IN THEORY:

A Bakersfield school district recently voted to display the expression “In God We Trust” on the walls of more than 2,300 classrooms and other places throughout the district. “We’re not going to accept the agenda of some radical leftists who want to expunge God from public dialogue,” said Chad Vegas, an evangelical pastor who serves on the Kern High School District board. He characterized it as a way to show the district’s patriotism. Opponents criticized it as an effort to promote religion in the schools. Do you think it’s appropriate to display phrases like “In God We Trust” in public schools?

The last thing that the founding fathers wanted was a theocracy, which is what the fanatics in Bakersfield want. Freedom of religion includes freedom from it, including its symbols and sayings in public places.

It is hard to figure out which God is trustworthy. Zeus frequently played dirty tricks on people. Baal required child sacrifices. Deuteronomy 21:21 decrees stoning to death any disobedient son. It goes on. In Luke 19:27 Jesus says to bring his enemies and slaughter them in his presence. Presumably whatever Jesus said was approved of by the Christian God. Such Gods don’t sound very trustworthy to me.

Jerry Parks

Member

Humanist Assn. of Orange County

This motto is already institutionalized at the national level, and its future will eventually be decided by the federal courts. Meanwhile, the issue in Bakersfield is strictly local and will be decided by its voters, including the Mormons.

In the Latter-day Saint community, this slogan would not offend us. If this were removed from classrooms, we would probably shrug our shoulders. We are too busy dealing with the fundamental issues of life to get bogged down in issues ultimately only symbolic in nature.

In a world where corruption manifests in high places, where families are struggling to maintain their efficacy, where parents are abandoning their responsibilities and where our citizens are divided on major issues, we would prefer to select our battlegrounds. Fighting for slogans is not our highest priority. Living standards of excellence and virtue will mean more to our children and to our country than any motto and should demand our unconditional commitment.

Tom Thorkelson

Director of Interfaith Relations for Orange County

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I would like to see information about world religions taught in public schools at every grade level. Being well-educated about religious traditions, religious diversity and interfaith dialogue has never been more important for peace. In contrast, religious indoctrination should not be permitted in the public classrooms. Instead parents should oversee the religious instruction of their children at the institution of their choice. Vegas is free to teach his religion to all who choose to come to his church. He is also free to discuss his views about God and radical leftists in public, for example, through the media. Posters with “In God We Trust” are a form of religious indoctrination. Let’s put the Bill of Rights on the posters and our money.

Rev. Dr. Deborah Barrett

Zen Center of Orange County

Costa Mesa

First you have to read the whole plan. They are creating posters with the Declaration of Independence, portions of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the original national motto “e pluribus unum,” and the current national motto “In God We Trust.” Of course these historical items should be displayed together as part of our national heritage. The courts have upheld that conclusion. If “In God We Trust” is the national motto, voted on by Congress, then it belongs anywhere we seek to inform people. Public facilities should all be allowed to display these documents.

The real question is should “In God We Trust” be our national motto. Most Americans believe in God, but trusting Him is a different question.

Ric Olsen

Lead Pastor

The Beacon