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In Colbert Levy's article "The pulpit and politics" on July 16, she said:"Most Americans recognize the separation of church and state as a fundamental percept of the founding fathers." If that were the case, they would certainly have included the phrase either in the Constitution itself or in the Bill of Rights. It is not in either nor can it be implied to be. It was, however, in Article 52 of the constitution of the Soviet Union.

In 1802, 15 years after the Constitution was written, Thomas Jefferson penned it in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association. He was explaining that the First Amendment could not establish one denomination of the Christian church over another.

It was not a fundamental precept of the founding fathers. In fact, President Washington said, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports..."

John Adams said "Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can surely stand."

Benjamin Franklin, called for prayer at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 by saying, "...I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service."

He place the security of our republic squarely in the hands of God.

These are a few of the hundreds of such quotes by the framers of our liberty. They knew that the foundation of all Western law is based on the Ten Commandments. If we are wise, we will heed their words.

Doris Zimmerman

Craig