Founders Believed in Church<i> and</i> State

I am writing in response to Jason Hamm’s opinion on religion and school (Letters, Dec. 25). While he seems to be an articulate, educated individual, his letter has several gross inaccuracies.

What “U.S. Constitution” is he referring to that has a “separation of church and state” clause? The U.S. Constitution, in fact, has no such clause.

If Mr. Hamm were to research his history, he would find that a determination of “separation of church and state” comes more recently from such Supreme Court decisions as the 1962 case entitled “Engel vs. Vitale,” whereby only nine men outlawed school prayer and redetermined the intent and history of our Constitution.

The preparers of the U.S. Constitution were, in fact, nearly all devout Christians who yearned for the right to practice their Christian beliefs in government and society, not for a lack thereof.

While some people may not need a God or Christian tradition in their lives, many do. A turn to family values in this past election would appear to support this.

Moreover, they are entitled to it as part of the original intent of the preparers of the U.S. Constitution.

While Mr. Hamm is entitled to his opinions, it is important to be accurate about fact and history, particularly when referring to education and the government.

JAN PHILIPS

Tustin