President Steve Bannon has previously called for a Christian Holy War, not merely against Islamic Jihad, but against secularism.  Part of his overall plan is to remake education in this country to inculcate "Judeo-Christian values".  This is something we should be concerned about.

The term "Judeo-Christian" was popularized after WWII as a gesture of inclusion, and to present a united front against "Godless Communism".  But it's a bogus term.  They're two different religions-- for starters, Judaism does not accept Jesus as their Messiah, and never will.  But Christianized public schools would be teaching this.  (And perhaps anti-Semitism as well, which is a historic aspect of Christianity, grounded in the New Testament.)

Christian favoritism would not only be unfair to Jewish students and parents, but students and parents of all other religious traditions and none.  It's a recognized conservative value that it's the parents' right to direct the upbringing of their children.  Parents who are Buddhist don't send their kids to public school to have them come home Baptist!

But those intent on Christianizing the public schools have a different idea.  They're eager to get their clutches on little, unchurched children so they can indoctrinate them.  That's not their job, and not a valid function of government.  Government has no Constitutional authority to have a favorite religion to promote.  If they ever claim that authority and make it official, we will no longer be a Democracy, but a Theocracy.  And papering it over with a phony term like "Judeo-Christian" won't change that fact.

Those of Christian bias should try to see other people's point of view for a change.  How would they feel if the public schools they sent their children to were indoctrinating them in Islam?  That's a no-brainer.  Christian parents have raised a stink when their children were being taught ABOUT Islam-- something we should all know about-- not being indoctrinated.  They've raised a stink about yoga, as if it would turn their kids Hindu.  So how about being considerate of people of other faiths or none?  Is that too much to ask?  Or is religious aggression an inescapable part of the faith?  If so, don't expect much social harmony going forward.

Sincerely,

Stephen Van Eck

Rushville, PA

When I meet in my travels a new acquaintance, and we finish a conversation, and we are about to depart, I say to them, "May you enjoy the Gift of Life."

An acquaintance is someone I meet for the first time at a grocery store or when I am waiting on line to enter a restaurant, movie theater or sports event.

This achievement of conversation is accomplished when there is eye contact and a friendly smile between myself and the other person. Often, it is my wife whom initiates a conversation.

You see, she gets it. We are all brothers and sisters (Earthlings) under an umbrella of a life giving atmosphere. Moreover, let us be reminded as we take for granted we are all here as living creatures; we are all God's children. So many times we take for granted, and seem to be merely surviving, life's necessities: food, shelter and clothing. So many times we take for granted surviving life's obstacles such as sickness or accidents.

Let us not forget we are all "The chosen ones." Let us not forget that most days are good days and sometimes it takes a splinter in ones finger to remind us of this. So, I make this suggestion for all of you to pass this on, "May you enjoy the gift of live."

Sincerely,

Larry Gary

Gibson, PA