Dear Editor,

Isn’t it amazing how those who cry “separation of church and state” always see it as a one way street. They send out the war cry every time someone dares to express their faith in public, while at the same time they push for more state control and regulation of church ministries.

We saw the issue play out in the Indiana House District 22 Republican primary this spring and we are facing the same issue in November’s election.

Curt Nisly believes that church ministries should remain free from excess government regulation, while David Kolbe has indicated that he favors more regulation and control.

Nisly believes in state sovereignty and the sanctity of marriage, while Kolbe agrees with the judges who blatantly overstepped their constitutional authority by overturning state law defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

It doesn’t take a prophet to see where this is headed. When government dictates that private citizens who own a private business must violate their Christian faith or be shut down, the church is next. They will say that since the church is a place of “public accommodation,” it must submit to government’s view on marriage and anything else they want to impose.

I know some will say this would never happen in America. But just a few years ago, many did not think we would ever reach the point we are now. Churches have already been sued for who they will and will not hire, and who can use church-owned property.

Christians need to get up out of the pew, get involved, and vote. It would be shameful and a shirking of our Biblical responsibility as Christians if we don’t.

On Nov. 4, I am voting for limited government, traditional marriage, and religious liberty. I am voting for Curt Nisly.

Rev. Mark Fishburn
Leesburg