No school prayers

It should come as no surprise that the proposed bill to introduce a Bible study elective is a smokescreen to recycle Protestant Christian prayer back into the public schools.

For those members of the legislature too young to remember and those senior members who may find their memories a bit on the wane, the Supreme Court has ruled against school prayer (Engel v Vitale 1962).

If religion is to be incorporated into the curriculum as a legitimate course, why not include all religions and beliefs; from the Agnostics to the Zoroastrians. The students would get an introduction to philosophy, mythology and a glimpse of ancient history.

Religion can be divisive, and we have enough of those issues to deal with.

Joe Hardesty

Raleigh