Teach Values Without Religious Tone

* I am responding to a letter from Peter R. Wilkinson (Dec. 26). I want to congratulate Wilkinson for his advocacy of teaching values in the public schools.

I am concerned that in teaching values, words might be used that resonate a religious tone and bring dogma into the picture where it does not belong.

I hope that the teacher will emphasize that good values are not the exclusive domain of the religions and are not related to any rituals, legends, myths, traditions, vestments, visions, protocols, superstitions, prayers or fears of hell’s fire and damnation. A practical value system adopted and used by all citizens can and should function entirely independent of any religious teachings.

PATRICIA SHIRLEY

Newport Beach