With regard to Donna L. Ching’s letter (“Leave religion out in vetting qualifications,” Star-Advertiser, Dec. 27): While I agree that a person’s religious affiliation, alone, should not be a means of exclusion for public office, I do not agree that religion should be “left out of the conversation.”

One of the real concerns in vetting candidates for public office is how they will apply their personal beliefs, including their religion, to the role they seek to fill. And while freedom of religion is a vital right, so is freedom from religion.

Significant damage can be done to our society by those who would seek to impose their religious beliefs and values on others through the force of law. These beliefs and values do not always align with the principles of our Constitution, and laws based on them would deny others their freedom and fair treatment.

I’m glad U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Kamala Harris are probing these issues.

Gary Edwards

Kaneohe

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