My faith informs my politics, too

Two letters worth reading twice from today's Rapid City Journal. The first is a right-on "come-to-Jesus" for the right wing; the second, straight talk about the much-lied-about "rape and incest exception--er--provision" included in the contested abortion ban up for a vote on Tuesday.

Vote for moderation

There's a bumper sticker with a Sinclair Lewis quote saying, "When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." It's unclear whether or not those were Lewis' words. That was Lewis' message, however, in his last great novel, "It Can't Happen Here," as a warning should Americans forget their core values.

When I see politicians wave Bibles at Americans telling us this is what our founding fathers wanted, I have to wonder if they flunked American Government. (For those interested in broadening your horizons, read, "The Godless Constitution: A Moral Defense of the Secular State.")
(Here's a great discussion of this topic from The Nation --RR)

I am a Christian. My faith informs my politics. My faith guides my thinking and my actions toward my neighbors and strangers.

But in a million years, I wouldn't dream of saying, "Well, since my faith works for me, it's gonna work for the rest of South Dakotans, too."

I'm tired of being told how to live, what's moral, what's sinful and even unlawful based on a well-funded group of malevolent, so-called Christians. Aren't you?

On Nov. 7, vote for moderation. No on C! No on 6! Vote for the Democrat! Vote for Katus, Nolan and Hemmingsen!

BETHANY WOJAHN

Rapid City

Here's that second letter, concerning the fake emergency contraception "exception" that apparently almost half us believe in:

Barbaric

One thing I learned in my several years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children was that young victims tend to keep sexual abuse hidden. To expect these girls to avail themselves of emergency contraception to avoid becoming pregnant is unrealistic, even ridiculous.

Their sex education may be so limited that they cannot anticipate pregnancy as a consequence of the abuse, let alone the need for a "morning after" pill. They are often so traumatized and ashamed by the abuse, and intimidated by threats of violence from the perpetrator if they tell anyone about it, that they are unwilling to trust another adult with their awful secret. And what perpetrator is going to implicate himself by seeking emergency contraception for his victim?

To force young girls to carry to term a pregnancy resulting from rape or incest is barbaric. Vote No on HB1215! (RL6 is the referendum to overturn HB1215 -RR)

MARY NELSON KEITHAHN

Rapid City