Religion not appropriate for subject in schools

Dear editor:

Reference is made to a Jennifer Adams' letter to the editor, November 14, 2007 publication entitled "Schools should return God to the classroom." While, I respect Mrs. or Ms. Adams' right to believe in any religion and her right to communicate that belief concerning schools, I fully disagree with her about God or any religious beliefs being taught in schools, along with all forms of mysticism, mythology, astrology, tarot cards, fortune telling, witches, ghosts, demons, etc. Several years ago the federal government agreed with Mrs. Murray and thousands of other people, and banned religion in schools.

Students in schools should be taught things that are provable by facts, logic and science. They should, also, be taught to logically and factually think for themselves about all subjects. If a subject like mythology is taught in schools, they should be told that the mythology they are reading about is not factual or truthful, but was believed by thousands of people many years ago.

If religion was to be taught in schools, then all religions must be taught by qualified knowledgeable teachers to insure that the students obtain fair unbiased knowledge of all faiths. There are no teachers capable of teaching about all religions. Religion is a person's own choice to believe or not. Students under 21 years of age (maybe 18) do not, can not, have the knowledge or choice to pick a religion that is best for them. Who says one's religion is the true or best religion? Literally millions of people on earth would not agree with Christianity, Islam, Buddha, etc. How can we force a particular religion on our children when they are not knowledgeable enough to choose? Therefore, religion has no place in public schools.

I, like millions of other children, was brainwashed (repetitive learning) into believing my parents' religion (Protestant). This is true all over the world. I, also, was partially brainwashed as a teenager, in Catholicism. It wasn't until was 25 that I made up my own mind about which faith I am (I'm now 71). I raised my six children to think for themselves and not be like Dad, just because I said so. Some are like Dad and some are not.

If parents choose to teach their children about religion at a young age, I hope they teach them about individual choice as the children get older, and can make a logical choice. I, also, hope the children are taught not to believe in mysticism when they are old enough, (for example, Santa Clause, the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny, etc.) This will preclude school bullies from picking on them. In short, parents must be truthful in what they teach their children. It is the parents' responsibility, not the public schools.

Pen A. Bidwell