Evening star., 1962-04-11
LETTERS TO THE STAR
freedom to Pray in Public Schools Debated

already been relegated to a
lonely corner marked, ITO
the unknown Cod! What
tragic fruit America is reap
ing due to moral decline and
indifference toward the COM
mandmentS of God. Our
juvenile courts, detention
homes and jails are filled
with the youth of our land.
Murder, rape, theft, drunken
ness, narcotic addiction. sex
ual orgies, vandalism, ETC.,
are increasing in alarming
proportions.
Let's put God back in our
schools! Let's abide by, and
teach our children, the pre-
cepts of a Holy Creator! Let's
have freedom of worship in
schools, out of school or
wherever we may be! Let
those children of dissenting
groups be excused from the
worship of Almighty God if
they so desire.
Kathryn T. BOwsher.
Your Freedom to Pray"
editorial was unworthy Of
The Star.
Are your prayers more
satisfying when made where
others can hear and see you?
Fred B. Jackson.
On April 5 The Star came
out for prayers in public
schools.
1t is we'll and good to re-
call our religious heritage,
but The Star should not
overlook our other tradi-
tionS. These include toler-
ance Of diversity and not
ramming particular religious
thoughts down the throats Of
people under public auspices.
1t is equally good to espouse
majority rights-So long as
II Is a point to be made. I
find it hard to see how any
majority can claim the right
to use public institutions for
religious preaching. That is
not a right. It Is what the
Constitution forbade long be-
fore the recent growth Of this
sort Of public Sunday school,
ing impelled parents and
children to go to court in de-
fense of their rights.
The Star knows very well
that children who take the
theoretical option of object
ing to prayers and the like
in school face the hard facts
of torment, hostility and even
ridicule. They and their par
ents should not be put to this
choice. The Star also knows
that, however one feels about
official oaths referring to
God, the affiant has the
choice of affirmation and the
mere witness has at least the
solace of not being asked to
participate actively. The
place for religiosity is in the
home and church. There is
emphatically no right to use
the institutions of govern
ment for it's propagation.
James II. Heller.
I commend you on your
editorial, Freedom to Pray"
All you said is so true. Why
should a very small minority
overrule the desires Of a
large majority? We need
more of these simple little
prayers! I firmly indorse
your views in this matter and
appreciate your speaking
out" as you did
Viola 8. Bradford.
Your editorial, Freedom
to Pray" challenges every
person privileged to be living
in America to take a long
look at the current issue
taken to disprove the need
for the mention Of God in
the public schools.
once a law Is made 1t must
be enforced. To make q Law
which wSuld completely for
bid the use Of a prayer or a
formal mention of God
| would be the gateway to more
laws to remove Gods name
in public places.
When I read your editorial
, I exclaimed aloud Praise
the Lord and amen"
Surely We can find a COM
mon ground with our fellow
believers in an Almighty God
through which our children
can hear His name men
toned and repeat it each
day without offense to any
one.
Mrs. Daryl Bailey,
Secretary Of Christian Social
Relations, Woman's Society
Of Christian Service, Chevy
Chase Methodist Church.