Letter to the editor: Freedom of speech; religion and morality

I think the writer of the letter “Our rights are being eroded” (July 9, TribLIVE) needs to reread the First Amendment. It states Congress shall make no laws abridging the freedom of speech. Nowhere does it say there will not be consequences for speech in the private sector. So people should not be allowed to voice their thoughts in rebuttal to someone else’s speech? Like I’m doing here. There are many types of speech given little or no protection, including fraud, child pornography and defamation.

The writer also seems to think that religion and morality are synonymous. Morality does not depend upon religion, and belonging to a religion does not make one moral; look at all the heinous crimes and atrocities that have been committed in the name of religion, or in spite of a religious belief. The right to practice your religion stops where it interferes with my beliefs.

As to the Constitution not being a living document, there have been 27 amendments from 1791 to 1992. That seems living to me.

Mike Anthony

North Buffalo