To the editor:

A recent letter from a local DeSantis promoter praised the inclusion of religious discussions in our public schools because religion binds much of the world population together. This is just sloppy history. Last time I checked, major conflicts with horrendous death tolls were often religion based. For example, the 30 years war deep populated vast tract in Germany and the English Civil War killed off almost 2% of the total British population. Modern conflicts that feature a strong religious component (God is on their side according to the respective participants) include the Israel-Palestine endless war, Pakistan versus India and Iran versus Iraq.

The point here is the framers of our Constitution recognized the potential threat religion composed to a civil and ordered society when government chooses sides. That’s why there’s no religious test section in article 6, clause 3. It reads “… No religious test will ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” This came at a time when nine of the original 13 states had religious tests for public office and demonstrates that such were these as Washington, Adams, Franklin, Madison and Hamilton understood the importance and utilities of separation of church and state. Effective governance in a diverse nation requires compromise to get things done. When political opponents look across the aisle and see their counterparts on the wrong side of God, then compromise becomes sinful and impossible.

Our constitution is certainly not perfect, but the original intent concerning religion in public life is clear and prudent. As citizens we are free to worship in the church, synagogue, mosque, Temple, grove of trees or open field of our choice. That’s the “free exercise” clause that guarantees religious liberty in the First Amendment. However, the conceit that government should educate in religious matters is a road rejected by our founding fathers because history has shown that path is too often the proverbial highway to hell.

Herb Smith

St. James City