Religious Discrimination

Re “Plan to Permit Faith-Based Gay Bias Dies,” July 11: President Bush’s idea of religious organizations providing social services with taxpayer funds is a bad one. Most religious establishments are tainted with prejudice, ignorance and discrimination toward any number of groups of people who do not agree with their dogma. These religious organizations can already legally discriminate on religious grounds when hiring.

And, on top of that, Bush wanted to seal a back-door deal with the Salvation Army to make sure there won’t be any trouble with those pesky gays and lesbians. As a gay man, I object to my tax dollars going to an organization that can legally refuse to hire me. It really frustrates me! Oh well, what’s the use? I might as well go and join the Army.

Jim Phillips

Pasadena