Dear Editor:Belief triumphs over fact every time. Columnist Mary Cantell is a believer. She believes that religious prayer belongs in the public schools and was upset that Pottsgrove School Directors removed prayer form the graduation ceremony. I am sure her mind is locked, the key is long gone and no mind-changing fact can penetrate her mighty fortress of belief. So all you true believers, reading further would waste your time. The following facts are aimed at the person of reason.
Why did the Founders insist on forming a government so secular that the word “god” does not appear even one time in our Constitution? Because (FACT) they or their immediate forbears fled persecution by governments with officially sanctioned religions by coming to America. The Puritans went to New England, the Quakers to Pennsylvania, the Catholics to Maryland and the Episcopalians to Virginia. Jews, Muslims and others joined the stew.
They had one thing in common: they didn’t want some sanctioned government religion jammed down their throats. Having experienced that first hand, they were determined in their desire for a secular government.
Thus, they produced a government that strongly separated church from state. For example, in Article II, Section 1.8 the Presidents Oath of Office is listed word for word. FACT: the words “so help me God” are not part of that oath.
By the way, since “oath” was considered a religious term, the religiously neutral term “Affirmation” could be used as an alternative. So the President could “swear or affirm” that he would carry out the duties of the office. Put a copy of the Constitution on your smartphone so you can check it out.
Also, nothing in the Constitution says the Bible must be present for the Oath or Affirmation. Several Presidents have assumed office without using the Bible, the first being Franklin Pierce, relative of Barbara Pierce Bush.
The Constitution also says (Article VI, Section 3) that there shall be no religious test for any Federal office. In other words, the Constitution does not prevent a Muslim from becoming President and taking the oath of office on the Koran.
The Constitution went into effect in 1789. Just eight years later, we signed the Treaty of Tripoli in 1797 with the Muslims known as the Barberry Pirates. Article 11 of that treaty specifically states that our “Government is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” That treaty was unanimously passed by the Senate.
The Supreme Court, acting in accordance with the deeply imbedded Constitutional principle of separation of Church and State, rightfully banned mandatory prayer in public schools.
Thus, a Muslim or Jewish teacher cannot force his Christian students to listen to his religion’s prayer; nor can a Christian teacher force a non-Christian to listen to his prayers.
However, any student can privately say a prayer in school, provided he does nothing that would disrupt the classroom. Jesus himself preferred private prayer over public prayer (Matthew 6:6).
The public schools are, and should remain, religiously neutral. Those opposed to that noble concept have the options of private religious schools or home schooling.
Kudos to the Pottsgrove School Board from Ben Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and all the signers of the Constitution, as well as those Americans who appreciate religious liberty.
Gordon GeisslerGilbertsville, PA
