We have received feedback on this issue from people all across America. Review the graph to the left for a quick snapshot of the responses received to date, or read the responses below.

... a personal decision ...

January 28,2004

I agree with Julie 100%. Religion/faith is a personal decision, which should not be pushed upon anyone, yet that is what the current administration is attempting to do. Let people believe what they believe. Keep it out of schools, keep it out of government.

... based on reason ...

January 28,2004

I take responsibility for the decisions that I make in daily life without guidance from religious dogma or creed. My ego, thus, is not bound to a particular religion that I must defend based on faith. My decisions can, therefore, be based on reason, common sense, respect for myself and others.

... based on what the Bible says. ...

January 28,2004

I attend church weekly and disagreed with this question because of the last word. If the question would've instead said, "the scriptures I consider to be holy", in my case the Bible, then I would strongly agree. I try to make decisions (including my church choice) based on what the Bible says.

... I respect anyone ...

January 28,2004

I am not religious, do not believe there is a god, but I respect anyone who agrees strongly with this statement. I think religion raises one's morality if he truly believes there is a god, but this is not to say that atheists are not as moral.

... moral standards falling apart ...

January 28,2004

The reason our nation has had the success it has in the past is because God was our ultimate authority. (Check out the beliefs of the original founding fathers). Today, this nation has given in to the "lusts of the flesh" (greed for money, food carvings, sexual satisfaction outside of God's defined marriage commitment, lying, cheating and stealing to achieve power) and we see the moral standards falling apart. If we continue, we will also see our nation fall apart! If we do not seek to obey God first, God will withdraw his hand of protection and blessing from upon our land.

... majority dominates and excludes ...

January 28,2004

Not all religions have a god. So my religion does affect my beliefs but not a god. I was a little offended by images of Buddha intertwind with the God of Abraham. We must always be aware of how the majority dominates and excludes the rest of us. Why must my choice and the choice of my children be to pledge to a god or not be able to participate a pledge to my flag and my country.

... I have my own basic Buddhist ...

January 28,2004

I agree that I have my own basic Buddhist beliefs in which I base my daily decisions.

... seeking to do his will ...

January 28,2004

I feel that without acknowledging God and seeking to do his will all my choices are in vain.

... I do not always need ...

January 28,2004

I feel the depth of each person's understanding of life is due to so much more than the influence of the church. I do think the church can lift many into the world of ideas and allow us to embrace the teachings of the heart, but I personally am compelled to seek more. I do not always need the guidance of a church.

... fit the popular opinions ...

January 28,2004

There are people in this world who’s only focus is to remove the one True King, in order to do what is right in there own eyes. We as a people, God Fearing or not, black, white, or gray can allow this if we will. The Sprit of Adolf Hitler and many others like him are just waiting for a second chance. “ We must have some Law” and God’s law is the only one that will not change to fit the popular opinions.

... founded on a belief ...

January 28,2004

Our country was founded on a belief in God but did not want our government to dictate how to follow him as was in teh case of Europe and other parts of the world. The term "God" is generic and if some people want to use the term "Allah", or "The Budda" or "Christ" it is OK and better than having a few dictate to the majority. God is watching over us, whether we believe or obey.

... Without God we are nothing ...

January 28,2004

Without God we are nothing.

... I believe in state's rights ...

January 28,2004

I believe in state's rights, but I believe more in the rights of every person in the US to not be bombarded with religious propaganda. We make exceptions on holidays like Christmas, Easter and Hanuka, etc., but on a daily basis, citizens should not have to put up with dogma from a specific religious text.
I teach my students that there is a difference between fact and truth. And that truth is a matter of perception. The 10 commandments are not fact, but truth. Others may practice the precepts, but they don't necessarily believe the text.

... who don't define a monotheism ...

January 27,2004

So, according to this program, only christians get to have opinions on the subject? What about Jews, who feel the word, "god" is a sacriledge? What about other religions, who don't define a monotheism? Not allowing for alternative perspectives to the dominant religion is unfair and unjust!

How is it not a violation of the Constitution for the federal gov't. to REFUSE to allow churches to marry whom they choose worthy of a "sacred" union? Why shouldn't these denominations sue in federal court, for having their rights to religious practice forbidden? Just because the dominant religion demands heterosexual monogamy doesn't mean other religions shouldn't have their rights!

Finally, if "christ changed" Bush's "heart," that's the best testimony I've ever heard as argument AGAINST fundamentalist so-called christianity!

... I base my morals ...

January 27,2004

I don't make decisions based on my church. I make decisions based on what God said in his word (bible)
I base my morals on what I believe in my heart to be right. You may sometimes disagree with your church because everyone interprets the bible different. Only God knows the true meanings of the bible.

... People confuse God and religion. ...

January 27,2004

People confuse God and religion. Religion is a social instrument of man and is subject to mans interpretation. In my opinion whenever man gets involved in something they screw it up somehow. I don't think God cares one way or the other on these issues but loves that we do. Things are a lot different where God is at.

... ALL THE ANSWERS TO LIFE ARE REVEALED IN THE GOOD B ...

January 27,2004

I BASE MY LIFE ON MY BIBLE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LIVE A GOOD AND WHOLESOME LIFE THE BEST I CAN . ALL THE ANSWERS TO LIFE ARE REVEALED IN THE GOOD BOOK.

... we need to reflect our moral standards in every as ...

January 27,2004

Given that the majority of American citizens are Christian, we need to reflect our moral standards in every aspect of our life, rather than when it is confortable for us.
The diversity of our Christian beliefs is evident by the diversity of our Christian religions.
Regardless of what church a person attends, how often does it occur to that person that something said or done is not what our "church doctrine" defines as correct?
I personally hope that we as American citizens can continue to strive for "doing the right thing" regardless of our elected officials actions.

... The teaching of a church may differ from doctrines ...

January 27,2004

I would change only the word "church" and replace with the scriptures (Bible). The teaching of a church may differ from doctrines stated in the original texts of the scriptures.

... Many people rather than utilizing rational thought ...

January 27,2004

Many people rather than utilizing rational thought processes, instead use their religion as a crutch.