We can’t impose beliefs on others

Letter writer Marsha Heisley has every right to her own religious beliefs (“How does public prayer hurt school?” Sunday). However, she does not have the right to impose her Christian beliefs on other citizens or presume that her own beliefs take precedence.

How would she feel about a school-sanctioned Hindu or Muslim prayer at the West Branch High School? Would she feel her Christian beliefs were being pushed aside or ignored? Wouldn’t she be offended if that happened? How does she know that all the team’s players are of the Christian faith?

I don’t “stomp on” her right to Christian beliefs, although I would never equate that belief in a particular religion would equal being “a good citizen.” Just look at all those “Christian” priests, politicians, etc. who mouth their “Christian” values and are pedophiles, cheat on their spouses and steal from their parishioners.

I raised my own children to have good morals and obey our laws. However, no particular religion can claim credit for them being “good citizens.”

Therefore to answer the question “How does public prayer hurt school,” any public school funded with tax dollars does not have the right to sanction prayer focusing on any set of religious beliefs — either mine or Heisley’s. To do so alienates others of different beliefs and infringes on the First Amendment rule of law.

C.J. Leppert Columbus watched many television shows concerning the school shooting in Florida. Everyone is surprised that such a horrendous event can occur.

I am not surprised at all that a deranged person will find a way to wreak havoc. What I am surprised at is that in this country supposedly sane people can treat the POTUS with such hatred, disdain, name-calling, etc., and think it is OK.

Wayne Glasgow Reynoldsburg restrictions enumerated — for our safety and recreational use. There are three times as many people killed every year by automobiles. Why don’t we make cars illegal?

Gun opponents point out guns are made to kill, cars are not. Tell that to all the people who died by car and see if they agree.

We must focus on the facts many other things are more dangerous than guns.

The problem is not guns, it is the condition of man’s heart; people dedicated to do evil, will. The twin towers attack did not involve guns, nor did Timothy McVeigh use guns.