Removing God from public life

The recent rulings handed down by the Supreme Court prohibiting
student-led prayer at sporting events, such as the kind that took place
in Texas, might seem like yet another attempt by liberals to bring about
the total secularization of America. Perhaps, it is. But it may well
be that the basis of this and other recent disputes over the separation
of church and state rests not in the taking of God out of public life
(an act for which I am strongly opposed) but the placing of Jesus in it.

As a Roman Catholic living in what is often called the Bible Belt, I
can understand the sense of isolation and the seeming paranoia that
might result from being surrounded by people who openly and constantly
question your religious beliefs.

On numerous occasions, with the utmost patience and trying to call to
mind my years of Catholic schooling, I would politely explain that we
don't pray to Mary as if she is God himself and that we don't treat Pope
as God. In New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, cities where I have
lived in the past, I can never recall anyone, with an air of
condemnation, seeking to challenge my religious beliefs.

Out of respect and bit of curiosity, I have attended many church
services in the area including United Methodist and both black and
white Southern Baptist. I went to service after service -- each time
with an open heart only to be saddened when it came to the seemingly
inevitable place in the sermon or other invocation when the minister or
deacon began to deride other religions. Recently, I have adopted my
own "don't ask don't tell policy" about my beliefs. If they don't ask,
I don't tell.

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In the Texas case, the school district proposed as a remedy, that the
student-led prayer would allow references to Buddha, Mohammed and/or
Jesus as long as its general thrust was non-proselytizing and
non-sectarian. The resulting prayer still invoked Jesus Christ by
stating in its conclusion, "In Jesus' name, we pray." The reference to
Jesus Christ does not constitute a non-sectarian prayer. A more
appropriate conclusion would have substituted "God" for "Jesus."

Most Americans profess a belief in God. The world's major religions
are monotheistic. Their differences lie not in their core beliefs --
which denounce adultery, murder, stealing and lying -- but the
respective messenger chosen to spread the word.

In difficult times, man has relied upon God. It was with God's help
and guidance that the Founding Fathers built this nation. The healing
power of prayer has been acknowledged by some medical professionals.
Most people realize that there is something out there greater than we
are and something beyond the life that we currently live.

This battle over prayer in public places it is not a war of left
versus right. Good versus evil. What is feared is a promotion of
national religion -- my way or no way. And what seems like an irrational
fear to some is a legitimate concern for others.

I have no objection to such acts as Alabama's Judge Roy Moore's
posting of the Ten Commandments in his courtroom or the Colorado's Board
of Education passing a non-binding resolution to encourage public
schools to post the motto, "In God We Trust." In light of what has
taken place in that state, one can understand the need to reinstate some
morality and civility in public schools. Claire Orr, board chairman and
architect of the resolution stated, "The words we pass on to our young
shape our destiny." And both the Ten Commandments and "In God We Trust"
express a universality of belief that transcends religion.

As we well know, the courts don't always offer the best resolution to
conflicts. Perhaps, an interfaith dialogue would supply the best remedy
to soothe tensions. Or the teaching of the history of world religions
in public school would help dispel some of the myths people hold.

But until we find a workable solution, it is important not to let our
fear of having our religious beliefs dictated to us prompt us to remove
God from our public life.

Carla R. Thompson, formerly visiting assistant professor of communications of Huntingdon College, Montgomery, Ala., is a freelance writer covering education, domestic violence, prison-related issues.