Letters to the Editor | April 27, 2023

The danger of religious nationalists who claim to know God’s will and to spread the gospel of intolerance, bigotry, and violence continues to intensify as witnessed by the rise in antisemitism and the undermining of our education system. This vocal, extremist group calling themselves Christian nationalists (not to be confused with Christianity) states that our country must subscribe exclusively to one religion, in contradiction to the First Amendment of the Constitution, which states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Some members of our Congress and several state governors are working hard to purify our country of “the others” and pepper their speeches with outof-context biblical quotes that they use to support hatred, exclusion, and division. These politicians who have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution are proposing bills targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. The misuse of these texts to promote ignorance and division, and the ugly social tribalism which often results in violence, is unacceptable and needs to be addressed by all of us.

Anne Hill, Gwynedd

As a former public high school social studies teacher, I am appalled at what is happening to the educational system in our country. Books are being banned from libraries, LGBTQ rights are under attack, and sex education is being restricted. In some places, the teaching of slavery and the history of discrimination are being forbidden. This reactionary movement is reminiscent of the eras of book burning, Puritanism, segregation, and Jim Crow laws. The progress this country has achieved since then is being undermined by governors such as Florida’s Ron DeSantis and Texas’ Greg Abbott, the rightwing lawmakers of the Republican Party, and sympathetic school boards. Texas is now proposing the posting of the Ten Commandments in all classrooms, the reading of the Bible and prayers in public schools, and allowing teachers to engage in religious speech and prayer while performing their duties. What happened to the doctrine of separation of church and state? Apparently, it only applies if it goes against their beliefs. Will a student be allowed to read the Quran, the Talmud, or any other non-Christian writing? What if a teacher is a non-Christian, will he or she be allowed to exercise religious speech? I could not teach in today’s environment. My classes were encouraged to engage in debating controversial topics. I purposely played devil’s advocate to foster a healthy discussion. I wanted my students to hear both sides of an issue to make them better informed and draw their own conclusions. Where is this country heading?

Richard Zanoni, Edgewater Park

As someone who is 94 years old, I am amazed at the fuss over President Joe Biden planning to run again for the presidency in 2024. There is nothing wrong at all, and it is possibly the same as if he were only 50 or even younger. Are you aware that by 2050, it is estimated that worldwide there will be over 400 million people who are 80 years old? Accordingly, it is very respectfully suggested that you should get used to older people being totally involved. You certainly don’t expect us older folks to stop in our tracks.

Edwin E. Scully, Philadelphia

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