Lynne Stevens
There are some misconceptions over freedom of religion in this country. Interestingly, some feel Christians are under attack.
Our Constitution’s First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion ...”
Why did our founding fathers put this into the Constitution? In part, it was the religion of England and its mandates that those who headed to the new colonies rejected. At the time, our country was wilderness; the King of England ruled the roost as an authoritarian; and citizens were expected to fall in line to his edicts – many of which were unpopular.
Protestants and Catholics at the time were convinced that there must be religious conformity to ensure a proper society (Library of Congress). Persecution of those who did not believe in the prevailing version of Christianity were ostracized from conforming communities or imprisoned, so they left and many came here.
Past and current civilizations have been torn apart by religious conflicts. A sufficient number of taxpayers have a problem with subsidizing private and religious schools with state/federal tax dollars. Those who don’t support this transfer feel public schools should teach school subjects – not religion – and as many feel social issues for the most part be left to parents.
There are many resources outside the public school setting to educate children in family religious customs. Churches can bus students to enrichment programs after school. They are free to educate and assist students academically and spiritually. Satellite TV offers Christian stations for adults and kids around the clock. For those who seek Christian teachings, it is certainly not hard to find.
The constant barrage and repetition of “Christianity is under attack” rings hollow and is not supported in reality. As long as no religion uses government to force religious doctrine on the public, this country will continue to be free of religious oppression.
The state legislature’s appetite for vouchers for the wealthy would cost untold millions when other religious sects like Muslims, Greek Orthodox, Jews, black churches and many others decide to cash in on the generosity of North Carolina taxpayers to help pay for their schools.
That is Robbinsville too: scheduled to lose tax dollars this school year as voucher dollars increase. This is where the Constitutional separation of church and state should step in and stop public money from supporting any private/religious schools, as Supreme Courts in the past have for the most part done.
This Supreme Court is ignoring the law and Constitution; and the state legislature is ignoring the public. There is strong public support for properly funding poorly-performing public schools, doing away with the necessity of vouchers in all but extreme situations.
Let the public speak. These results are from Pew Research: ⅔ of U.S. adults say churches should stay out of politics; 54 percent say separation of church and state should be enforced; and interestingly, 63 percent say our country should have a shared set of non-denominational values.
This idea is worth growing.
Raleigh, take your earplugs out and listen to us.
Lynne Stevens writes a bi-weekly column for The Graham Star. She can be reached via email, geminga@mailfence.com.