This is a reply to John Mitchell’s letter (May 14) that took issue with my letter of May 10.

The 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees people freedom of speech and that there will be no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. On that basis, I would protect the right of merchants with deeply held religious beliefs to not participate in homosexual events by providing materials or services. Areas of our politically correct society have chosen to punish those who exercise those beliefs.

Recently, in Washington, D.C.’s Catholic University, a human rights violation was alleged because crosses in every room prevented Muslim students from praying. The complaint was filed by George Washington University Law professor John Banzhaf. He alleged that the Muslim students were not given their own prayer rooms, and only rooms with Christian symbols were available.

Catholic University is going about its business of being Catholic. It does not have any obligation to construct facilities for other religions. It is a private institution and those who attend classes there do it by choice.

Similarly, privately owned businesses should not be forced to violate their personal religious beliefs by participating in homosexual events, or face legal penalties if they don’t participate. For a profit-driven business to refuse sales doesn’t seem logical, but there are many religious beliefs that are hard to understand.

Anti-discrimination laws versus religious rights need to be better defined.

Thomas Shields, Auburn