This Easter Sunday is a good time to reflect on our fundamental right to the free exercise of religion. Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Episcopalians and other faiths are turning out in large numbers today at their churches and other places of worship.
Religious liberty is one of the five great freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.
It is a core value of the Constitution, one that must be cherished and protected to the greatest practical extent. It cannot be made subordinate to the current whims of those who control the powers of government. We have listened to several days of testimony about King County government's moratorium on new churches in rural areas. Comments from religious organizations and neighborhood groups on this highly controversial issue have been heartfelt and enlightening. Yet, after several months of debate and discussion, county officials seem no closer to an acceptable solution.