-= PASTORTALK =-    A weekly dialogue with a local pastor on the news of the day                        by Carl (Gene) Wilkes                          Startext: MC344578                       CompuServe: 70423,600                        Internet: 70423.600@compuserve.com                     -= THIS WEEK'S THOUGHTS =-  Last week the Supreme Court refused without comment to hear an appeal by Rensselaer, IN, school officials desiring the distribution of Bibles in their public schools (REL65, 5/21). A lower court had banned the local Gideons, an international Bible- distribution group, from passing out Bibles to fifth-graders. The ACLU's Barry Lynn was quoted as saying that the court's action protected the "religious neutrality of our public schools." He also said that schools must serve students of "all faiths and none." Schools were not to be a "bazaar where rival religious groups compete for converts," according to Lynn.  Several Gideons, men who are responsible for putting Bibles in hospitals and hotels, are members of our church. They tell of similar stories where they are only allowed to distribute Bibles on sidewalks around the schools, but cannot go inside the schools. They tell of mild harassment by parents who do not want their children receiving a Bible from a stranger. They are willing to continue their work at a distance, but find the school's position somewhat disheartening.  I understand rationally and logically the court's position. And, I can see the sense of fairness for all groups. But, on the other hand, when does "neutrality" become "nihilism?" When does plurality turn into no position at all?  I see a couple of ironies here. One is that we can pass out condoms but not Bibles in our schools. Think on that one for a moment.  The other is that while we are seeking "religious neutrality" in our schools, countries like Russia--who, by the way, practiced "religious neutrality" for the past seventy years--are making the  Bible part of their public school curriculum. When I was in St. Petersburg in March, the church we worked with had trained over 100 public school teachers to teach the Bible, and the government had requested hundreds more! I recently heard a medical doctor who is president of the Gideon chapter in Moscow tell how they are eagerly invited to the University of Moscow to distribute Bibles to the students and are given class time to explain its contents. I remember seeing a photograph of this doctor holding a Bible and speaking to the university students standing under a statue of Lenin. Now, that's ironic!  I admit two things: 1) We are a pluralistic society, and all faiths have equal footing. This is what our country was founded on. 2) To allow every group on school grounds could create a bazaar-like atmosphere. Each city must work to be inclusive of all religions and provide a hearing for them. 3)--I know I said two--The vitality of religious faith is not dependent upon whether or not the public arena acknowledges it as valid.  However--and you knew this was coming--I believe, disallowing the distribution of the Bible by law-abiding, caring adults in our schools only signals once again our culture's movement away from a singular base from which we as individuals and as a nation can make moral and ethical decisions.  What do you think?                            -= MAIL BOX =- (Let me know if you do not want me to print your letter or your name.)  Good column [re: TIME coverstory about teen sexuality]; I agree with moral education from home, but some homes don't have the kinds of morals I want taught.  One family I worked with smoked dope as their primary family activity.  Another acted like incest was OK. Families, no matter where they are, are often a lot sicker than we'd like to believe.  From: John Hightower, MC 407602  John,  I agree that the "home" ain't what it used to be, and some homes are NOT the place to learn value-based sexuality. I still believe that this is where the church can come into play. I know, those families you speak of may not come to a church to seek information, but the help does not need to be in a church building...I believe that the youth from the families you mentioned will probably disregard the value-free information at school, too.