It is troublesome to read Times Observer letters and columnists, and listen to ultra right media views that are based on the assumption that America is or should be a Christian theocracy.

America’s house of worship has many and varied rooms similar to the many and various branches of my family tree.

My Mother’s Father’s Landis family branch moved from Alsace-Lorraine to Zurich, Switzerland. They were Anabaptist who believed in adult baptism and strict obedience to the scriptures which often got them in trouble with the civil authority. Hans Landis, a preacher and leader of the believers, was beheaded in 1614 for his beliefs and actions. During the late 1600s and 1700s the Landis’ and other Anabaptists migrated to Pennsylvania, lured by William Penn’s 1701 Charter of Religious Freedom Charter. They were Mennonites.

Other branches of the family tree include ministers, believers, doubters, and deniers of the Word of various religions.

From Colonial Pennsylvania, to the 1776 Declaration of Independence, to the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791, and on, all ministers, believers, doubters, and deniers were granted religious freedom, without governmental interference. All citizens are equal under the law and all share common rights.

The United States has no state religion, never has. We have separation of church and state. Our state provides umbrella protection under which religious freedom functions. Historically (11th – 17th century) fighting over religion was the major cause of war and people being killed. Currently territorial expansion and political ideologies are the main reason for war, though fighting over religion remains a cause.

America’s Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1630, was a Puritan based Christian theocracy. A selected group of religious/governmental leaders dictated acceptable behavior: dress, church attendance, etc.- similar to present day Iran’s theocracy arrangement.

It is estimated that 63% of Americans are Christian and that 45% of Americans think America should be a Christian theocracy. The 45% form the bulk of the Christian Nationalism movement, which is the bedrock of Trump supporters.

A Christian theocracy would be rebuke of history. It would be unconstitutional for a majority to force its religious precepts on the 37% of Americans of other religions. Further more, the majority of Christians are not in favor of a Christian theocracy possibility.

Instead let us focus on the foundation upon which all Americans stand, our Constitution and a government supportable of our rights. What a gift to celebrate. Thank you forefathers (William Penn, James Madison, Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams, et al). Thank you armed forces for your sacrifices defending our rights.

People the world over risk life and limb to acquire the opportunity to join us, to live where they would have our freedoms.

We are very fortunate. Let’s not screw this up.

Don Scott is a North Warren resident.