Public schools don't teach atheism

Public schools are not atheistic as Teri Paulson believes (Fence Post, Dec. 3) but are meant to be academic institutions that represent the best scientific and humanistic information provided by universities for the public good.

The writer is confused about the difference between belief in God and belief in a religion. Each religion teaches about their god and the expected behavior of those that believe in that specific religion. You cannot say people are atheistic because they don't believe in your god, your religion or the majority religion in your country.

Unlike Paulson, I am not aware of children who are taught to interpret the world as if God does not exist.

I do know that in 47 years teaching in public schools and universities, no administrator or curriculum prohibited me or other teachers to talk about the gods or about religions. No faculty meeting or workshop I attended ever limited teachers in their instruction in regards to religion or ever promoted atheism.

In fact, 40 years ago, I taught a course, "The Bible as Literature" in a public school at an Illinois state university. I have sponsored a Bible club at a Michigan public school. I have taught about religious ideas in a Legend, Myth, and Fable course at an Illinois public school. I doubt I promoted atheism.

What American public schools and teachers cannot do is promote religions and their interpretation of the world. Period.

As a citizen, I do not want tax money given to groups that wish to convert children to a religion that is often authoritarian and undemocratic. Religious education is a matter for parents to choose.

The Bill of Rights promotes freedom of religion, not license to proselytize by teachers, preachers or politicians in public schools. The schools must remain neutral.

David G. Kives

Hoffman Estates