“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

It is clear that our government is not allowed to force any type of religion on the people, and it’s also clear that neither can they prohibit a person from exercising what their religion teaches as right in the eyes of God. The clerk in Kentucky who has declined to issue a license for same-sex marriage is an example of what “the free exercise thereof” means. She had obeyed the laws of the state, but knew that when man’s law is against God’s, His comes first.

Those in power at this time have twisted the meaning and intent of the Constitution to suit their personal opinion, and reject what the Founders wrote after long and careful deliberation. Unfortunately, our nation no longer is engaging in such careful deliberation, as it is being replaced by actions more like a dictatorship.

It doesn’t have to stay this way, but if we don’t stand and fight for what the Founders gave us, we will lose even more of our freedom. The longer people get away with lies and deception, the greater the battle will be.

Dawn Dale

Hayes, Va.