Honestly, I thought it would be Texas, but Florida beat them to it. While a federal judge is striking down one egregious violation of the Establishment Clause, the Florida House and Senate has voted to remove language from the state constitution which prohibits public funds from being used to subsidize religious organizations, setting the stage for the measure to be included on the November ballot. Ostensibly, this move is in reaction to the Florida Supreme Court's finding that the state's voucher program violated the state constitution, but it have they truly considered the consequences of state backed religious organizations? Will these state supported religious schools be required to follow the same curriculum as the public schools? Will they be held to the same non-discriminatory standards? Will they be allowed to proselytize to the children on the state's dime?
What about other religious-based organizations? The same questions apply and more. Who will determine which organizations receive funding and which are left to fend for themselves? What criteria will be used? Will they continue to enjoy their tax-free status and government subsidies? How long before religious minorities start to sue over discrimination?
As the neighbor stated in Robert Frost's "Mending Wall," "Good fences make good neighbors." The same is true of the wall between church and state. We must be ever vigilant against those who would try to go over, around or in this case, through that wall.
What about other religious-based organizations? The same questions apply and more. Who will determine which organizations receive funding and which are left to fend for themselves? What criteria will be used? Will they continue to enjoy their tax-free status and government subsidies? How long before religious minorities start to sue over discrimination?
As the neighbor stated in Robert Frost's "Mending Wall," "Good fences make good neighbors." The same is true of the wall between church and state. We must be ever vigilant against those who would try to go over, around or in this case, through that wall.