Thinks 'victory' for Board of Education marks 'a sad day'

It's sad to see another curtailment of rights for Christians hailed as a "victory" for the Board of Education. In fact, the decision of the Supreme Court not to hear Coach Marcus Borden's case ("Game Over: Board of Ed Victorious Over Coach," Sentinel, March 5) amounts to a victory only for those who wish to see a Godless world shoved down the throats of American citizens.

I am the pastor of an East Brunswick church (The Old Bridge Baptist Church) as well as an attorney (Georgetown University, '91). I would like to point out that the text of the First Amendment, which not many people have actually read, states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." It does not mandate the "separation of church and state" nor does it create a "wall of separation."

In fact, as you will note, it clearly states that the government may not prohibit the free exercise of religion. When was the last time we saw the courts enforce that portion of the Constitution? The answer is never.

We protect every right under the sun in this country, but our right to worship as we desire, even though it is specifically mandated in the First Amendment to the Constitution, is ignored casually — not even ignored, but trampled underfoot, and, tragically, this is hailed as a "victory" for the Board of Education. It is a sad day.
The Rev. William Nowak
Old Bridge Baptist Church
East Brunswick