Rumors that sound true. Are they?

At least one public school student has mentioned in our presence that teachers are asking if they go to church.

We've all heard of "Don't ask, don't tell" in regard to gays in the military. Religion in the public schools needs to follow similar rules, as far as the teachers and administration are concerned.

Don't ask the students; and don't tell them.

In the United States, people have the right to attend any church, or none. They have the right to believe in G*d, Allah, animal deities, voodoo, the Hindu gods, Jehovah, or Joseph Smith - among many others. And they have the right to not believe.

A right that gets ignored in our fair city is the right not to be required to tell what your beliefs are, or which church you attend. Just like the right to a silent, anonymous ballot, we Americans have the right to "silent religion."

A public entity or employee - be it a teacher, a principal, or the city council - can't require an answer to the question, "Which church do you go to?" or even "Do you go to church?" By law, those same people and entities aren't allowed to endorse any religion, even a generic Christianity.

It's a no-brainer, folks. I find no reference in the Bible that says you should be demanding that school children tell you about their religious preferences or which church they attend. I find plenty of references in the laws of the United States that you need to keep your trap shut.

It sure isn't a way to win converts. It's pushy, rude and disrespectful, not to mention illegal.

Put a lid on it.

With school graduations that sound like revivals, and school board meetings ditto, we believe the incident(s) likely happened. And before anybody gets bent out of shape about "taking religion out of the schools," no student can be stopped from praying to any God they wish, as long as they aren't disruptive.