Letters: On Fatimah Ali & prayer

RE FATIMAH Ali's argument for the inclusion of a moment of "silent mediation":

The establishment clause of the First Amendment (the first clause, perhaps indicating the priorities of the framers) has routinely and consistently been interpreted broadly to prevent public support or sponsorship of religious activity. The fact that some examples, such as our coinage or congressional prayers, have blurred this definition is not proof of the absence of the separation but instead unfortunate erosions of the First Amendment driven by our complex religious politics.

As an atheist, I ask: If "silent meditation" is so important to believers, why do they need a school to organize it? I believe the real answer is either for the purposes of proselytizing or giving religiousness an unconstitutional status in our public life - or both.

Anthony Hollingworth, Philadelphia