Mr. Mike Newdow is working to restore Constitutional neutrality to our Pledge of Allegiance. More information can be found at his web site: Restore our Pledge of Allegiance (external link)
As an atheist, I felt the horror and the shock of the suicide attacks just as every other American did. My heart is also uplifted as I learn of the many heroic and noble acts performed by Americans around the nation.
Letter writers ask why we still have separation of church and state if we see so much prayer in this time of crisis. I think the answer is that prayer is only one means of coping.
The writers forget that we are a nation founded on freedom of conscience with respect to religion. Certainly the 10 percent of American citizens who are nonreligious are disenfranchised each time the government tells them to pray. Bringing church and state together infringes upon each citizen's ability to choose for themselves the proper religion, or lack of religion. Religious neutrality benefits everyone, and harms no one.
--Kevin Schultz, Sacramento
Sacramento Bee, Published 2001-09-29
