
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 9, 1992                   TAG: 9203090215
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

OUTLAW MINISTERS' RUNNING FOR OFFICE

I THINK the time is long overdue for government to crack down and outlaw so-called ministers who run for public offices.

This is a violation of our Constitution's separation of church and state. Some are campaigning on tax-free money taken from their church treasuries, and other sources.

After these ministers get into office, their decisions are based on their religious beliefs in regard to abortion, civil rights, etc.

As a retiree from Northern Virginia and a former subscriber to The Washington Post, I know this was a frequent occurrence in our nation's capital. Many of those running for public office have a "minister" title attached to their name. Most are self-proclaimed fundamentalist preachers, tax-exempt.

I am a Christian and believer who does not believe in using religion as a crutch to gain political offices. JOHN AYRES LEXINGTON

by CNB