This is in response to “Overlooked blessing.” (Dec. 2)

I, too, was disappointed that so few kids mentioned “giving thanks” as a reason for Thanksgiving. Maybe we, as parents, need to amend our traditions to better emphasize to our children that the reason for the holiday is to express appreciation for what we have (as families and as citizens and residents of the United States).

But surely, no particular religion (Christianity, Islam, or my own faith, Unitarian Universalism) should have a lock on civic holidays or institutions. The reason for the civic holiday of Thanksgiving is to give thanks for our country – “to whom” is intentionally left blank, in a country where freedom of religion was, and continues to be, valued by the majority of Americans.

The point of the Pledge of Allegiance is to show allegiance to the United States, not to get distracted over the wording.

The reason for the civic institution of marriage is to promote social stability. Thanking God (whether you say Jesus, Allah, or Goddess), mentioning God (or choosing to omit that clause of the pledge) and marrying within the guidelines promoted by a particular faith are all still a matter of personal choice. For that, I am grateful.

Karen Lane, Lewiston