Freedom to believe

To the editor,

Andrew and Tamara Overlee, of Joy of Healing, are good people. After interacting with spirit folk who work through the Overlees, I know that they impart enlightening knowledge in all facets of life.

I also have had great health improvement after receiving their powerful energy treatments to my spirit body that surrounds my physical one. Of course, I continue to see my integrative medical doctor.

I was disappointed to learn that the Montana Board of Medical Examiners tried to interfere with their good work due to the misguided efforts of my former spouse who filed a complaint using my case without my prior knowledge or agreement. The Overlees spiritual practice is protected under federal and state constitutions. My medical privacy is protected under U.S. law.

The reason the following exemption to the medical licensing law was created was to comply with the State of Montana Constitution, which states, "The state shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

The Montana medical licensing act exempts "[T]he practice of Christian Science, with or without compensation, and ritual circumcisions by rabbis." However, exemption fails the equal protection provision of the Montana Constitution to which it is subject. It fails since two religious sects are given legal preferences excluding all others by omission.

The Montana Constitution states, "The dignity of the human being is inviolable. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws. Neither the state nor any person, firm, corporation, or institution shall discriminate against any person in the exercise of his civil or political rights on account of race, color, sex,culture, social origin or condition, or political or religious ideas."

Dave Murray

Quincy, California