Written by Don Byrd
Voters across the country are electing not only a President, Senators and Representatives, but also deciding important referendum issues. From a religious liberty perspective, none are more important than Amendment 8 in Florida. That provision would remove key safeguards from the state’s constitution, which currently prohibits sending taxpayer funds directly to religious institutions. This “no-aid to religion” measure has served the cause of religion liberty in Florida, like many other states, for more than 100 years.
This proposal may sound on the surface like a good way to provide help to religion and religious causes. In reality, however, removing “no-aid to religion” and allowing state funding would entangle religion and government to the detriment of both. Religious discrimination is virtually assured as the government picks which religious entities to support and which to deny. The religious organizations receiving support would be beholden to the government, and government regulation, rightfully, in a way that limits religious freedom rather than expanding it.
Lastly, the Amendment is a bad idea because it’s merely a school voucher scheme in waiting. If Florida wants a school voucher system, voters should be able to vote on one directly.
Check back in with the blog tonight or follow me on twitter – @bjcblog – for updates on Florida results on this issue.
There are a couple of other interesting tidbits tonight, including the potential election of the first Hindu-American to Congress in Hawaii. If your state is voting on religious liberty issues, drop me a note – through Twitter (@bjcblog) or E-mail (don.byrd – @ – comcast.net)
