Lynn v. Sekulow

Recently in Christian Schools Category

Monday August 3, 2009

Volunteering Works, Vouchers Don't

Jay,

I think it's great that so many Americans want to volunteer for good causes, and I have no problem that many want to work with faith-based groups. Americans can volunteer for and/or donate to the charity of their choice; the government, however, cannot.

The First Amendment makes it clear that public funds should never go toward religious activities. Yet, certain people want to keep pushing programs that will do just that. One of those programs is happening right here in our backyard, and I would like to know how anyone can even justify it.  

The program I'm talking about is the "D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program," which thanks to a few select senators, may be reauthorized, despite the fact that it is unconstitutional and completely unsuccessful.

Wednesday March 11, 2009

Vouchers Go Down; Irony Barely Survives

Just yesterday, the Senate trounced the effort to create a kind of "voucher scheme forever" for the District of Columbia.  The vote was 58 opposed and 39 in favor.  The issue will not ever go away, of course, because the facts apparently don't matter to a significant minority of people.

As I pointed out in my earlier post, voucher plans do not work.  Some of the parents in the DC program actually don't like the program, many parents eligible for it don't even apply, and in general the students themselves have mixed reactions (but don't feel particularly safer in their new schools than they did in their old ones.)  But, I digress with the facts.


Wednesday March 11, 2009

Vouchers Support Parental Choice

Barry, what's wrong with giving parents a real choice about what school to send their children to? Parents are in a much better position than you or I to decide whether the public schools in their community are providing a solid education in a safe environment.

 

Your claim that conservatives are guilty of supporting socialism by arguing for voucher programs is absurd. A basic premise of our public school system is that taxpayers provide students with an education without regard to their family's income. It is no more "socialist" to allow parents to direct a portion of government support allocated for their children's education to a private school than it is to provide taxpayer-funded public schools in the first place. Remember, Barry, that it was so-called "progressives" who sought to require attendance at public schools in states such as Oregon in the 1920s before the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the right of parents to direct their children's education. Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510 (1925).

Friday February 6, 2009

Don't Force Christian High Schools to Change Curriculum

Barry, there's another troubling development in the education world - this one is not about stimulus funds for higher education facilities - this centers on high school curriculum and focuses directly on what's being taught in many Christian high schools across the country.   We just filed an amicus brief in Association of Christian Schools International v. Stearns, a case pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that will likely have a wide-ranging impact on Christian high schools nationwide.

Advertisement

Search This Blog

feed icon Subscribe

RSS Feed

Receive updates from Lynn v. Sekulow

About Lynn v. Sekulow

Lynn v. Sekulow is an ongoing debate blog--a blogalogue--about how big (or little) a role faith and religion should play in American politics and government, featuring the two leading voices of the church/state battle: American Center for Law & Justice Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow and Americans United for Separation of Church and State Executive Director Rev. Barry W. Lynn.

Please note that in discussing political issues, candidates’ positions and political party statements, the Rev. Barry Lynn and Jay Sekulow are offering analysis in their individual capacities as lawyers and commentators. They are not speaking on behalf of Americans United for Separation for Church and State or for the American Center for Law & Justice. Those organizations do not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Nothing contained in this dialogue should be construed as the positions of the respective organizations.

About the Authors

Rev. Barry W. Lynn
Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a nonprofit educational organization that defends religious liberty by opposing government interference in religion
» Posts by Rev. Barry W. Lynn
Jay Sekulow
Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), a law firm and educational organization focused on protecting religious freedom, American families, and human life.
» Posts by Jay Sekulow
More »

Advertisement

Advertisement


About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.