by Fred Jackson
The contentious “separation of church and state” issue continues to take center stage in various debates on the American education front.
In one example, a pro-family law group is defending its battle to have a Bible course taught in Miami-area schools. The American Civil Liberties Union is fighting the idea, saying it does not want Bible accounts such as the burning bush and the resurrection taught as historical fact.
But Steve Crampton, chief counsel for the American Family Association's Center for Law & Policy, says the ACLU's charge is unfounded.
“That is not how it is taught here. The mere exposure to the story of the burning bush or the resurrection or the miracles is part and parcel with teaching any book,” Cramption said. “Again, to extract those essential portions of the Scriptures, would in fact amount to censorship. You just don't have a story that hangs together you've got to include those essential portions like the burning bush.”
Crampton made his comments last week in an interview with CNN.
Upcoming SCOTUS Ruling
Meanwhile, supporters and opponents alike have been anxiously awaiting a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of school vouchers. At issue is a lower court's decision that a program in Cleveland, Ohio, violates the separation of church and state because parents can use the vouchers to send their children to religious as well as secular schools.
Dr. Richard Land, who heads the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, told delegates to his denomination's recent annual meeting that the Supreme Court should overturn the decision. He said parents rather than government officials decide where the vouchers are spent.
“When the money is given to a parent, that's not aid to a religious school and I trust parents to make the best choices for their children,” Land said. “I think that's rank discrimination against religion on the part of the federal court; and I believe the Supreme Court is going to agree with us. I certainly prayerfully hope so.”
Ann Briscoe, a Roman Catholic businesswoman who met with President Bush earlier this month, told White House reporters she also favors vouchers. But opponents say school vouchers unconstitutionally divert tax dollars that should be used to improve failing schools.
(This article courtesy of Agape Press.)