Before we get going here let me state that I’m not a very religious person. I have my beliefs as does everyone else. I understand other’s beliefs may be different than my own and I accept that.

But, I’ve been somewhat following a story in California concerning a school teacher who was brought under scrutiny about handing out additional reading material to his students. Included in that additional reading material was The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. The principal of the school this teacher teaches at informed him that he can not distribute the Declaration of Independence because it makes reference to God.

Now while this may be true, there is one line which mentions God specifically

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

And then it doesn’t mention God but a Creator

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Now, in my eyes not a specific God is mentioned here, nor a specific religion. This unhealthy pattern of political correctness here in the US needs to stop. I mean, c’mon, we’re talking about The Declaration of Independence here. The document which created this country. Now we can’t teach this in our schools???? This is ludicrist and an outrage!

Now all this is sparked by some entry in one of our (The U.S.) founding documents that supposedly says something about separation of church and state. I have been unable to find this quote in any of our founding documents. The closest thing I’ve found is this line in the Constitution:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

This doesn’t sound anything like separation of church and state. Just that the government can not prevent me from practicing whatever religion I may want to.

Now, I’m not saying separation of church and state isn’t there somewhere, I’m not a lawyer or an expert on the founding documents. But to use this political correctness to prevent the teachings of the history of the United States is wrong and as thoughtless as some of the zero tolerence (zero thought) policies of schools, which is a different rant altogether.

And also, I’ve heard that at some public schools it’s mandatory to learn about other religions. Yet, the religion this country was founded on can’t be mentioned and heaven forbid a student be seen or heard actually praying, I’m willing to bet he/she would be expelled.

Now with all the bad things we hear of young people doing in today’s society why would we forbid this sort of behaviour? I’m not trying to single out any one religion here, I’m saying that the students should be able to pray or worship or not pray or worship how ever they see fit, no matter the religion.

So, let’s make sure as parents and citizens of the U.S. that U.S. History is taught in our schools, that the Declaration of Independence is taught to our children as it defines us as a Nation and that the Constitution is taught, and not from a certain point of view, but for what it is and what it isn’t. If you’re a teacher, spare our children from your opinion and just teach the facts as stated by history, not your left or right political view.

Keith