God 'amighty

God ‘amighty

Response to NYTimes editorial (submitted as letter to editor)

One wag’s response to President Bush’s recent statements on “intelligent design” was “That’s not just oxymoronic, in his case; it refutes the very proposition itself.”

But beyond quips, deep in the heart of what your “Dear Old Golden Rule Days in Texas” editorial (op-ed, 8.3) is about is the issue of ANY public use of “God”. The use itself puts the user in an identified position, and readers who would challenge it in a disadvantage.

How could offering a Bible study course as a high school elective count as “forcing religious teachings into the curriculum”, or “sincere believers deciding that children should be exposed to their own personal versions of how God works on earth”? As if making abortions a legal option forced anyone to ‘kill their baby.’ An absurd claim, in both cases.

Also, self-refuting. Since you apparently have no compunctions about using the “G-“ word yourself. What is the word supposed to communicate, until it is interpreted and applied? Who is supposed to interpret and apply it in West Texas if not the citizens of Odessa? Jews and Catholics in New York City?

I don’t think so.

Sid Thomas, Ph.D.