Creating a Controversy: Biology Teacher’s Biblical Presentation at School
No one is above the law--not even Christian fundamentalists like John Peloza. The law is clear: There must be separation between church and state.
Our tax dollars do not go to public schools so that teachers can give even the impression of teaching religion. It really gets my goat when ideologues hide behind the Bible to disclaim their violation of a sacred boundary, the very same boundary on which our Constitution is based.
As a Jew and an educator who has worked with students of all faiths from junior high through college, I resent the blurring of Christian fundamentalism and “strong moral values,” as Pastor Smith implies.
Administrators in Mission Viejo are right to suspend Mr. Peloza. He has no business giving Bibles to anyone or preaching his Gospel, whether or not the entire student population seeks him out.
Remember, there are three kinds of business in this world: God’s business, my business and none of my business. What a student believes, Mr. Peloza, is none of my business and none of yours.
TRUDY ETTELSON, Costa Mesa
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