Letter to the editor: Public schools shouldn't teach religion

With the news about Oklahoma requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools, I offer my humble opinion.

No more separation of church and state. Everyone has their own opinion on this and everything in life, I am sure. My problem is whose bible and what is being taught. This is not a Christian, Jewish, Muslim or any other one-religion nation. The forefathers wrote all men are created equal, which they were before they wrote it.

So which bible? Torah, New Testament, Quran, Vedas, Pali Canon, Tao Te Ching, Guru Granth Sahib, Tattvartha Sutra, or another?

Unless your child goes to a private school that teaches religion as part of their curriculum per your wishes to send them to that school, you cannot fairly choose one. We don't all believe or worship the same. Some don't believe at all. Everyone has the right to believe the way they do or do not want to without having to be taught about a religion they do not believe in in a public school setting. Schools are not the place to teach any one religious philosophy.

The words "separation of church and state" do not appear in the U.S. Constitution, but the concept is enshrined in the very first freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise."

Public schools need to teach our children, but not religion. Even though many may feel they are the only ones right and their religious views should be imposed on others because they are right, they are not right about that. Does the Lord above not love all no matter what religion someone chooses to follow or not to follow the same? I sincerely and hopefully believe so.

Steven E Silver, Massillon