Writer ignores First Amendment

According to Lessie Long's letter to the editor (Sunday), religion belongs in the public school classroom. That is an interesting concept since it goes completely against the idea of First Amendment dealing with the separation of church and state.

Based on the information presented, it appeared as if Long would make the word of God based on Christianity to be the correct philosophy to teach in the public classroom. Now, would that be the word according to the Roman Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal, Anglican, Mormon, Jehovah's Witnesses or maybe Quakers (all Christians, but slightly different Bibles). But what about Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and the many other religions that exist with strong followers? Do they not count as having a connection to God?

Religious freedom is what this country was founded on, and the intent of our founding fathers was to allow people to worship as they desired. The public school system is not the arena to promote one specific religious view, but rather create an environment where all people's opinions should be respected. Individuals who want their children to have a concentrated viewpoint about their religious beliefs have private schools their children may attend.

As for the accolades Long gave of former Mount Vernon teacher John Freshwater, she forgot to comment on his actions of burning symbols with a high frequency generator on the arms of some of his students. It's behavior associated with a lunatic, not with a Christian.