Letter: Forcing religious compliance divides nation

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001 | 9:02 a.m.

Much is said about Afghanistan's Taliban and the religious restrictions that government imposes on its people, such as insisting the men's beards be a certain length or women wearing particular clothing, among other religious impositions. The Taliban's religious-based laws have been part of the argument against how the Taliban rules its people.

Yet our own, presumably secular, government has created similar religious impositions in this country -- and is contemplating even more.

In 1954 our government changed the Pledge of Allegiance by adding, "under God." The House of Representatives just passed a nonbinding resolution on a vote of 404 to 0, expressing the "sense of the Congress" that public schools may post "God Bless America."

There are two bills before Congress that will give churches and other houses of worship unprecedented powers to begin openly endorsing political candidates, campaigning, and lobbying to influence legislative issues while still retaining their special privileged, tax-exempt status. And many local governments are going against recent Supreme Court decisions and openly posting the Ten Commandments in government buildings and schools.

Our government, and its citizens, must understand that forcing various religious compliance is separating, rather than uniting this country. And this can lead to trouble, just as it has in Afghanistan and other countries.

JERRY STURDIVANT