Editor, the Gazette:

I was saddened to read that the Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Milton, Palmyra-Eagle and Whitewater school districts cancelled assemblies scheduled for March featuring the Power Team (Page 1B, Thursday). The reason cited by Milton Superintendent Peg Ekedahl was not to risk appearance of violating the separation of church and state.

The Power Team has been in public schools for years, using feats of strength to encourage students to resist drugs and alcohol. They understand the concerns of school districts and assure them that Christian beliefs won't be mentioned during their presentation.

Is something wrong here? Are our school districts being controlled by fear? Do we allow an e-mail from one community member who raises questions about the separation of church and state to influence our educational system?

I believe my voice represents many others who say we need to educate students not only intellectually but morally. It should be a combined effort between home, church and school. What if the name of Christ was mentioned in school? Does the name of Christ have the power to corrupt our young people? The Power Team takes care not to promote religion or politics while performing in public schools, but the school districts did not want any misunderstandings centered around the assemblies. I respectfully disagree with their assessment and conclusion. Students and their families deserve better. Religion and politics may be the reason for the cancellations, after all. That's too bad and makes me mad.

PASTOR KURT VERHOEVEN
Living Waters Assembly of God, Elkhorn

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Schools discriminate against Christians

(Published Tuesday, February 6, 2007 11:32:13 AM CST)

Editor, the Gazette:

I think the five school district superintendents who canceled the Power Team are discriminating against Christians. The Power Team said they take care not to promote religion or politics while performing in public schools.

One superintendent didn't want any "misunderstanding." How far do we push Christians away so there's no "misunderstanding"?

Don't we need all the help we can get to help our teens say "no" to alcohol and drugs?

JANE BIOJO
Janesville

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Gazette story on Page 1B Feb. 1 listed the Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Milton, Palmyra-Eagle and Whitewater districts as having canceled the Power Team events.

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Past Power Team events have encouraged religion

(Published Saturday, February 17, 2007)

Editor, the Gazette:

I'd like to respond to the Feb. 8 letter from Pastor Kurt Verhoeven. When I made my complaints, I researched news stories of past Power Team assemblies.

For example, the pastor claims the Power Team takes care not to promote religion or politics while performing in public schools. This is false. The Power Team has cheerfully conducted assemblies with a religious message, even in public schools that should know better.

I showed how they promoted even if they promised no religious message. They invited students to their crusade revival meetings, verbally or with literature. Read more on my Web at goJefferson.com.

According to the agenda of the meeting of the superintendents, they canceled the assemblies to avoid the notion that the schools were connected with promoting a crusade.

The pastor asks, what if Christ was mentioned? It depends on the context. Teachers can talk about Christ if they are teaching the world's religions. It would be inappropriate for them to tell students they must be Christians.

We prohibit promotion of religion out of respect for everyone's freedom of belief. I think everyone would object if a teacher told students they must pray a certain way, hold particular political beliefs or even shop at a certain store. We expect staff to teach, not preach. They don't give up those responsibilities when they hold assemblies.

I'm proud of Jefferson's Character Education process, where traditional values are expressed and taught every day - not just in assemblies.

JOHN FOUST
Jefferson