Debate over Bartlett HS’s moment of silence

I read with some bewilderment Mr. Perlman’s letter on Feb. 2nd. He finds Bartlett High School’s “moment of silence” to be “absolutely disgusting.” His reasoning is that “our Founding Fathers came to America in search of religious freedom and created our country based on the principle of separation between church and state.”

Mr. Perlman better review his early American history notes. Our Founding Fathers established the concept of separation of church and state to call attention to these two distinct institutions ... both created by God, ordained by God, and accountable to (or under) God.

Each institution had its distinctive tasks to perform, and neither was to usurp the other’s sphere of authority. It is the task of the church to preach the gospel, administer the sacraments and nurture the souls of its members. It is the state’s responsibility to order society, collect taxes, govern business, maintain an army and protect life and property.

Our Founding Fathers recognized civil government as something that was authorized by God.

Mr. Perlman, along with some others, has reinterpreted the concept of separation of church and state to mean the separation of state and God. He apparently wants the government to be out from “under” God. He wants the government to have its own power and authority.

The Founding Fathers never in their wildest dreams intended that. In fact, they believed that no government should be separated from God. It was God who ordained the government and gave it the power to rule. The church and the state may have different responsibilities ... but they are both under God’s authority and accountable to Him.

Mr. Perlman may certainly voice his opposition to Bartlett High School’s “moment of silence,” but his reference to our founding father’s concept of “separation of church and state” is totally in error.

Rande Wayne Smith

Bartlett