Rev. Rack's fine article.

I would like to thank the Rev. Paul F. Rack for his very fine article in support of the separation of church and state ("Goodbye Christendom--And Good Riddance!: A Pastor's Reflection On Church And State," November Church & State). What a delight to read such a well-thought-out statement after reading all the vitriolic rhetoric spewed out at the Religious Right's "Values Voter Summit."

Whenever someone tells me that "this is a Christian Nation," I ask which denomination of Christianity. There are great differences in the beliefs of different denominations, almost as great as the differences between Jews and Muslims in some cases. Therefore, merely saying this is a Christian Nation is meaningless.

Rev. Rack makes it clear that the protection of the church from the state is the main reason to support separation.

Irwin Ottenberg

Soquel, Calif.