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.

... That's the way it should be! ...

January 28,2004

MY religious beliefs are none of YOUR business. That's the way it should be!

... I don't know the future ...

January 28,2004

I make my decisions based on what the Bible says, and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, because the Bible says that when I obey His leading, He will always cause me to triumph. I don't know the future, but God does, so when I follow what He says, I am supernaturally setting things in line that will help me in things to come. God is Good.

... what this county ...

January 28,2004

Everyone makes decisions based upon his or her values learned while growing up. The Christian values were what this county was founded upon and the Atheists are trying to devalue our moral and ethical values.

... encourage others ...

January 28,2004

I look to the scripture,my church, and prayer for guidance daily. I use them to make decisions on everything from the television my family watches to who I vote for. I also encourage others to do so.

... old USSR ...

January 28,2004

The day America deny GOD that is the day America become old USSR. whach out America.
The ruler of heven and earth
rule USA.DO't you forget that.

... leaders guide ...

January 28,2004

Religion can teach us to be intolerant, segregated and even hateful. People who let religious leaders guide their behavior & thinking exercise no free will, no conscience of their own.

... believe in the separation ...

January 28,2004

I am a minister of the Universal Life Church, a church where all religions are welcome under the same roof. My beliefs guide the way I live my life everyday, in every way. I believe in the separation of church & state as the only way to maintain the integrity of both religious organizations & government.
James Madison, 4th President of the US & one of the main contributors to the Constitution, stated in June 3, 1811
"Having always regarded tile practical distinction between Religion and Civil Government as essential to the purity of both and as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States."
I think what is happening in the US with the blending of church & state is very disturbing & very wrong. Government must stay out of religion but more importantly, Religion Must stay out of government. No religion has the right to impose their morality or religious opinions upon We The People. To allow any religion to guide the government or the people would reduce us to the same level as countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Thailand, Cambodia & Nepal.
The President is very wrong to use our tax money to support religious groups to do public & civil work normally done by secular organizations. James Madison vetoed such faith-based funding in 1811, stating "Because the bill vests in the said incorporated church an authority to provide for the support of the poor and the education of poor children of the same, an authority which, being altogether superfluous if the provision is to be the result of pious charity, would be a precedent for giving to religious societies as such a legal agency in carrying into effect a public and civil duty."
I believe it is illegal for the President to go around Congress (who vetoed the faith-based initiative) by executive order to fund religious organizations with our tax money.
I believe it is an atrocity to have a person who is in need, at a vulnerable time in their life, go to a government funded program run by a religious organization to be bombarded with religious propaganda in order to receive benefits. That is a violation of that person's Constitutional rights.
To finish, there is no data available to prove that faith-based programs are any more successful than secular programs in any way.
I posted a poll at the ULC forum asking: Do you believe religious groups should be able to receive federal grants?
The results were:
Yes [ 4 ] [12.50%]
No [ 21 ] [65.63%]
Only if all religions are eligible [ 7 ] [21.88%]

I am a minister whose life is completely guided by my spiritual beliefs, who firmly supports the separation of church & state in order to honor the Constitution & maintain the integrity of the US.

... opened the doors ...

January 28,2004

Now that we as a nation have removed every refrence of God, We have become a nation of lost people. We are committing suicide. We have removed God from our class rooms, our children and their children will now suffer. America as long as we kept God as the center of our lives we were being blessed. Now that God has been removed, we have opened the doors to constant attack. I Pray that a great Revival start in this nation, And let it begin with me.

... better to know ...

January 28,2004

It is better to know than to guess. Faith isn't knowledge. To praise "faith" is to praise ignorance.

... a conscious life ...

January 28,2004

I prefer to live a conscious life that's an expression of my values, than to follow the prescribed teachings or belief of any organized religion. While I know organized religion seems to bring millions of people a feeling of comfort, spiritual wholeness or community -- I cannot help but feel that it overwhelmingly leads to war (throughout the ages) and intolerance (e.g. the conservative bishop's statements on your show about homosexuality).

... my family's rock. ...

January 28,2004

Our Church and our Faith is my family's rock.

... pretend to accomplish ...

January 28,2004

Belief in a higher power is a central fact in my life, but I also allow for others to have the same right, knowing that their beliefs are shaped as mine are from their family, cultural and sometimes economic values. I would not attempt to tell others that they are wrong for not believing as I. I am an Episcopalian, supporting my denomination, but also disagreeing with the consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson. He is a divorced man living in a relationship outside of marriage. Gay or straight, that is wrong to me.
However, my faith demands that I pray for Bishop Robinson's well-being, and I hope he is praying for me. I believe even the most liberal Christian is welcome at God's table. And I must look for Christ in others and serve Him through my thoughts and actions toward others, especially those who are different.I must also extend my beliefs in justice, truth and peace to others who are not Christians. The Book of Common prayer says that I am to work for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being. That is a tall order that I do not pretend to accomplish.But I am trying, with God's help.

... a good thing ...

January 28,2004

I have a good idea how the other leaders of our government would react if a Muslum or other religion was elected to office and started to add their religous beliefs to the government. This might be a good thing because I think those who suuport government and religion now would have a change of heart.

... unsaved people ...

January 28,2004

For all of the unsaved people trying to get religon out of this country, Please accept Jesus Christ as your savior so I will get to see you in heaven. YOU ARE LOST IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE! Read the Bible and believe the Gospel. Jesus can save your soul! I know; He saved a wretch like me.

... nothing to do ...

January 28,2004

Religion has nothing to do with my ethics. In point of fact, history has shown us that most of the atrocities committed throughout the centuries have occurred in the name of religion. Religion is just another way of saying, "We're right, you're wrong, and we're better than you are because we're right." Get over it!

... his strong faith ...

January 28,2004

Dear PBS,
With out the faith of the founding fathers, we would be lost on the slippery slope. Please keep up the good work. I am strongly for President George Walker Bush's openness concerning his strong faith. I thank God for his gifts. I thank PBS for their effort to show all aspects of this critical matter. Thank you for having Judge Moore, A REAL MAN, on your show.

... remove this ...

January 28,2004

this nation was founded on jesus and god and nothing has happened to change this fact. if we remove this from our society we are lost as a nation.

... Reason and common sense ...

January 28,2004

Religions plays no part in my life except to the extent I have to fend off the advances of those who would try to force their religious beliefs on me. Reason and common sense should be sufficient to guide us in our treatment of each other in a communal society. Religion certainly hasn't been successful in accomplishing this.

... base for laws ...

January 28,2004

We desperately need God in School,Home and as a base for laws and general good for every one.

... effective democratic societies ...

January 28,2004

I believe a clear and consistant separation of church and state is crtical and essential for having and maintaining effective democratic societies and institutions.