Religion Doesn’t Belong in Schools

There is a popular conception in this society that the state of public education is in a decline. What scares me is that some people would like it to stay that way. In his letter (“Teach America’s Christian Traditions,” Dec. 18), Jack R. Dortignac advocates the return of prayer and the teaching of Christian tradition in public schools. With the new Republican Congress, this issue has unfortunately been reborn.

The religious right, ignoring that pesky “separation of church and state” clause in the U.S. Constitution, is once again putting forth the idea that talking to God in homeroom will raise SAT scores, eliminate school violence, and just create a happier society in general. Anyone who disagrees with this view is, in Mr. Dortignac’s words, “elite, liberal, agnostic and atheist,” and therefore his or her opinions can be ignored.

Although I do not believe in the Christian God, I believe that there are places for him in America: in church and in the home. Parents who believe that their child’s education should include Christian tradition have the option of supplementing this education with Sunday school, church services and in-home teaching. Public school is a place for the trinity of mathematics, science and the humanities--not the holy Trinity.

Finally, Mr. Dortignac and others like him should keep in mind that this is America, and because of this everyone has a right to an opinion, even if they do support Madalyn Murray O’Hair.

JASON HAMM

Santa Ana