To the Editor:

I have read several online stories about the banner case, and the horrible treatment that a young high school student is receiving because she dared to stand up for her rights and opinions, a privilege guaranteed to her by this nation's Constitution.
To those who have threatened this girl, to those who have unleashed their ignorance and fear and directed it at her, know this: the world sees you. Not only does the God you think you serve know all the vile things you do, and take displeasure at them, the world around you sees it too, and we are appalled. I know we are enjoined not to judge, but it is hard to escape the conclusion that those who would make a death threat against this young lady, who would think that the enforced lack of religion in a public school is an attack on their faith or official support for atheism is just ignorant beyond belief. Words fail me to try and describe these people, but UnAmerican and UnChristian certainly fit the bill.
The American ideal is that religion should be personal and private. The Founding Fathers looked back on a mother country that had a state religion, saw the myriad troubles and pains that came from it, and took a different and wiser course. They made a nation where any Christian could pursue their faith in whatever way they thought best. At the same time, they also founded a place where those who are not Christian - Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buhddists, Sikhs, Bahais and, yes, Atheists, could believe or not believe as suited their personal conscience. It is troubling, deeply troubling to see uninformed, hateful persons take such vile actions against their fellow citizens. They show a profound lack of understanding of the U. S. Constitution, and their Holy Book.
It is amazing to me that this episode of religious intolerance, faithful bigotry and outright ignorance and cruelty happened in a state originally founded to ensure religious freedom.

Sincerely
Mark Passerrello
Columbus, Ohio