MY CONTROVERSIAL OPINION ON SCHOOL CHOICE

I would like to briefly state an opinion of mine (and my wife’s) that frequently draws the ire of Christians.

Currently many Christians are working for "school choice." School choice would be where the Government allows children to attend the school of their choice, and if they choose to attend a private school the state would provide a "voucher" worth a few hundred or thousand dollars which could go toward tuition to a private school.

Understandably, many Christian parents see this as a way of being able to send their children to a Christian school. I appreciate their concern. They are tired of their kids being taught gay is ok, how to meditate and the fact of the Theory of Evolution. I am too.

In the short term, school choice does indeed look appealing to Christians, but we feel if you look long term and look at recent history, you will see it could easily be the death warrant of the Christian schools as we now know it.

Imagine this scenario: a law is written for school choice that states private schools may admit anyone they choose, and they may teach anything about religion as they see fit. The Christian would feel safe and secure.

Imagine, however, a year or two down the road two parents file a Federal Law Suit, claiming First Amendment Violations, in addition to the school’s teaching on salvation and hell causing severe emotional distress and irreparable harm for their youngster. The school replies by pointing to the law, and the parents reply by saying "I will see you in court."

Can the Christian schools even afford to fight this in court?

When it does go to court I envision the courts mandating the schools that accepted government funds are violating the First Amendment. I could easily envision the courts ordering the termination of any lessons on salvation, heaven or hell since it may upset a child.

In this case I believe in the separation of church and state. Keep the Government out of the Christian schools and let them continue to teach salvation is through Christ.