Removing all signs of religion from society a disturbing trend

Angry is not the best word to describe how I feel — frightened is more accurate.

Today Alabama chief justice, Ray Moore was removed from his office. He refused to remove the religious monument of the Ten Commandments from state-owned property. To some it posed a conflict of the separation of church and state. But did Justice Moore ever force anyone to read these Ten Commandments?

In the courts is another case to take "one nation under God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance. Seems to me that there are already those who refuse to recite the pledge at all, and this is their choice. Another infamous court case removed all prayer from schools.

There is no state-enforced religion and there is freedom to practice or not practice any religion we choose. This is America, one nation under God. Believe in God or not. This is your choice.

But there are those who would take away my freedom to have religious symbols on public property. No Christmas trees, no Kwanzaa symbols, no Menorahs, etc. But how about Halloween symbols? Colliers Encyclopedia states that All Hollows Eve, Oct. 31, is derived from the Druids celebrating the day of Samar when the lord of death called together the souls of the wicked who had died during the past year.

The encyclopedia describes the Druids as members of the learned and priestly class who expounded the law in the Celtic British Isles and Gaul in Caesar’s day. Many authorities have inferred the Druids were an elaborate religious and political organization who wielded great political power. All who refused to obey were banished or slain.

So, we cannot have our Christian, Jewish, Muslim or other religious symbols on public property but it’s okay for the Druids? Do we really want every sign of God out of our public eye?

According to the encyclopedia, the Druids were brought to an end by the Romans and Christianity in the fifth century, but it looks to me like they have made a big comeback.

Opinions expressed in this section are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect Church teaching, nor the position of The Catholic Spirit or the Diocese of Metuchen.

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