Letters to the Editor
Anna Gould's article(\School board's motion anti-American,"" Oct. 15) smacks of both ignorance and narrow-mindedness. Gould seems to think banning the pledge is akin to taking away our freedom. The last time I checked, America had this little thing called the Bill of Rights, which guarantees all Americans the freedom of both speech and religion. She states that the pledge does not endorse any religion, yet the mention of God obviously makes it at least a little religious. What about atheists? Atheist students should not have to say that their country exists under a god they do not believe in. She then goes on to conclude, ""So listen up Madison. In spite of what you want, this country was founded firmly with Judeo-Christian values. The citizens of this country have voted, and they want the pledge, with 'under God' and everything."" This is one of the most horrid statements I have ever read. This country was founded on a firm belief in the freedom of religion and the notion that state and church are separate'two different things that should not influence each other. As a matter of fact, when the pledge was created, it did not even contain the part about God. That didn't come in until the 1950s. So what America and Madison really want is freedom; the freedom to not be forced to believe in deities or religions they do not recognize. Education should not be caught up in religion, pledges or anthems, but in the business of education.
