
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 24, 1994                    TAG: 9406240024 
SECTION: FRONT                     PAGE: A12    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Short 
DATELINE: 940624                                 LENGTH:

SERVING UP HATRED

{LEAD} I was shocked and angered by the raw hatred and close-mindedness expressed by op-ed columnist Cal Thomas about the ``pagan left'' (June 15).

He seemed to say that Christians are the only people contributing something of value to America, and that religious diversity, rather than overpopulation or class separation, is causing the social ills we experience today.

{REST} Right-wing activists and Americans in general need to realize that morals are relative. Morality is by definition the code of conduct of one person. If all people are created equal, it is pure oppression to force one person's morals upon another.

Why does the Christian right have the power to nullify separation of church and state and enforce its beliefs upon those who do not worship its God?

ANDREW A. JOHNSON

Chesapeake, June 20, 1994

by CNB