LETTERS: KEEP CHURCH AND STATE SEPARATE

To the Editor:Separation of church and state is a touchy issue in this country. An assistant principal in Alabama filed a lawsuit that resulted in the recent federal court order restricting prayer in Alabama schools. His actions were met with scorn and hatred. He is afraid to drive his Corvette to school because someone might rakehis keys down the sides. Parents are calling him godless and treating him like a child molester. In the Nov. 10 article "Educator feels scorn in school prayer case," one women claimed she didn't want him near her first-grade daughter. There are people in Missouri who would react in the same manner.

I don't think that restricting prayer in school takes away personal freedoms. It protects our freedoms by providing a non-biased atmosphere for children to learn in. I know there aren't that many Muslims in Alabama, but what if there were? There definitely are in larger cities. It wouldn't be fair for them to feel coerced into believing in Jesus Christ by the adults in charge. Think of the confusion the child would feel by being raised one way at home and told another at school.

As a future parent, my child will learn about God, but I want my child to worship God in whatever way he feels comfortable with. If he chooses Christianity, it should be because that is what he feesl is right, not because Mrs. or Mr. Smith says we should pray this way. Many people feel that any religion other then their own is either satanic or godless, and they have the right to believe that. However,they do not have the right to force others to comply with their personal beliefs. That is exactly what happens when religion is allowed to be presented in a biased fashion at school. Separation of church and state doesnt remove God from the school systems. You can pray anytime you want to. God hears silent prayers. And just because you can't actively recruit someone to your faith doesn't mean you can't practice your faith through your actions. After all, isn't being a Christian more about treating others with love and kindness then telling them what to believe.

Religious persecution isn't the problem. Be glad we aren't living in places like Bosnia where you might die for your beliefs. The real issue is that religious intolerance exists in more states than Alabama.

TARA L. MILLER

Cape Girardeau