Letter: Symbols help bring God back to our country

Monday, Dec. 17, 2001 | 9:02 a.m.

I appreciated so very much Sandy Thompson's Dec. 9 column, "Don't knock public Christmas displays." It is refreshing to hear someone in the press who is putting political correctness into some sort of common sense perspective.

I have long been worried that America's youth have very little understanding of the world's great literature because we are afraid to mention biblical teachings in the public place. Little by little, as we remove religious symbols from public places, we have undermined importance of something our forefathers thought was so important: religious freedom.

We have created a whole generation of young people who can't possibly understand some of the important literature of the Western world because teachers and politicians have tiptoed around any mention of faith in God and religious beliefs. I have been concerned during the recent crisis in our nation that young people do not understand prayer is a legitimate way to obtain strength for the long haul of everyday living during a time of war.

With the Christmas season upon us, it is heartening to see that many places are breaking over into religious symbols. That is not to say I want my religion crammed down anyone's throat. It is to say that I want to show my beliefs in public places and ask only the respect of my rights to do so.

It is also heartwarming to see that among the many lights of Christmas are the red, white, and blue of our nation's flag. When we bring God back to our nation, when we wave our flag and bow our heads in prayer, I can't help but think that great healing will begin to occur in the wounds we have experienced.

RAYNETTE EITEL