I am writing this letter in response to Nick Cervo's letter ("Reader glad America elected Pres. Bush" Mon., Nov. 8), which implied that electing President George W. Bush was good for America because "marrying someone of the same sex is not what God intended." One of the principles that makes our democracy work is that we keep issues of church and state separate. Unlike the formerly Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, we have religious freedom, and that means we can worship God, Allah or no god at all. I will feel bad for any same-sex couple who wants to get married but can't because our president and legislators believe this is not "what God intended." The point I want to make is that it is one thing to debate what is "morally correct or incorrect" when we determine our nation's policies. But, it is another when we let religion dictate policy. Then we cease to have religious freedom, and we take one step closer to having the kind of oppressive government that our enemies have. The same First Amendment that gives the freedom to express our opinions is the same that gives us the freedom to observe any religion we wish.