To the Editor:

I staunchly agree with Christopher Longo’s argument in “Citizens have the right to develop their own convictions” (The Altamont Enterprise, Sept. 23, 2021).

Although Mr. Longo wrote about vaccine mandates, I expressed the same principles to myself as I listened to the federal House of Representatives argue the abortion bill. Many who spoke against the bill invoked religious principles as though their own religion was the official religion of the United States. 

Some prayed, as though prayer were a convincing line of reasoning. One quoted his archbishop, as though that religious leader’s words applied to all citizens.

Mr. Longo averred that these kinds of statements were “an egregious attack on the rights established by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The freedom of religion afforded U.S. citizens by this First Amendment is not confined to the statements of one individual representing one religious group.”

Mr. Longo concluded, “Our elected officials need to find new ways to connect with all of their constituents and continue to operate within the bounds of the constitutions they agreed to follow.”

I hope that the Supreme Court of the United States understands this fundamental foundation of our country as well.

Edie Abrams

New Scotland