THE PUBLIC MIND: KANSAN OFFERS OPINION ON COURT'S RULING ABOUT PUBLIC PRAYER

To the Editor:

Thanks to a recent Joplin Globe reprint of your June 26, 1992, editorial regarding the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the constitutional principle of separation between religion and government as its relates to a state agency (a public school administration) which scheduled, organized, and required an unquestioned act of religion to be imposed upon everyone assembled at a graduation ceremony, I would offer the following as suggested reading in terms of legal precedent for and proper understanding of the Weisman decision:

1. Reynolds v. U.S. (1879) 98 U.S. 145 the first major case setting forth the essence of the First Amendment's establishment clause.

2. Engel v. Vitale (1962) 370 U.S. 421 the first major "required prayer" case which simply upheld the constitutional principle that religion is not the business of government.

3. James Madison's clearly stated position that the appointment of chaplains to the U.S. Congress was an obvious violation of constitutional principles ("Madison's `Detached Memoranda'," William and Mary Quarterly, vol. 3, series 3 [October 1946]).

4. The instruction of Jesus about public prayer (Matthew 6:5-6).

Of course, everyone understands that the Constitution is the law of the land, not "tradition," and that there is no "ban on prayer," only on government involvement.

For Weisman, I thank God, the U.S. Constitution, five justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Weisman family.

Gene Garman

Pittsburg, Kan.