Questioning Istook's amendment.

I have a few questions regarding U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook's proposed Religious Freedom Amendment ("Decalogue Divide," July/August Church & State). As you know, it claims "to secure the people's right to acknowledge God...."

Would public school teachers who are Muslim be as free to invoke the name of Allah in front of their students as public school teachers who are Christian would be to invoke the name of Jesus in front of their students? I would like to know how evangelical Christians would react to their children being exposed to "not a real Christian" view from a Catholic or a Jehovah Witness or a Mormon.

Would non-Christian judges be just as free to decorate their courtrooms with religious artifacts as Christian judges would be?

Is there anything about the amendment that explicitly or implicitly defines "God" and what it means to "acknowledge" him?

If no such definitions exist, then it seems to me that at some point in the future members of minority religions will attempt to assert their right to "acknowledge God" and inevitably someone not of that religion will object and then the courts will try to decide what it means to "acknowledge God."

Of course, the minute the government attempts to define God, it is separating citizens into two groups: those who agree with the definition and those who do not.

I cannot believe that time and time again this Istook fellow keeps bringing this up. I respect Istook's right to worship as he pleases, but it seems to me that he has no respect at all for people who are not of his faith.

I also do not understand his insistence that religious liberties are violated by government not being allowed to acknowledge God. People have a right to free exercise. They do not have a right to government approval of their faith.

Please forgive my rambling. This guy really makes me mad.

I almost hope that this amendment passes. I believe the result would be a disaster. Only then might we convince those who would seek a sectarian government that it divides far more than it unites. It creates chaos, not harmony.

Thanks for the good work that you do.

Brian F. Seaberg

Delray Beach, Fla.