We have a government that condones the teaching of homosexuality in schools, a government that believes that it's all right for a teenage girl to get an abortion without her parents' knowledge or consent and a government that does not allow voluntary prayer in our schools.

Yet, in the wake of the recent shooting incidents at Columbine and Heritage high schools, teachers sought comfort and solace by praying together with the students during the shootings. I'm confused, so perhaps some staunch liberal can help me understand why, in a crisis, it is okay to pray in schools but students are not permitted to do so at other times. It appears that we are falling apart as a society and have lost our moral compass. We live in a cultural dedicated to violence and death.

Today, many children appear to be self-righteous and believe that whatever they want to do they can, and neither parents nor teachers can stop them. If they should try, some staunch liberal cause will quickly defend their rights.

I remember a time that parents backed up teachers and administrators who were disciplining their children for infractions of school rules. Unfortunately, today many parents instinctively take their kids' side in controversies over school discipline and even threaten legal action over it.

Recently at a PTO meeting that I attended, school board member Greg Powers commented that it was nice to see such a huge attendance and that he would like to see that level of participation at the high school level. Why is it that parents seem to lose interest in their child's involvement in high school?

I believe that parents should be more active in their child's school; attend the PTO meetings in force; learn who their children's friends are; support the teachers and fight for the right to have voluntary prayer returned to the schools.

I'm not trying to condemn the liberals nor any other group for what is happening in our society or our schools, but as a parent I am angry and alarmed at the recent violence that has occurred. We are a nation in shock looking to blame someone for the immoral behavior and lack of respect for human dignity and the moral decay in our society.

I have a son who is in the second grade at Braelinn Elementary and it is difficult to explain to him the recent violence and why his school has a “lock-down” or “lock-in.” These are terms that I associate with a prison not a public school.

I believe that schools should be more alert than ever to possible violence, and more sure than ever that counseling is available to children who genuinely need it. However, I also believe that school officials should be careful not to overreact or panic by having “lock-downs” when it is not appropriate or justified. It only adds to the disruption to normal school operations and frightens the children.

In short, our country was founded on a basic belief in God and somehow we have lost sight of this fundamental principle. Why can the U.S. Congress begin each session with a daily prayer and my son can't pray in school?

In his recent visit to Atlanta, Vice-President Gore said it best when he stated that “I believe the lesson to the nation is clear: In those instances where the unique power of faith can help us meet the crushing social challenges that are otherwise impossible to meet... we should explore carefully tailored partnerships with our faith community.”

It is time tear down the wall of division between church and state and allow our children to have voluntary prayer in our schools. Hopefully, this will lead to the return of family values and respect for life.

Russ Parry

Peachtree City

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