To the editor:

In a recent letter to the editor, dated Oct. 6, Mr. John Troutman attempted to defend separation of church and state, and the A.C.L.U., or, "All Christmas Lights Unplugged".

Mr. Troutman even mentioned that there were several preachers involved, but "he didn't know how that works." There are several preachers in jail, and probably several in hell, but I'm not sure how that works.

Mr. Troutman was adamant concerning Christianity not laying the foundation for "the Government of the United States."

May I, humbly and reverently, quote the "Father of our Country", and several other Founding Fathers, so that we Americans will know why this country has been blessed for over two hundred years.

"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor." -- George Washington, Commander-in-Chief in the American Revolution, Signer of the Constitution, First President of the United States.

"Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe." -- James Madison, Signer of the Constitution, Fourth President of the United States.

"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their own firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever." -- Thomas Jefferson, signer and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Third President of the United States.

"Is it not that in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?" -- John Quincy Adams, Sixth President of the United States.

"Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that Law which is Divine ... Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other." -- James Wilson, signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and original Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Troutman, I concur with our Founding Fathers and Mr. Charlie Fipps: "There is no such thing as separation of church and state."

If you have a problem dealing with a Christian government, then I think there are enough Christians willing to buy tickets for you and the members of "The A.C.L.U." (yes, the preachers, too) to Cuba.

That's the least we could do for our school children. Maybe they could learn who the real Anointed One is!

God Bless America

Bob Redding

Laurinburg