| To Improve Society, Put Bibles
Back In Schools
The 10/23/99 CDT reported that a New Jersey court supports the ban on a child reading a Bible story in class, even though the story had no overt religious theme and didn't mention God. Behind such paranoia is only sinister motive. To violate this child's rights contradicts the Constitution, the Constitution's authors, historical fact, and common sense. The Constitution does NOT support separation of Bible and School. It does deny Congress the ability to prohibit free exercise of religion. George Washington on August 7, 1789 signed into law the Northwest Ordinance: "Religion and morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." Thomas Jefferson, when signing the enabling act for Ohio to become a state, warned the state not to "be repugnant to the Northwest Ordinance." Religion and morality were taught in the early schools because the textbooks were filled with references to the Bible. The Constitutionalists understood that the Bible enhanced society, and thus promoted it in their schools. To outlaw Bible reading in our public schools is to give assent to Article 124 of the Constitution of the U.S.S.R. (1922-1991)--"In order to ensure to citizens freedom of conscience, the church in the U.S.S.R is separated from the State, and the school from the church." But that is not OUR Constitution nor theirs any more. Interestingly, today my sister in Ukraine reports that many public schools there are begging Christians to share their faith and hand out Bibles. Good bye, Bibles! Hello, Eric Harris and Dillan Kleibold! (murderers at Columbine)
Rev. Gabriel J. Morley
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