Jaffa on School Prayer

I found Harry V. Jaffa’s “God Is Part and Parcel of the Constitution” (Commentary, Nov. 28) incomprehensible. Without supporting his argument, he states, “It can be seen that the rights secured to us by the human law, whether of the states or of the United States, are means of implementing antecedent rights whose origin is in a supreme being. It is difficult to imagine how we can teach citizenship to future citizens without inculcating in them an understanding of and a reverence for this origin.”

Though I am agnostic-atheistic, I believe strongly in the Constitution and the rights it confers. Rather than believe in a supreme being, I believe in treating others as I would wish to be treated, in living a life that makes the world around me a better place. It is not necessary to believe in God or have a religious upbringing to be a good citizen--and I am frankly horrified that a professor emeritus of political philosophy would not realize this.

While I realize that the writers of the Declaration of Independence believed that the rights they named came from God and not from their own brilliant and empathetic philosophy, I can’t help but wonder why, if these rights came from God, he waited until 1776 to convey his message so eloquently.

Finally, does the far right still support prayer in schools if the prayer is Muslim or Buddhist?

ELAINE LINDELEF

Pasadena

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* Thank you for an extraordinary act of balance in Nov. 28 Commentary section. Finally, good strong conservative voices are heard!

Jaffa’s superb piece on school prayer was much appreciated. My neighbor’s father, a high school history teacher, actually believes that the founders of this nation were atheists!

As for Patrick Buchanan, even though I could vote for him, I’m not sure that I agree with him that sending 20,000 soldiers from a nation of 260 million is anything worth getting excited about (unless, of course, the number is escalated).

MARK JAMES CHRISTIAN

Los Angeles

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* What does the Bible say about prayers in public? Look at Matthew 6:5-6: “When you are praying, do not behave like hypocrites who love to stand in synagogues or on street corners in order to be noticed. I give you my word, they are repaid. Whenever you pray, go to your room, close your door, and pray to the Father in private. Then your Father, who sees what no man sees, will repay you.”

MANFRED KRUTEIN

Irvine

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* Jaffa misses the point, and his argument is irrelevant. Prayer in school is wrong. Religion and religious education should be discussed and practiced in the home, in places of worship, with family and religious leaders. It is not appropriate for our public school teachers to be involved in religious discussion, or the administration of a “silent moment” or prayer. Every day offers countless opportunities for prayer outside of the classroom.

Let’s let our teachers do what they do best, and leave prayer and religion in the hands of those best suited to guide our kids: Mom and Dad, pastor and rabbi.

TIMOTHY FREUND

Agoura Hills