We live in a curious time. Some might call it challenging times. For someone who was raised in the 1950s, post-World War II era — where God and country were spoken of with great reverence by my parents — Trump’s America is at odds with what I learned.

Starting with the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each class, I was standing with hand over heart to support our country, its values and the Constitution. The Bill of Rights was firmly in place and given strong commitment through the Pledge of Allegiance.

Having those rights of freedom of speech, religion and assembly was a given. We could worship a God of choice and speak our piece in the public square. Those “rights” have been debated, challenged and threatened. 

There are some who believe that their god is more appropriate than someone else’s. It is the core of the Bill of Rights that we have the freedom to worship as we choose. Religion has always been a topic of debate and challenge. Who we are as a nation is being challenged again by those who claim Christianity is/should be “our” religion. Trump’s posting himself as Jesus Christ on Truth Social is blasphemous and misleading.

The premise that there is only one true religion is absurd. While I appreciate their love of religious study and worship, who is to say that there is only one “God” or religious teaching to follow?

Aren’t there more pressing issues our nation needs to address first?

Sarah Scannell Hyde
Pownal