Public schools are not theocracies
Abetted by Christian educators and churches, religion in public schools — like the baptisms at Villa Rica High School — is not unusual in school systems across America. Christians bent on having government support for their beliefs seem not to understand or care that others, perhaps in the minority, have opposing views. Government help for their mission (Christian teaching, symbols, Bible distribution and outright proselytizing) has properly been found unconstitutional.
Well-intended or not, when churches’ or educators’ religious beliefs are propagated by adults on the captive audience of children or teens in a public school, it constitutes religious bullying. It’s a pity that warnings and lawsuits are needed to overcome schools’ failure to grasp that public schools should not be miniature theocracies.
JOHN CARVER, ATLANTA
Merchants should disclose beliefs
If the purpose of a religious liberty bill is to protect the deeply held beliefs of merchants, then the merchants should be willing to proudly advertise or post signs affirming those beliefs to consumers. They should list the products or services they will not provide as a matter of religious conscience. If they do not have the courage of their convictions, they should be exempt from any protections offered by such a law. This information also would help me be a more efficient shopper — to know in advance which businesses I will and will not patronize.
DAVID BAIN, DULUTH
Professor failed Constitution lesson
I was extremely disappointed to read professor Joseph M. Knippenberg’s column, particularly since he teaches constitutional law (“Real-world Constitution lessons,” Opinion, Sept. 12). The First Amendment does not protect Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. The United States Supreme Court has ruled on the issue of gay marriage. Therefore, it is the law of the land.
Davis is not protected by the First Amendment nor any so-called religious freedom act from disobeying the law. She is a public official, whose duty it is to issue marriage licenses. She raises the same argument that was raised by public officials in the South when they refused to issue marriage licenses to mixed-race couples — that it was against their religion. Davis should be in jail or she should resign. Judge Jeffrey Atherton should also resign. Knippenberg had an opportunity to give a lesson in constitutional law to the public, and he failed.
JERRY FROELICH, ATLANTA
