Americans United for the Separation of Church and State is reporting that House Speaker John Boehner will hold a vote on resurrecting the DC school vouchers program Wednesday. Baptist Joint Committee Counsel K. Hollyn Hollman wrote specifically about the DC voucher issue recently, reminding why the BJC has long opposed school voucher schemes generally.
While we affirm the right of parents to choose a religious education for their children, we oppose using public funds to support religion. Religious teachings should be funded by voluntary contributions, not through compulsory taxation. Voucher programs that provide tuition to religious schools violate the freedom of conscience of taxpayers who have the right to insist that the government remain neutral in matters of religion. In addition, government funding of religious education tends to jeopardize the autonomy of religious schools, bringing regulations or political pressures that threaten the schools’ religious character.
Follow this blog for updates on any action the House takes on HR 471, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act.
