Letter Writing

Recently I had an interesting exchange with my NC House Representative Michele Presnell (R) that I shared with the Raleigh News & Observer.  However, by the time the blog post ran the bill had already been killed. This story also implies that the exchange happened more recently than Friday's decision.  But, to be clear, the exchange happened before the bill was killed.

How she responded is represented accurately in my view.

Also, it is unclear what exactly Rep. Presnell is referring to in her final email which states "No, you are wrong.  Have a nice day."

The email I composed that directly preceded that response was this.

Dear Michelle Presnell,

I am saddened that you make a leap from Allah to terrorism so quickly.  My point about asking if you personally would be comfortable with a prayer to Allah is precisely why we do need to take a stand for religious freedom.  Your response seems to indicate that you are not comfortable having a state or a state representative honoring a religion other than your own.  So you seem to be saying that you yourself are not comfortable with the fundamental premise of the bill.  What the bill proposes does whisk away religious freedom.  If the state sets a precedent of choosing one religion above others, we have to be prepared for any religion to be chosen as the preferential one. 

Thank you for considering this,

Britt Kaufmann