Don’t silence Christians

I am writing in response to the letter, “Don’t allow certain ads,” that appeared on the July 12 editorial page. I have one question for the author of that letter: What about freedom of speech? You certainly have the right to express your opinion, and the newspaper can print paid advertising. Yes, there is separation of church and state, but I don’t think that means that all evidence of Christianity is to be removed everywhere, as nonbelievers would have it. We Christians have rights that I feel are being trampled upon, and I want to know when that is going to stop. I am tired of people like you trying to silence us Christians. Prayers at any public functions offend you? I am offended by the absence of one. You are offended by seeing crosses? I am offended by the absence of the cross. But prayers have stopped and crosses removed. Seems as though you have more rights already than we do.

I say, shame on you and you are free to not read what offends you. Thank you Hobby Lobby for standing up for what you believe.

Diane Mount

Bend

Don’t promote intolerance

Freedom of speech reigned supreme, and I say good for Hobby Lobby and The Bulletin. Hobby Lobby has every right to free speech, The Bulletin has every right to accept money for ads, and you and I have every right to read or turn the page.

Separation of church and state applies to our government, not to individuals or groups. Intolerance is what totalitarian regimes employ.

Susan Harkness Williams

Sunriver

Legal process should take place first

After several years in the valley, I moved back to Central Oregon and was happy to learn of the efforts to establish a four-year college here. Definitely a needed benefit for the entire area. The more I read and heard, the more the editorials and support pointed to a four-year school for Bend. A recent poll was taken, 300 Bend residents, Bulletin editorials and letter statements of many supporters verified this attitude.

On June 12, an “In My View” article by Ed Ray and Becky Johnson stated several times for Central Oregon, but anyone who can look at a map will see that from any access direction it is to be a four-year campus that is well-integrated into the Bend community.

Now we learn construction has started even though a legal process is taking place. It reminds me of how several years ago property owners throughout the state started cramming work and dollars into developing property so that they would have so much invested that the state lands people would not comfortably say “no.” It seems the same government bureaucrat attitude is taking place in this situation. This action and attitude, without a public vote of Central Oregonians, loses my support.

Bruce Brown

Redmond

Public library donations

Thank you for the article regarding the Friends of the Redmond Branch Library. I was surprised to find out that my donations to FORBL might be distributed to organizations other than the library. Since my intent is to support the library, I will no longer donate to Friends. My donation will go right to Deschutes Public Library.

Kathi Hayward

Redmond

Where will the parking be?

So much is written about the proposed four-year college for Oregon State University-Cascades Campus. Opponents are fighting against the location college officials selected.

Common sense should prevail. St. Charles hospital had the foresight to move out of the city and look at the businesses and residences that have followed. You build these two- to five-story buildings, where is there room for parking? Seems to me you want to build a larger city of 250,000 to 300,000 out of a small city like Bend.

Bruno Baer

Bend