Double Standard

For The Buddhists

To the Editor:

I am appalled at the reaction of the town to events held at the Buddhist Temple on Boggs Hill Road; this smacks of racism and religious intolerance at its most insidious.

Why is it appropriate for traffic to be held up on Sundays on Church Hill Road to accommodate the scores of cars coming out of the St Rose parking lot? Why is it acceptable for Jewish neighbors (like me) to celebrate Succot outside at a local synagogue, in public, and have cars parked everywhere? Why is this acceptable but an infrequent celebration held by Buddhists at their place of worship unacceptable? Why is it acceptable for book fairs, tag sales, and estate sales to attract a plethora of cars parked wherever they can find a spot, but an infrequent religious celebration raise the hackles of so many?

Our town is far better than this; our nation — founded on religious acceptance and tolerance — is far better than this. Perhaps we’ve forgotten this.

Stop wasting taxpayer money and let these peace-loving, taxpaying citizens have their celebrations; find something else to complain about. I’m certain you will.

Elissa Altman

Webster Place, Newtown                                                  July 22, 2008