In 1555, the Reformation threw off the political power of the Roman Catholic church and ushered in the Age of Reason, which eventually made the United States of America a reality. And here we are….

Yes, here we are, returning back to the superstitions, the fantasies, the insanities of religion that so many people over the years have tried to cast off.

One of the primary issues that is being affected by these superstitions, fantasies and insanities is that of abortion.

The arguments against abortion are based not on reason, but on religion, made obvious by the plethora of Bible verses that are embedded in the letters to the editor. There are so many that you would think the entire alumni of Bob Jones University had retired to Kootenai County.

Because the arguments against abortion are based on religion, preventing women from exercising autonomy over their bodies is no less than a violation of their right to freedom of religion as stated in the First Amendment. Think of it: We are withholding a basic human right from over half of our citizens.

Let us continue to cast off the remnants of religion’s power by allowing women the freedom to control their own bodies according to the dictates of their own consciences.

JOE LYKINS

Coeur d’Alene