To the Editor:

Kudos to Bob Scott, mayor of Franklin, for his decision to take his oath of office on the U.S. Constitution rather than the Bible. I applaud a man manifesting the courage to “do what is right, not popular,” by taking an action, both symbolic and significant, to stand for the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.

His statement, “Our government should not favor one group of people over another, and that is what you do when you allow religion into government,” puts Mayor Scott in exceedingly good company. Witness:

• “If I could conceive that the general government might ever be so administered as to render the liberty of conscience insecure ... no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution.” George Washington, 1789.

• “In regard to religion, mutual toleration in the different professions thereof is what all good and candid minds in all ages have ever practiced ....” Samuel Adams, 1771.

• “Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law. Take away the law-establishment, and every religion re-assumes its original benignity.” Thomas Paine, 1791.

• “I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people [which] built a wall of separation between Church and State.” Thomas Jefferson, 1802.

• “Christian establishments tend to great ignorance and corruption, all of which facilitate the execution of mischievous projects.” James Madison, 1774.

• “During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution.” James Madison, 1785. 

Those who contend that the United States was founded as a strictly Christian country do not know their history. Our forefathers cited above knew firsthand the perils and “mischief” (oppression and persecution) that a merger of two powerful institutions, uninhibited by legal and constitutional restraints, could inflict on religious minorities. As a wise person has said, “Those who do not know their history are condemned to repeat it.”

Mayor Bob Scott not only knows his history, but by his actions is in line with the best of our history, stands with others as a bulwark protecting our constitutional rights and freedoms. The people of Franklin are in good hands.

Doug Wingeier, 

Waynesville