Just a few thoughts regarding the editorial of December 21, 2005, "Christmas and Chanukah are not Secular Holidays."

We also recently attended several school concerts. Rather than the seasonal reminders of a cold lifeless frozen tundra we were met with the love and excitement of children performing for their parents, grandparents, teachers and peers, beaming pride felt by teachers and staff as they watched and warm and heartfelt applause that greeted the conclusion of each act. It is sad that the Editor was unable to enjoy the performances because of personal religious convictions.

As I read this editorial, it took me back in history, when the first immigrants came having run away from religious persecution. This in turn brought me to the founding fathers, who, in their eminent wisdom and as part of the foundation for our laws, constitutionally prohibited State or Federal government from religious establishment. This conviction has been continually upheld by our Supreme Court. Schools are forums, constitutionally protected, from religious incursions.

Furthermore, just who or what has succumbed or been deprived by "the misguided sense of correctness and entitlement that is sweeping our country." By use of the term "our" is a personal view expounded? A religious view? The view of Christian, Jewish, Shinto, Buddhist, agnostic atheist or any of the other persuasions who populate "our" country and are equally entitled to protection from establishment of religion?

Does the absence of religious content in school concerts mean that we are prohibited from following our religious dictates in our houses of worship? Our homes? Anywhere else? If to be against the injection of religion in the town square, school institutions and in our hearts is pandering, although permitted by law, why is not the attempt at injection of religion in the town square, institutions and in our hearts not reverse pandering in violation of principles of law?

Abigail Adams, at the time of the decision to move to Independence, never hinted that the establishment of religions should be a basic right, (a position not even supported by a reading of the quoted passage of her letter to her husband). Instead, the authors of the Constitutions made it crystal clear that establishment of any religion was prohibited. This has served us well for almost 230 years.

Just a few thoughts.

Name Withheld Upon Request