Letter: Don’t force beliefs on others

Friday, March 7, 2003 | 9:32 a.m.

It's unfortunate that Dr. Apache, in his letter of March 5, advocates that we set an example for our children by violating the law. Although our Constitution and our laws clearly prohibit prayers or endorsement of religion in public schools, Dr. Apache applauds the Clark County School Board for violating the law.

In addition to prayer in schools, Apache advocates that public school children be taught mathematics and reading by forcing them to read the Bible for their lessons. Would Apache censor out the sex and violence portions or would he allow students to read the unexpurgated version?

Instead of acting illegally, Apache and our School Board should lobby our Congress to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution declaring that the United States is a theocracy, similar to the form of government in Iran or under the Taliban. (The only difference would be that our government would officially be a Judeo-Christian theocracy rather than a Muslim theocracy.) Then, at least, we would not delude ourselves into thinking that this country is a democratic republic in which governments do not push a particular religious belief.

Together with approximately 25 million other Americans who do not profess a belief in God, I don't want my children and grandchildren to be subjected to the illegal and immoral actions of school boards forcing their beliefs on us.

MEL LIPMAN