Readin', 'Ritin' and Religion

It plucks all the right chords: God, church, family values and freedom. But there are some practical problems with the new "equal access" bill, which handily passed the Senate, 88 to 11, whisked through the House, 337 to 77, and is expected to be signed this week by President Reagan.

The bill, an amendment to a $1 billion education package, makes it unlawful for public high schools to bar student gatherings for "religious," "philosophical" or "political" meetings outside class hours. Several safeguards are designed to preserve the line between church and state. Meetings must be voluntary and student initiated. Proponents argue that...