Faith sparks debate
Regarding “Editorial: Supreme Court wrong again: What’s private about coach’s 50-yard-line prayers?,” ( June 27): After reading your latest absurd argument against prayer in school or on a school football field I’m curious as to why the editorial board doesn’t mention what I would call the current indoctrination of children regarding critical race theory and pronouns.
That goes on daily in a number of public schools.
When I was in grade school, for example, every day began with the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Why is it that far too many editorial boards today are in marked contrast to some of the founding principles of this country?
“Freedom of religion” does not mean “abolition of religion.”
Eric Johnson, Houston
In 1989 I was teaching a Sunday school class on current issues and the subject was separation of church and state.
One of the young men raised his hand to say he played football at a Houston ISD school and felt very uncomfortable because at the beginning of the game the coach would gather the players around him, kneel and pray. The prayer being a Christian one.
The student said if he didn’t kneel he would stand out; if he did kneel, he felt he was being disrespectful and betraying his own faith.
In a public high school no child should have to make that choice.
Ellen Cohen, Houston
The Houston Chronicle writes an opinion that the Supreme Court botched another ruling, this one regarding prayer by a football coach on the field.
Hypocritical journalism.
I suggest the editors revisit Chronicle editorials of support when NFL players kneeled on the sidelines, before the games, in support of Black power.
I believe that’s a form of prayer. What’s the difference?
Come visit some of the Fort Bend
ISD schools and check out the various religious worship traditions that are allowed within these schools. To add, the Chronicle has a Christian Bible verse on its editorial page printed daily.
Greg Armstrong, Richmond
I have felt at odds with the Chronicle over the years and have written regarding my concerns many times. But your editorial about the right to pray was off the charts.
I don’t know what has led you to seemingly disregard and dislike religion, but you are way off base.
It is editorials like this and in general the hatred of faith being practiced that has led our country into the disarray that we now have.
Perhaps a little more faith and a little less hatred and we may actually have a civil society again. Think about it.
Brian Binash, Houston
Regarding “Anti-abortion demonstrators celebrate Roe ruling outside Houston’s Planned Parenthood,” ( June 25): I celebrate and echo the applause for the recent Supreme Court rulings overturning Roe v. Wade and protecting the freedom to pray in a public school setting.
The unborn in the mother’s womb is a child waiting.
Taking the lead, as the coach did, and briefly praying silently in an educational environment, stadium or a gym, is to be honored and recognized as the founders envisioned. Students learn to make decisions from modeling.
John Adams stated in 1798: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Bill Pond, Humble