Regarding the Dalai Lama's May, 2000 visit to Salt Lake City:

"I was recently made aware that the Dalai Lama is visiting Utah in May, 2001. I am interested in the opinion of the Institute concerning the visit. Could you please relay any information you have on the subject." -- Jessica Rasmussen

Institute's reply to Ms. Rasmussen:

"The Dalia Lama will be warmly received in Utah, as he should be.

There is evidence that the State of Utah is overly involved in what is clearly intended to be a religious visit by the Dalai Lama. This organization is monitoring the matter to assure that the State does not endorse, or become perceived as endorsing, Tibetan Buddhism over other religion/nonreligion. Thus far as a result of our monitoring, sponsors of the Dalai Lama's visit removed a statement from their website which indicated that Governor Leavitt and the State of Utah were among the sponsors of the Dalai Lama's visit. [See release]

This organization welcomes the Dalai Lama's visit to Utah as exemplary of America's free forum of religious expression. If you want to know more about the Dalai Lama's schedule, see www.utahtibet.org."

Communications resulting from the Institute's report condemning the Earth Day ceremony at W. Russel Todd Elementary:

"... Unfortunately, it appears that items were included on the SLOC [Earth Day] program at Todd Elementary School which were not in conformance with Establishment Clause restrictions. To the extent that that occurred, Uintah School District regrets those lapses and apologizes to any one who was offended by that activity. ... You are advised that your report has prompted a careful evaluation at the District level of the policies and procedures relating to programs sponsored by outside groups and entities. ..."

"...I am ashamed to say I was unaware of your organization until the Deseret News reporter adverted me to your thoughtful analysis of the SLOC Earth Day Ceremony. I came away enlightened, enriched, and reminded once again that 'eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.'" --Stephen C. Clark, Legal Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

"Congratulations! Great Job! -- William Perry Pendley, President and Chief Legal Officer, Mountain States Legal Foundation, Denver, Colorado.

"This is terrific. I love it when everybody has to play by the same rules!" -- Marianne M. Jennings, professor of legal and ethical studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.

"Great job!" -- Michael Coffman, author and consultant, Bangor, Maine.

"... I agree ... that we should have separation between church and state. ... I do, however, think there may be a difference between spirituality and religion. ... I do believe that there is legitimately a spiritual dimension to life that is approached through organized religion but exists in all people regardless of whether they embrace a specific church. It sounds as if this (SLOC Earth Day) program was simply acknowledging this spiritual element of life, and of nature in particular, without condoning any particular religion. Does your organization desire to prohibit any acknowledgement of spirituality as part of human experience? ... [I]t almost seems as if [the Jefferson 21st Century Institute exists] out of frustration that since religious ideals you would like to see espoused have not been allowed you don't want anyone else to be able to do anything remotely religious either. ... -- Brad Mortensen, Brigham City, Utah.

From Institute's response to Mr. Mortensen:

" ... Neither the law nor the Institute accepts any distinction between "spirituality" and "religion." ... Spirituality is religion. The Institute welcomes religion and spirituality in all aspects of life as carried by individuals through their daily affairs. The Free Exercise Clause and the Establishment Clause protect these individual rights. ... The Institute was not formed out of "frustration" that certain religious practices may have been excluded from public schools or other venues. Those supporting the Institute come from a wide variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds. ... We are not frustrated when the Constitution blocks any religious group from using government to promote its beliefs. We are frustrated when any religious group attempts to circumvent the Constitution to use government to promote its beliefs. ... Contrary to your apparent assumption, aspects of these [Native American and eco-spiritual] forms of religion (or 'spirituality,' if you prefer) are not uniformly accepted by everyone in society. Because there has never been, and will never be, a uniform spirituality in temporal life, honoring the First Amendment to the Constitution is essential."