Setting record straight on church/state separation

Setting record straight on church/state separation
EDITOR:
I remain amazed at the number of Americans whose beliefs are not formed on facts but on opinion.
James Madison said that we have staked the whole future of our civilization on the ability of each of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God. Benjamin Rush, another founder, wrote a pamphlet explaining why the Bible should be used in schools as a textbook.
Anyone who has read the Constitution and especially the congressional debates on the First Amendment knows that there is no such thing as a "Constitutional separation of church and state." There is no separation of church and state in the Constitution, nor in the writings, words or actions of the Founding Fathers. Our founders knew that America was founded on the principles of Jesus Christ, and on that foundation we must remain.
It is for that very reason that people of all faiths have freedom of religion here, as Patrick Henry said. Our nation was not founded by Muslims, atheists, Buddhists, etc., but on Christianity.
The Founding Fathers publicly supported Christianity, and they knew it was not unconstitutional. It is still not unconstitutional. Our founders did not want one denomination of Christianity set up as the official national denomination as there was in England, as the Congressional debates show.
Before any more editors, politicians, lawyers, judges, etc., continue to speak about the mythical "separation of church and state," I would urge them to learn the truth according to our Founding Fathers. Even Thomas Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptists containing the "wall of separation" phrase only promised that the government would not interfere with the Baptist practices.
PAUL MILLER
McDonald
Let's encourage Congressto act on stroke measure
EDITOR:
Congress missed a great opportunity last year to save lives from the nation's third leading killer -- stroke. I hope it doesn't let its chance pass once again.
Approximately 700,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year, and I was one of them. I survived, but as many as 170,000 people don't. Last year, the U.S. Senate passed the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act (STOP Stroke Act) -- legislation that could help patients who suffer strokes get faster and better treatment.
Nearly half of the House supported the bill, but it was never able to act. Unfortunately, despite the great momentum built around this bill last year, this year's Congress has yet to act and the bill has not been reintroduced. The STOP Stroke Act seeks to strengthen our nation's health-care system to allow it to treat this devastating disease more effectively.
Stroke claims a life every 3.3 minutes, so we can't afford to waste any more time. Congress must work on behalf of the 4.5 million Americans who live with the consequences of stroke and pass this important piece of legislation this season. The House and Senate should grab this opportunity to take action now, so that we can save lives in the future.
LYN D. HEMMINGER, Ph.D
Youngstown
Other OSU players needsupport, attention of fans
EDITOR:
Does the media know there are 10 other fine athletes on the Ohio State team?
Maurice Clarett did not win any football games solo. Yes, he is an exceptional young man with much talent, but he screwed up, big time. This may be due to his youth, inexperience or his inability to cope with the stress of all the hype the media threw at him.
Let it rest and let him deal with the consequences of his actions. Ohio State does not deserve the announcers' constantly harping on the loss of this one teammate who has disgraced himself. The team needs to know that its fans are there for them all, not just one player.
MARGARET MULLEN
Youngstown