On Jan. 24, a My Turn printed in The Press called for a Constitutional Amendment to ensure complete parental control over the upbringing and education of their children. Its rationale for this action was that God had ordained it. Further, the author seemed to think it was an inherent right of American parents. This is dangerous, it would require changes to at least two existing amendments and risk the safety of our children.

God's will cannot be the basis for Constitutional action. Title XI of the Treaty of Tripoli negotiated under George Washington, signed by John Adams and ratified by the unanimous consent of the Senate specifically states, "... the Government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion." Under the First Amendment, the federal government can't prefer Christianity as the source of law.

In any case, giving sovereign power to the parent takes away the shelter of the Constitution and the common law for children. Several years ago Child Protective Services took a pair of twins away from the mother. They were being raised in a filthy, feces-smeared room. Under this amendment the state would have no recourse but to allow the parents to choose that method of upbringing. Giving parents unlimited power takes away the right of the child to be protected from the brutal or lecherous parent. The XIVth Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law for all Americans. This would have to be amended to implement this proposal.

The author also shows a lack of understanding of the intent of the Framers of the Constitution. The article claims that the Constitution was written to protect the rights of individual citizens. This simply isn't the case. The Constitution was created to put into place a strong central government. After having suffered under the Articles of Confederation, which nearly destroyed the new nation, the Founders knew that only a government which could enforce taxation and interstate commerce would do. Most of the quasi-anarchist Right prefers to ignore Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution giving the new state not only enumerated powers but also allows for the Congress to enact laws for its various departments.

Giving parents sovereign rights allows for child abuse without giving the child the protection of the law. It is not a matter of parental rights. It is, however, a matter of social concern. The article's author claims that parents "ought to reflect the image of God." Unfortunately, for some parents that god is Baal-Moloch, the Carthaginian god who demanded the sacrifice of children, rather than the gentle God of the New Testament.

Jeff Bourget is a Coeur d'Alene resident.