The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits our government from establishing a religion. The Community Library Network (CLN) is part of our government. CLN cannot order our libraries to close on the Christian Sabbath (Sunday) in order to comply with Christian practices. This would clearly be establishing a religion. He may do so for secular reasons, but none of that is mentioned in the editorial. The board of trustees’ decision to close was made for good reasons, but it was wrong, that’s all. There is no need for further discussion.

However, the editor preferred to continue. He mocked Christians by portraying them as primitive snake tamers who apparently lived “in the jungle.” I note that his comments “…perpetuate discrimination…on the basis of religion…” in violation of the newspaper’s own Letters Policy. Sauce for goose?

The editor’s inflated sense of superiority and diminished sensitivity are clear and distressing. He needs to apologize. I pray twice a day until the symptoms improve.

Push back.

BOB THIESSEN

Coeur d’Alene