Pilgrims, also known as Puritans, founded the Massachusetts Colony and unless you were a Puritan, you were not allowed to vote or own land.
Our founding fathers did not want a government based on or controlled by any one religion. Hence, the separation of church and state.
The First Amendment guarantees the freedom of religion, in so much as it does not impose on the rights of others. Reference to God is not specific to a particular religion, as many acknowlege the same God. Many faiths fought for our independence, and all voted for our government.
As far as “being soft on terrorism,” the only way to eliminate the threat of terrorist strikes would be to shut our borders and ban international travel. Even then, true terrorists will find a way to attack us.
We cannot restrict anyone’s right to travel, nor can we deny anyone his or her basic freedoms or rights without due process. And it is only a few twisted Muslims who twist their faith.
We will only compound that if we take vengeance on a group for the actions of a few.
Robert H. Brady Jr.
Dayton