Keep Church Out Of Politics
To The Editor:

The suggestion by one Golzalo "Jun" Policarpio that Congressman Gary Ackerman is somehow "anti-Christian" for casting a vote against a bizarre resolution about Christmas on December 10 is ludicrous, as Ackerman was one of the few representatives who had the guts to say "no" to something that was unconstitutional, but "politically correct" nonsense, and an insult to the concept of the separation of church and state.

I have known Gary for four decades and there is nothing in his background that lends credence to this accusation by Policarpio. (For reference, I am a Republican and a Licensed Eucharistic Minister in the Episcopal Church.) Policarpio, on the other hand, appears to be getting ready for another race against Ackerman, and a "zealot" who disgraces his political and religious credentials.

Voters may disagree with Ackerman on some of the issues- and I, myself, think he hasn't done enough to oppose Bush's war in Iraq- but a charge of being "anti-Christian" is simply slanderous and one reason I will not vote for Policarpio, should he become Gary's opponent again this year.

If we don't keep our tradition of separation of church and state, we will be little different from those who hate us, both for our form of government and our theological beliefs. Frank Skala Bayside