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

DATE: THURSDAY, August 19, 1993                   TAG: 9309120285
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: THOMAS C.McMILLAN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

THE CASE FOR FREEDOM FROM RELIGION

JOSEPH M. Santos, in his Aug. 11 letter to the editor, ``Signing with Jefferson,'' suggests that Jefferson's writings can be used to support prayer in public schools. He also characterizes those who choose to disagree with him as members of a vicious, fearful and ``ever-shrill minority.'' At the risk of being considered a member of this evil minority, I contend that a ban on prayer in public schools can be supported without having to resort to the tenets of those godless secular humanists.

Let us suppose, for the purpose of discussion, that Christianity comes in two flavors. One sect, as a result of reasonable interpretation of the Scriptures, believes that public prayer is an integral part of its faith. The other sect, using an interpretation of the Scriptures that is just as reasonable, believes that such narcissistic displays of piety are evidence of faithlessness and are an affront to Christ. Any governmentally sanctioned prayer promotes one of thes

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by CNB