THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 7, 1994 TAG: 9410070086
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
THE VAST majority of this week's Back Talk callers agreed that religion could be part of the public schools without crossing the line that separates church and state. Here are some of their comments:
``I don't mind the prayer groups at our school as long as they don't push their beliefs on other students. Otherwise they don't bother me.'' - Sheila Hodgin, 16-year-old, at Tallwood High School.
`` Religious student clubs or voluntary morning prayers around the flag pole by any means, does not cross the line that separates church and state. Beliefs are not forced on the students; they do it on to their own free will. It is a great idea''. - Inez Cherry, 13-year-old, eighth-grader at Larkspur Middle School.
``I think that religion is part of the church and public school is part of the state, and if you put religion in the public school, then you're taking away the separation of church and state.'' - Bonnie Manaskie, 14-year-old, First Colonial High School.
``I feel that religion should be allowed in schools because it helps people express what they feel. They shouldn't cut it out because our nation was built on religious beliefs. We need to get back to that because back in the days when it was allowed people, we didn't have all these drug problems, crime and everything that we have nowadays. And now that religion's abolished in schools, I feel it needs to be re-allowed because it would help more people to stand up for what they believe in. It would help more people to come out of the closet, as most people would probably say, because it needs to be said, that there are Christians in school who are willing to take a stand and to stand up for what they believe in.'' - Dan Mullis, 15-year-old at Tallwood High School.
``No, it isn't a bad thing. It's not like you're trying to make somebody choose a religion. It isn't bad. There's nothing bad about it. All these bad things that are in school now. You never know prayer could help them. At least we have one good thing in school.'' - Lynnette Daughtry, 14-year-old at Princess Anne High School.
``I don't think it's crossing the line. After all, it is before school. If it isn't bothering teachers, then no one should care.'' - Erik House, 14-year-old, eighth-grader at Larkspur Middle School.
``I don't think there's anything wrong with standing around the flag pole holding hands. I think it helps the day go better. And having a Bible study every day with other people to help edify you - it doesn't hurt anybody. In fact, it builds up. God really plays a big part in our everyday lives, whether anybody wants to believe it or not. In 1962, when they took the prayer out of school, all of a sudden crime went up. God had a hand on this because people trusted him. Now nobody trusts him, so all of a sudden, crime has gone up.'' - Lara Lloyd, 16-year-old at Christian Liberty Academy.
``I think prayer should be in the public schools. That's why our country is going down so fast because they took prayer out of the public schools. And we are not putting our trust in God anymore.'' - Kathryn Lloyd, 15-year-old at Christian Liberty Academy.
``I think it should be allowed.'' - Heath Hiles, 17-year-old, Tallwood High School. by CNB