Dear Editor:
It looks as though last Monday's letter complaining about the fish symbol on the back of a local cruiser has stirred up quite a bit of controversy. While I disagree with the premise of the letter, I respect the author's right to express her opinion and be heard.
My point, though, is that everyone from musical performers, to the television/movie industry, to the art world seems to be quick to point out that the freedom of speech covers their expression. Yet it seems that those same people are not willing to acknowledge a Christian's right to express their most deeply held conviction for fear that they might offend someone who believes differently.
I understand that the real issue is that the fish symbol was placed on government property. I understand the separation of church and state. Our founding fathers also saw it appropriate to place "In God We Trust" on our currency. Those same early founders opened legislative meetings with prayer. The Bible was taught as part of the curriculum in our earliest schools. What does that say about the founding fathers' intentions regarding the separation of church and state? Wouldn't they have vehemently opposed such actions if they found them unconstitutional? Those actions seem much more blatant to me than a fish symbol. Could it be that we have over-extended the original intent of the church/state separation clause? Let's give Christians the same freedom of expression that we give everyone else in our country.
