Religious views have spot in open discussion

People always say it's not polite to discuss religion in public, but I disagree. In the United States, religion has always been tied to public life.

The magnitude of religion's role in public life has ebbed and flowed considerably throughout time, though.

Modern Americans feel that religion is an essential part of their public identity - many choose to define their public identity as a part of their religious identity, according to a recent article by Daniel Lichterman, published in the February 2007 edition of the American Sociological Review.

Judging from religious clashes we often see in Free Speech Alley and the comments section of The Daily Reveille's Web site, lsureveille.com, many University students also feel strongly about the role religion plays in public life.

The reactions we see at the University reflect a national trend - religion is once again a powerful force in the public life of most Americans.

Yet America's public face likes to pretend it is not a religious nation.

President Bush references Christianity in his speeches and appeals to conservative Christian base, but the official stance is that we are a nation that tolerates religious freedom while having no national religious identity.

Ignoring this may honor the separation of church and state; it cannot stop religion from affecting the public sphere.

Simply pretending something does not exist is not tolerance.

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