The My Turn opinion piece penned by Vinetta Ruth Spencer in The Press on April 22 was spot-on, in my opinion. Our country was founded on Judeo/Christian principles of the Bible. The fact that the first commandment is “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” is all I need to determine my path of worship, though I respect others’ beliefs and their chosen path.

God has given us all the right of choice in every decision we make in life’s journey. If I followed scripture and studied the Word of God more closely, those decisions would be more easier made, as well as more pleasing to The Lord. Being human and a sinner, I too many times choose the worldly way, something I work on daily in my walk.

Our Founding Fathers did NOT include any “separation of church and state” text in either the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, but did include the words “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” in the text of our First Amendment. This was done to prevent the government from establishing a state religion such as England did, the foremost reason those amazingly brave pilgrims risked everything to choose their own path of worship.

Those early Americans and leaders frequently invoked the name of God in their daily lives, personal as well as professional, and in letters/writings preserved to this day. Though I respect and revere the freedom of all in America to worship as they choose, the day we are no longer a Christian nation is a day I will have a very difficult time reconciling in my heart and soul.

DAVE SHELDON

Hayden