ART: Goodlander has right analysis

Thank you for the balanced approach taken in the "Art ouster sought" article. I specifically write in support of Council Member Deanne Goodlander, who seems to understand the First Amendment's Free Exercise and Non-Establishment clauses.

Regardless of what some people might want, the government cannot favor one religion over another. In fact, since 1963 in School District of Abington Township v. Schempp, the land's highest courts have ruled that government action must both be neutral as to religion and have a secular legislative purpose or have a primary purpose that neither advances nor inhibits religion.

Regarding the statue of the Hindu god Ganesha; the purpose of the City Council is neutral (allowing a Hindu and Christian statue) and is to promote art in public spaces (a secular purpose). However, if the council is to act to remove the statue, it must also remove the statue of St. Francis of Assisi because it would be promoting one religion over another. For that matter, the city would need to remove any other public display that promotes religion.

Personally, I support removing all religious iconography from public spaces. This community is basically covered in Christian crosses displayed from private land. There is at least one billboard displaying a Bible verse to anyone who drives on I-90. You can't even go to a coffee shop without running into someone doing a Bible study. We don't need to display more religious imagery in our public spaces.

That being said, I support Council Member Goodlander's position thoroughly.

JOSHUA STUDOR

Coeur d'Alene