Pastors cannot be forced to perform gay marriages
Re: “There’s no reason to trust Maryland liberals on marriage,” Feb. 13
In his commentary, Gregory Kane expresses the fear that somehow, by some mysterious and magical hocus-pocus, the homosexual lobby will crash its way into our churches and force pastors to perform gay wedding ceremonies.
Gays cannot in any way accomplish this legally. The language of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment is very clear: “Congress shall make no law … respecting the establishment and free practice of religion.”
“No law” means precisely that. There is no way gays can claim unconstitutional discrimination against them by religious leaders who, on account of church doctrine, refuse to perform gay marriage ceremonies.
Lawrence K. Marsh
Gaithersburg
Language-based charter schools lead to segregation
Re: “Hebrew, Arabic among 11 proposed new charter schools,” Feb. 12
As a former public school Spanish teacher, I think that starting publicly funded charter schools for Arabic or Hebrew language instruction is not a good idea, because such schools are quite likely to serve only narrow Muslim or Jewish student bodies.
If there is sufficient demand for Arabic or Hebrew language instruction, as there is for Spanish or Mandarin, then by all means offer the instruction in regular public schools.
Using language instruction to segregate — yes, segregate — kids is a sure way to further fragment our society.
Edd Doerr
Silver Spring
Birth control should not be covered by insurance
Re: “Under fire, Obama adjusts his birth control policy,”Feb. 10
Who’d think birth control could become a 21st century controversy? And for Catholics, it must seem like deja vu all over again.
However, I question why birth control should even be covered. Technically, you’re insured for the unexpected, and not for routine lifestyle choices. We clearly have become a nanny state built on the moocher philosophy.
I’m also tired of hearing this is a women-only matter. There is effective male birth control; namely, vasectomies. Preventing unwanted pregnancies is in everyone’s best interest.
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that is 99 percent effective and hopefully covered under the Obama’s mandate. And if not, then it’s outright discrimination.
Rosalind Ellis Heid
Baltimore
