CHRISTIAN MAJORITY HAS RIGHTS, TOO

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 1, 1993                   TAG: 9301040276
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
CHRISTIAN MAJORITY HAS RIGHTS, TOO
I CONTINUE to be astounded at the misapplication of the First Amendment's "establishment of religion" clause by the editorial page of the Roanoke Times & World-News.
You vigorously defend vulgar literature in Carroll County schools while you condemn the use of "Christmas" in Montgomery County.
Along with the ACLU, you strive to protect the freedoms of religious minorities by denying those same freedoms to the predominantly Christian majority.
Interestingly, you are silent when public schools observe Halloween and Valentine's Day, both of which have Christian origins.
America is a nation built on Judeo-Christian values. These values, which include traditional moral standards, are unchangeable and are not based on what the self-proclaimed cultural elite defines as politically correct.
Recognition of America's Christian heritage should be an integral part of every public school child's education. History and theology are very different. If learning about the beliefs of others causes children to abandon their faith, then social studies and evolutionary science need to be removed from public-school curriculum.
If a program or party incorporates Christian songs or images, non-Christians have a right to "opt" their children out. I "opt" my child out of sex education in the schools but don't file suit to deny other children the opportunity to participate if their parents approve.
Christmas is about the birthday of Christ - not Santa Claus, Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman. If that offends someone, our Constitution also allows for the freedom of emigration. MARK W. BONDS BOONES MILL

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB