From your March 5 edition are two interesting articles: In the first one, at a prayer breakfast, a government official (Provo Mayor, Lewis Billings), is quoted as saying, "I have always found those who are seeking a supreme deity are those who are our best citizens." Always?! Turn over the page and read about a man guilty of sexually abusing children: "Van Wagoner was able to use his leadership position in the Mormon Church to gain trust of male students."

Obviously, Billings needs a reality check, a lesson on the separation of church and state and a profound look at his biases. Isn't it horribly ironic how so many local politicians wave the banner of religion to get re-elected, thereby breaking the fundamental law of the land. Honestly, Mayor Billings, research confirms that most criminals in U.S. prisons believe in God. And believe it or not, most of us non-theists pay our taxes, obey the law, serve the community, believe in this great country and fully support the U.S. Constitution, with a REAL fondness for the First Amendment.

--Adrienne Morris
published in the Provo Daily Herald on March 10, 1999