CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY JUNE 23, 2022
THE SUPREME COURT ON TUESDAY STRUCK A BLOW WHICH COULD BE DECISIVE IN BREAKING-UP ONE OF AMERICA’S FEW REMAINING MONOPOLIES – THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE COURT RULED STATE PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE MONEY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TUITION CANNOT EXCLUDE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.
WRITING FOR THE MAJORITY, CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS SAID MAINE’S PROGRAM “PROMOTES STRICTER SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE THAN THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION REQUIRES.” HE SAID THE MAINE TUITION PROGRAM IS NOT NEUTRAL BECAUSE, “THE STATE PAYS TUITION FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS AT PRIVATE SCHOOLS SO LONG AS THE SCHOOLS ARE NOT RELIGIOUS. THAT IS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST RELIGION.”
CHURCH-STATE SEPARATION WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO KEEP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM ESTABLISHING AN OFFICIAL CHURCH, AS IN ENGLAND. BUT SINCE THE COURT OUTLAWED PRAYER AND BIBLE READING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE 1960S, IT HAS BEEN USED TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE AND INSTITUTIONS OF FAITH. THE RULING IN THE MAINE CASE MAY ADVANCE SCHOOL CHOICE AND ALLOW ESPECIALLY POOR CHILDREN TRAPPED IN FAILED PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO GET A GOOD EDUCATION AND IMPROVE THEIR CHANCES FOR A BETTER LIFE. I’M CAL THOMAS.
