Who thinks that there should be a separation of church and state?

Question

Who thinks government should fund Christian and religious schools or Religious programs?

Answer 1

I am for a voucher program helping people send their kids to private schools.

If the private school (meeting the achademic credentials) is religious based, there needs to be assurances that the school isn't bigotted or teaching hatred before a voucher could be used to send a kid to the school.

A voucher would not likely cover the entire cost of the tuition. It would likely cover only 50%, while less than 10% of the lessons were religious. So you could make the arguement that the government funding is going to the academic learning, not to the religious element.

"Separation of church and state" does not mean "against religion. It means not favoring one religion over another. That means if vouchers are allowed to be used for Christian schools, they should be allowed for Muslim schools, or non-religious schools. NO double-standards, please.

Answer 2

I wish all religious people would recognize these facts:

1) The USA was one of the first countries to incorporate a separation of church and state.

2) The USA has the most vibrant and diverse religious participation in the world.

These two things are not coincidental. Thomas Jefferson saw this 250 years ago. Not only did he advocate the separation for the sake of government but he thought that comingling government and religion would be the death of religion.

Separation of church and state makes a government stronger and it makes religion stronger.

BTW, thank you for spelling "separation" correctly! It's one of those things that drives me nuts!

Answer 3

The only way for the govt. to fund religious schools and programs is to pass legislation authorizing it. This is a violation of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, which clearly states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

By passing a law exempting religious organizations from paying taxes, Congress has violated the 1st Amendment. An exemption cannot be created without stating it, and mentioning religion or religious organizations in the law is prohibited.

I support the Constitution. Attempts to circumvent the Constitution are treasonous.

Answer 4

The problem with the government funding religious programs is that, assuming not all religions are receiving equal support, the government is somewhat promoting one over the other.

Freedom of religion is so important in our country, and it is best to keep government and religion as separate as possible.

Answer 5

I don't think the government has the obligation to pay for any religious expenses other than their own. Not every member of the goverment is a "Christian", some are Catholic, some are spiritual, while others are athiests. Believers in God aren't entitled to having their expenses paid in full.

Answer 6

I agree that there should be a separation of church and state, I agree that if religions want to have their private schools then the members should pay for it. And I also think Church should keep it's nose out of politics and obey the law by NOT harboring Illegal immigrants and use Religious reasons for doing it.

Answer 7

This is question that was settled over 200 Years ago. The founding fathers said there should be separation of Church and State. Nothing in our history has ever shown this to be a bad idea. In fact it has served our nation well.

Why do people think that changing the Bill of Rights is a good idea?

Answer 8

Except for the Federalist papers, (which I doubt you've read) there is no mention in our FOUNDING documents of a separation of church and state. There is an "establishment clause" in the first amendment and I see no movement by the government to establish a state religion. Why don't you just say what you're thinking??? You don't like Christians!! And what "religious schools" are you talking about??
But you probably don't care that an Islamic front group gives training to gov't employees....

"CAIR has conducted "sensitivity" and cultural training with federal agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and with the military. In June, a senior Department of Homeland Security official from Washington guided CAIR officials on a behind-the-scenes tour of Customs screening operations at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in response to CAIR complaints that Muslim travelers were being unfairly delayed as they entered the U.S. from abroad."

or that the Democrats Meet with them to "Learn" about Islam.....

And They're being named as an unindicted co-conspirator in raising money for Hamas and Hezbolla...

Answer 9

NO...HELL NO!!!

My son goes to a private Catholic school. Not only because we are Catholic, but I do not want the government to be involved in his education.

Keep government out of our private schools. That is the reason that so many of us send our children there to begin with. Have you seen pulic schools since the inception of the Department of Education? No thanks...that is what we are trying to get rid of.

If you can't afford private/Christian school, then I suggest you contact your elected officials or become involved in another way to improve it. Don't drag the private schools down with you!

EDIT TO ADD----

I am not trying to be nasty...but just as people don't want religion in their public school, we don't want government in our religious school.

FAIR IS FAIR!!!

Answer 10

A school that can demonstrate that its students can pass (or do better than pass) the state's achievement exams should qualify for vouchers or other means by which parents can use their education tax dollars to pay tuition.

I have personal knowledge of a private Jewish school whose graduates learn about the Torah, and learn to read and speak Hebrew. They also get top marks in chemistry, physics, mathematics courses, and others. Graduates from this school are accepted to just about any college they desire to attend.

Why would we have any problem allowing the government to pay them to learn Hebrew? These students are going to repay tenfold or more any tax investment in their education by their lifetime income taxes.

Separation of Church and State simply means the government cannot tell us how to worship or pray. It does not require us to deny religion and the good things religion can help provide.