To the Editor:
For those people who are offended when I say "Merry Christmas", I’m sorry. I am only expressing
my beliefs and my Faith, I am not ‘offending’ you or yours. But by your ‘offense’ you are being
disrespectful to me and my rights, and therefore I am offended.
In your mind, I may sound offensive and even insensitive, but you are violating my constitutional rights
of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion. The First Amendment to our Constitution reads,
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech . . ."
As American citizens you have rights, but then so do I. My Faith may be ‘offensive’ to you, but it isn’t
unconstitutional. If you want respect for your viewpoints and your beliefs, show some respect for mine
and allow me to say "Merry Christmas" without any infringing upon my rights as an American or
any expressions of my Faith.
Herb Dettmer
Bowling Green