THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, December 19, 1994 TAG: 9412160034
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Morality and ethics of U.S society are issues of great concern but prayer in schools is not necessarily going to solve the problem.
Many readers remind us that this country was established on the Judeo-Christian ethic. I would remind them that our founders were just as steeped in the philosophies of: the idealism of Plato, the ethics and reason of Aristotle, the ``godlessness'' of Descartes, the satire of Voltaire and the revolution of Rousseau. Our Constitution was based on the teachings of the English philosopher John Locke.
I attended public schools in Florida. I remember the moral teachings found in Greek mythology, responsibility taught in civics classes, the drama and life-lessons learned from the plays of Shakespeare. I understand that these subjects are not regularly taught anymore.
I quit attending church regularly at a very young age because I resented doctrinaire answers to questions of faith. I have a very deep faith in what some would call God, some Allah and some `the Great White Spirit,' but I did not learn this from saying prayers in school.
The tenets of morality, responsibility and ethics can be taught, but only by example. Instead of so much rhetoric, what is needed is the living example of an ethical life without so much dependence on present-day materialism to satisfy our inner needs. As a student of religion and philosophy, I can say that all religions are much alike in their ethical teachings.
If there is objection to teaching all religions in public school, then I suggest that Plato and Aristotle offer a very good foundation in ethics and morality. To date, I have found no objections to their thought in the writings of any of the world's religions.
REBECCA J. HUBBLE
Norfolk, Dec. 11, 1994 by CNB