Religion and the Constitution

The founding fathers of this country arrived to these shores and established their independence because they sought the freedom to practice their religion and to serve G-d without interference by the government.

And it was precisely this freedom that they sought to guarantee in the Constitution by the first amendment.

Indeed, our government has a long tradition of explicit affirmation of faith in G-d, as is evidenced on our currency, upon which is printed the words "In G-d We Trust." Similarly, Congress opens each session with a prayer to the Almighty. Surely these expressions of faith in G-d have never offended any of the diverse religious beliefs represented by the people, and have never, in the course of our country's history, threatened government interference or the establishment of a state religion.

To deprive, in the name of the constitution, the millions of children in the country's public schools the freedom to affirm their faith in G-d, essential not only to their exercise of free expression but also to their development as responsible, law-abiding citizens, is to give constitutional sanction to government interference with the people's religious expression. A moment of silence for reflection, contemplation, prayer or thanks to G-d, cannot reasonably be construed as advancing any religion.

Banning G-d from the public schools creates a void--which by default, results in a philosophy of the moral relativism of humanism. The school is thus directly responsible for fostering within its students the notion that utility is the ultimate standard by which we judge our actions. Recent history has proven the ill borne fruits of an education--even the finest in academic standards--without the fear of G-d.

Surely this is antithetical to the intentions of the founding fathers. To interpret the constitution in this way is to strip it of its spirit and its soul, and render it an uninspired, dead document.