Editor:

A letter from Mike Kuehl (Viewpoint, July 1) demands a response, but I hardly know where to begin. There was much rambling with little apparent point.

First, atheism is as legitimate a point of view as is Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism or any of the many other belief structures. However, nothing in my letter indicated a preference for either of them. It would be interesting to know the basis for his accusation of atheism.

Second, I was not attacking religion per sè, I was attacking an especially malignant dogma of one religious sect; the rejection of birth control by the Catholics. If we do not have birth control, we would have to practice abstinence or celibacy. Because our sex drive is our most basic and powerful instinctive force, abstinence is not a viable option. Ask the priesthood how that worked for them. At this time, in Philadelphia, there are two priests on trial for raping their alter boys. Also on trial is the Monsignor who protected them.

Without birth control, our population would double approximately every five years. With a population nearing seven billion, we could not come close to doubling it without a total collapse of the infrastructure’s ability to supply our most basic needs; water, food, breathable air. One cannot know the mind of God, but it’s quite likely that He intended that we use the intelligence He gave us, rather than willy-nilly breed ourselves into extinction.

Third, why would a devil worshipper run for office, and why would you vote for him? I still can’t figure out that statement. Mike’s letter typifies the Republican mind, the flood of emotion drowning out logical thought processes. The primary thrust of my letter was that we must all be willing to practice civil disobedience. We must always question authority, secular or religious, as those authorities frequently have an agenda very dissimilar to our own.

Catholicism’s rejection of birth control is an excellent example. You could start by asking the local priest to explain their position on birth control. Use caution, though. Those in positions of authority do not enjoy having that authority questioned.

Barrie Johnson, Exeland