In reference to the letter about right and "right" things to do, the correct thing to do is subjective ("The "right" thing different for each individual official," Jan. 25).

One individual may think putting a murderer in jail for life is correct, another may think that death is correct, and yet another may believe that familial retribution should reign. If the murder were in self-defense, is it right? Is murder ever right, or "right"? Who is to say and from where do you derive your answer?

Well, law and policies are set by the majority -- the ruling class, the people in charge. So the opinion of the ruling class or majority is the one that is "right." Aside from that, everything else is a discussion in opinion.

Additionally, religion is just one of the many things that may or may not influence your personality and mind; therefore, religion can and will influence opinion. While it is understandable for our forefathers to have tried to separate religion and state, it is impossible to separate religion and individuals completely. Some people let religion guide their lives and that includes lawmakers and rulers. You cannot demand that those individuals not use that same religion to establish or derive laws, provided those new laws do not create a bias against a group or individual for a particular reason.