Country founded on Christian beliefs

Regarding Bob Elliott's May 8 column 'Religious extremists threaten democracy”: The U.S.A. is a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy. Samuel Adams said 'There never was a democracy that did not commit suicide.”

Had our founders not had the attitudes of most of Iowa's Republican congressional candidates, such as Matt Whitaker and Sen. Joni Ernst, the words on the Statue of Liberty would not be there. Our country was founded on Christian beliefs and principles and that is why we open our arms to the oppressed. Look at other nations which have rejected Christian principles (Russia/Soviet Union, China, North Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia), they don't welcome the oppressed. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written by men of varied Christian beliefs. Those two documents, based on Christian principles, are the basis of our nation. They protect us from the tyranny of dictators who destroy people 'yearning to breathe free.”

Christ's teachings embody the Ten Commandments and are why our laws are to protect our lives and rights and freedoms that also protect immigrants lives and rights and freedoms. John Jay, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said that it is the duty, privilege and interest of our 'Christian Nation to select and prefer Christian rulers.” Whitaker and Ernst are correct. Our nation is not a '238-year-old glorious democratic experiment.” We are a 238-year-old glorious Constitutional Republic.

Sandra Wolcott

Cedar Rapids