IN THEORY:

A group supporting separation of church and state recently sued Rancho Cucamonga after a billboard on Route 66 that read “Imagine No Religion” was removed and destroyed. The Freedom From Religion Foundation argued in the lawsuit that a city official contacted the billboard company after receiving many complaints about the sign. Reports vary, but one account said a city official denied asking the billboard company to take down the sign, but confirmed that the city relayed the number of complaints. Do you think it would be appropriate for city officials to be involved in this case, no matter how many complaints it receives?

As our country accommodates religion, so it must accommodate non-religion and even (or especially!) anti-religious sentiments.

We live in a secular, democratic state founded on a deep aversion to theocracy. We support our institutions without believing that they are God-directed.

Let Jefferson’s insight guide our response: “One of the amendments to the Constitution expressly declares that ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,’ thereby guarding in the same sentence and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press; insomuch that whatever violates either throws down the sanctuary which covers the others.”

Yes, freedom of speech is as crucial to our democracy as freedom of (or freedom from) religious belief.

Rabbi Mark Miller

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach

What is more traditionally American than the separation of church and state? Washington, Adams, Franklin, Paine, Jefferson, Monroe, Madison and most others involved in the founding of our country were all supporters of that principle. Thus, Rancho Cucamonga should not have been involved in this silly and officious reaction in any way, even if it were only to the extent of simply relaying complaints to the billboard company.

What could be wrong with the mere consideration of the possibility that religions may not be necessary or true. For one religion to be true, many others must be false. Apparently, the religious nuts who objected to the billboard believe that no one is supposed to imagine a better world, without petty disagreements on arbitrary behavior or proper beliefs. Clearly, different religions have different views and thus promote conflicts. So, sit back, relax and “Imagine No Religion.” It could be very therapeutic!

Jerry Parks

Member, Humanist Assn. of Orange County

Yes, I do believe it was appropriate for the city to let the sign company know of the large number of complaints it received. The sign was inappropriate and in bad taste. It appears to have been timed to offend Christians during the season when we remember the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a little mystified as to why an organization would need to be formed under the name, “Freedom from Religion Foundation.” All men are born “free from religion,” but some of us have chosen to submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in response to His love and mercy. No one should be forced to adopt any particular “religion,” but I do not think it is appropriate to deliberately offend any peaceful religious group during one of its most holy celebrations. Two thousand years ago, above the hills surrounding Bethlehem, the angels displayed a spectacular lighted “billboard.” Their message was not “Imagine No Atheists,” but instead it was, “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men.” My message to the Freedom From Religion Foundation would be, Merry Christmas!

Pastor Dwight Tomlinson

Liberty Baptist Church