Ernest Istook vs. James Madison

You may have noticed that Oklahoma's own, U.S. Rep. Ernest J. Istook, is again attempting to add a school prayer amendment to the Constitution. Istook's “Pledge and Prayer Amendment” would permit public schools to sponsor prayer and religious worship and would allow government to display sectarian symbols and religious codes like the Ten Commandments in government buildings. The House rejected an earlier version of the amendment in 1998.

Rev. Barry Lynn of Americans United for Seperation of Church and State has charged that Istook is reintroducing the amendment now to capitalize on Religious Right-led hysteria over the recent ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals striking down recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools because of its religious content. “This amendment will foster a type of religious mob rule in our public schools,” said Lynn. “Religious majorities will be able to impose their faith on everyone else. That runs counter to the spirit of true religious liberty.”

Please, Congressman Istook, leave our Constitution alone. You can't improve upon James Medison.