To the editor,

It is a sad state of affairs to have the issue of release time take up so much attention when discussion could work out a solution other than eliminating what is lawfully given.  

The voice of opposition is louder than is warranted by numbers concerned for the children's complete education. So it was in 1963 when the well know atheist, Madeline Murray O'Hare got on the bandwagon of removing prayer from schools.  It was predicted that there would be a burgeoning of parochial schools, and so it happened, much to the detriment of public education.  Remarkably, the World Council of Churches supported removing prayer from the schools.  

I have seen graphs indicating how test scores have gone down since prayer was taken out of the schools. More money is being spent, but it isn't getting the results.  There is more violence and bullying.  We need God. How remiss we are to think we can do it ourselves. "The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7)

Can any teacher say there is no wasted time in the classrooms? Surely these teachers can find something for the students who remain behind to do other than call it babysitting.  How about teaching character and good behavior?  Or have the students memorize a poem or play learning games?

Bill Gothard, a well known Christian leader, was failing in elementary school until his uncle told him his grades would improve if he would do one thing:  Memorize scripture.  He memorized large portions of scripture and his grades improved dramatically.  Given the time to accomplish this, release time can  motivate children to lay up God's word in their heart.

Littlefork maintains release time until April and they do not find it a problem. In one group there are 10 students and seven of them do not have a church they go to otherwise.  This is an opportunity for them, with their parents permission, to round out their education.

And yes, there are many many schools which do not even know what release time is. We have been blessed.

Our problem is that one man went to the superintendent and got a program cut short which affects many others.

Now I suggest those churches that do not want to have extended release time just stop when they are finished and let their students stay in school.  How simple. Their students can pursue their school based education and still allow others the privilege of more religious education.

Miriam Burchell

Kabetogama, MN