Separation of church and state

Regarding the opinion-page article `` `Wall of Separation' Outmoded,'' Nov. 26, an interview with Ronald Thiemann, dean of the Harvard Divinity School: The separation of church in the [United States] Constitution is not a matter of religion. It is a protection of democracy, a protection against despotism.

The Founding Fathers were aware of the despotic powers of Rome from about the fourth or fifth centuries to the 18th century and were adamant in preventing any religious group from gaining a toehold in government.

This provision has worked well for more than 200 years. Don't let wishy-washy liberalism defeat this powerful protection of democracy. Ede Osborn, Victoria, B.C.

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