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EDITOR:

A recent letter touted the separation of church and state as an American value. I thought it appropriate to clarify a few points regarding this issue in hope of shedding some light on a concept that has long been terribly distorted.

Contrary to popular belief, the original intent of the separation of church and state was to keep the state out of the church, PERIOD. It was not intended to keep the church out of the state. Our Constitution guarantees us religious freedom from governmental interference, but yet our nation was founded on Christian beliefs, examples of which can still be seen today in our laws, in our courts, and in our government. [ Mr. Clonts is just wrong on the original intent. I suggest a good remedial course in american civics, with lots of readings of the works of James Madison. The Constitution guarantees us religious freedom from governmental interference, and part of that guarantee is that no religion (Christian or otherwise) will have an undue influence on government. ]

If the true intent of separation of church and state was to keep the church out of government, why would our government proclaim on each and every piece of U.S. currency "In God We Trust"? [ While it is true that Christianity had a large influence on the framers of the constitution, it is *not* true that "In God We Trust" on our money means that the government does not want the separation of church and state. ]

The truth is that many non-believers have twisted the intent given the separation of church and state concept by our founduing fathers and used this as a tool to divorce our nation from God altogether. To a large degree, non-believesr have succeeded through ongoing legal battles, but many believe that has lead us as a nation into a moral vacuum. [ The original intent is clear once you read the contemporaneous writings of Madison, Jefferson, and the record of the Senate debate over the text of the 1st ammendment. The framers of the constitution emerged from a system of theistic monarchy and wanted to insure that no one religion or denomination gained ascendency over the others. ]

Our morals have become relative. We've all heard it. "If it feels good, do it." Our daily news has become a reflection of our personal beliefs and national moral deficit.

And remember, the next time you hear someone calling you one, or someone else "intolerant" or "politically incorrect" because of your moral values, just remember this, "Those who believe in nothing will generally fall for anything." [ So if I say you are intolerant, obviously I believe in nothing? I'm a Christian. Joshua Bress is Jewish. Whatever else you care to believe about us, we certainly believe in *something*.