Religion overrules sex education

Re “Abstaining from federal sex-ed funds,” April 8

Since when does intolerant religious dogma dictate the national policy on sexual education for our children? Since President Bush and Republicans forced an abstinence-only agenda on states for federal funding. The stated goal: Achieve chastity for our hormonally active children. I would have had to lock my six daughters in their rooms for the duration of their teenage years to achieve this goal. The absurdity of the abstinence-based programs became apparent last year when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a memo stating that states “must not” promote contraceptive and condom use to receive funding. So much for enlightened society.

How did religious ignorance creep into sex education?

RON LOWE

Santa Monica