IN THEORY:

Atheist activists recently sued to stop Colorado’s governor from issuing proclamations they say endorse a particular religion, an effort that is part of a broader move to overturn the 1952 law recognizing a National Day of Prayer. Gov. Bill Ritter Jr.’s office said the proclamation “is nothing more than what it says — a recognition of a personal choice to pray.” Meanwhile, a lawsuit in California seeks to block prayers and any mention of God during the inauguration of President- elect Barack Obama. Do you think these efforts have merit, or are the activists taking too extreme a position?

The Eisenhower administration’s inappropriate insertion of the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance continues to stir up problems. It would have been opposed by nearly all of our country’s founders, who wanted to keep religion out of all governmental activities.

David Habecker, who has lost a governmental job for simply refusing to recite “under God” as part of the pledge, should be rewarded for his back pay and then some. And the “National Day of Prayer” proclamation was just another step to intimidate freethinkers and those who belonged to minority religions, while showing improper support for a major religion.

Naturally, those opposed to intertwining religion and politics have reacted to such behavior with lawsuits which, unfortunately, can end up increasing the antagonism on both sides.

Clearly anyone can pray silently at any time at any place, but the government, to support our founders and our Constitution, as well as to decrease tension, should not include religion as part of any official governmental activity.

Jerry Parks

Member, Humanist Assn. of Orange County

Meditation, prayer and reflection are essential to the spiritual life, but I do not believe they should be promoted by the government. The Constitution ensures that individuals and groups may engage in religious practices such as prayer in public as well as privately. There is no need for the government to use taxpayers’ money to support, recognize or proclaim these religious activities. In far too many situations, one religion ends up being favored over others.

Civil rights are indeed extreme, and surveys show that most Americans will not sign the Bill of Rights. As the United States becomes more ethnically and religiously diverse, practices like inauguration prayers that were once accepted without a thought will be challenged. I think such customs will be dropped in time, and lawsuits provide one way to raise awareness about the real meaning of religious freedom.

The Rev. Deborah Barrett

Zen Center of Orange County

Costa Mesa

I have been surprised by the recent protest of asking God’s blessing upon our country through prayer. Do we all seek to be heathens? There is a growing longing in our country for spirituality. Restoring a living relationship with God, would at least bring us closer to the Messianic era, becoming better people, and reduce greed and selfishness. All this requires an affirmation of God through prayer.

“Post-modernity,” a new word coined last year in reaction to the unbelievable happenings of 2008 caused all by man’s imperfections and lust for materialism and lack of consideration for fellow human beings, cries to put God back in our lives as No. 1! It is our duty to find God in our lives.

We as a nation are autonomous. The word “autonomy” means by the independence of one (i.e. you). One cannot live like this. To suggest that our relationship with God must play a direct role in our ethical deliberations of making decisions with our incoming president would panic only the minority of us. Our human response to God cries out for worldwide prayer. A strong faith to live with this commitment excites me. I do not see that anything less would be adequate for our nation’s problems that have been brought this past year upon us not from God, or nature, but from man.

Economically, this recession has been brought on by ourselves, by cheating each other. Renew a covenant with God. Pray often and bring spirituality back into your life with God.

Rabbi Marc Rubenstein

Temple Isaiah