Vista School Board

It’s too bad John J. Pitney Jr. didn’t do his homework before writing “Left’s Muddled Assault on the Religious Right” (Column Right, June 30). He cites an ACLU warning against the conservative “Christian” school board in Vista as an attack on the religious right.

I’m here to tell you it’s not the ACLU who is doing the attacking in Vista. Since coming to power, the conservative board majority has begun an assault on anyone who does not share their narrow religious views. They actively campaigned for the voucher initiative, which would have given public money to religious schools. They forbade the school district to apply for a grant which would have helped poor children receive medical services. They tried to place “creation science” into the curriculum. They have placed “Sex Respect,” an antiquated and most likely illegal program, into the sex education curriculum. They axed bus services affecting less affluent areas of town, while building a new school in an affluent area which will house only 180 students.

It remains to be seen whether the political agenda of the religious right reflects the true spirit of Christianity, but I have my doubts. Meanwhile, anyone who disagrees with them is labeled godless. This kind of religious intimidation serves no one, and it needs to be stopped.

FREDES PARKER

Political Action Chair

Vista Teachers Assn.