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What confuses conservative politicians and religious fundamentalists about the constitutional separation of church and state in America?
Despite countless rebuffs in state and federal venues, including the United States Supreme Court, the zealots continue to introduce forms of worship in public institutions.
The latest outrage is this past week's action of the Colorado State Board of Education encouraging its public schools to display the national motto, In God We Trust, established by Congress in 1956 to replace E Pluribus Unum.
It is bad enough that Congress required the deity motto to be placed on America's silver dollars, quarters and half dollars since 1908, pennies since 1909, dimes since 1916 and paper currencies since 1955.
That official thumbing of the nose at the Establishment Clause continues despite the Supreme Court outlawing public-school prayers and devotionals in 1962, prayers and Bible reading in 1963, commencement prayers in 1992 and prayers at athletic events this year.
How is it that religion can't be established in America's public schools, but can be on America's money and in its pledge of allegiance?
The irony is that all students in public schools carry and use the money and many are required to recite the pledge during school days. (9 JULY 2000)
