I disagree with the Los Angeles Times editorial printed on June 20 that states that the Catholic Church is making up this government infringement on our religious liberty.

The loss of our religious freedom began 50 years ago this year when prayer was banned in public schools. That step has evolved into: No mention of God, Christianity, creation in schools and no children’s Christmas parties. Now they are called holiday parties.

Employees cannot wish anyone merry Christmas; it’s happy holidays. Prayers can no longer be said before public meetings without threat of a lawsuit and even saying the Pledge of Allegiance and mentioning God can result in a lawsuit.

Crosses are removed from veterans’ cemeteries and hills overlooking cities; displays of the holy family and Jewish menorahs are removed from public places, the Ten Commandments were removed from a court house, and now Christian businesses are being forced to pay for abortion pills and contraceptives.

The First Amendment says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

To me, that means the government can make no law that forces us to do something that is against our morals or conscience. The church does not ask for special treatment, simply the rights of religious freedom for all citizens.

As the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said: ” A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.”

If an employee doesn’t like the health insurance a Catholic business or organization provides, he or she has the choice of working somewhere else, since this is a free country, or is it? Ask yourself, what is next?

Connie Craven

Corinna