Your Say: Do 'nones' pose trouble or improve America?

Letters to the editor:

As a practicing Catholic, I would like to thank USA TODAY for confirming many of my preconceptions about those who claim no denominational affiliation ("Meet the 'Nones': An emerging force," News, Oct. 9).

Rebecca Cardone, profiled in your article, maintains that acting with "compassion" is more important than adhering to a system of beliefs. However, upon closer inspection, the "nones" do believe in a system of their own manufacturing: gay unions are of equal merit to traditional marriage; the humanity of the unborn child is not recognized; and, finally, government spending, which often aids less fortunate people, needs to be reduced.

If you made a composite "none" presidential candidate, he or she would combine the worst of both contenders: the moral liberalism of Barack Obama, and the economic conservatism of Mitt Romney. If the "nones" are the political future of America, then America has no future.

Fulton J. Waterloo; Aston, Pa.

A new reality has been exposed by the Pew Forum religious survey, which I hope is not lost on the politicians who represent us. One-fifth of the people in the U.S. are not inclined to tolerate having someone else's religion shoved down our throats and take exception to candidates pandering to religious groups.

Politicians should instead think long and hard before taking some bogus "principled stand" on such issues as teaching creation science or limiting access to birth control.

Harry Wastrack; Sterling, Va.