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Tell us what you think!Send a letter to the editor about this or any other article in The Maine Campus.
RE: Religious crusaders …
To start off, I agree with the opinion that religious ideals should not be forced on the public [“Religious crusaders must choose causes, techniques wisely,” by Tyler Francke, 11/19/09]. Thanks to the First Amendment, there are many different religions that freely practice in this country, and we all know they don’t agree on several issues.
So if religion is allowed to have control over legislation, which religion should it be? We also need to take into account the 12 percent of Americans who don’t practice any religion. To these people, freedom of religion also means freedom from religion.
Francke wrote, “I doubt today’s outspoken secularists would be yelling for religious people to shut up if we were still fighting for women’s suffrage or the abolition of slavery.” This statement implies that religious groups were fighting in support of womens’ rights during the suffrage movement. I’m afraid Francke has this completely backwards.
Women are still fighting for equal rights. Religious groups led the fight against the suffrage movement. Christian conservatives see suffrage as being against the teachings of the Bible.
The Bible is oppressive to women. If you don’t believe me, try reading Leviticus. You will be shocked. To Francke, don’t be surprised when you get some nasty letters from several feminists on campus who are more articulate and far better informed than I am.
— Brian Barainca, first-year student
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