High Court: OK to Deny Aid to Divinity Students

Fox News ^ | 02/25/04 | AP

[Modernman]

Hmmm so we can't use tax money to have someone study Theology, but if they wish to study homosexual and deviant erotica....we have to fund that? Go freaking figure...

A State doesn't have to fund either thing. It can pick and choose which areas to give money to.

[Gelato]

Perhaps the solution is a complete separation of school and state.

[Modernman]

Vouchers for everyone and no government-run schools? Fine with me.

[Hodar]

He was subsequently denied access to it solely on the basis of religion.

While this is true, it is selectively true. For example, a Mormon Bishop is NOT required to have a Divinity degree. Yet, Mormons pay taxes like everyone else. Some Baptist ministers are ordained without a 4 year Divinity degree, as are Catholic Priests. In these cases, we have specialized religous groups who fund their own teachings. This is as it should be.

Would you be upset if you had your taxdollars funding students interested in becoming a Mullah or Buddist monk? If I wanted to become a Satanic High Priest, would it be fair for me to expect you (the US Taxpayer) to fund my job? How about a Voodoo High Priest?

Unlike a degree in Art, Engineering, Math, Biology, Medical, Law, Humanities; a degree in Divinity serves only to benefit a select group of people.

[MEGoody]

So 'separation of church and state' trumps equal treatment under the law. Gotcha.

[Gelato]

Vouchers for everyone and no government-run schools? Fine with me.

Ditto.

It would be better than funding the government's discrimination in favor of one type of learning against others.

[MEGoody]

"If people should have their taxdollars used to fund the education of clergy for Christians, then the same amount of funds should be made available for Muslum, Buddist, Wiccan, Satanic and any other religous schools across the board."

I have no problem with this. If aid is offered for one type of degree, it should be offered for any type of degree. Why a degree from a divinity school is singled out is beyond me.

[twigs]

I think that's probably really the point. I don't like this decision, but I NEVER want the Islamicists to get a penny of taxpayer money. (Although I suspect it's probably too late for that.)

[MEGoody]

"Preposterous! He can worship as freely as he desires - he just can't insist the government pick up the tab."

The 'tab' is for schooling. If the government provides aid for one type of degree, it should provide aid for all types of degrees.

Personally, I'd prefer not to fund degrees for 'Women's Studies' or any similar clap trap, but I don't get a choice. So I fail to understand why a divinity degree would be singled out.

[per loin]

Nor am I a "generic".

[Modernman]

It would be better than funding the government's discrimination in favor of one type of learning against others.

I don't think vouchers would work for higher education, as is the case here.

[MEGoody]

"to fund my job?"

Who is talking about funding jobs? We are talking about providing equal aid to students attending any accredited school.

[Gelato]

The 'tab' is for schooling. If the government provides aid for one type of degree, it should provide aid for all types of degrees.

I'm in complete agreement.

[shhrubbery!]

George Bush needs to be re-elected. And a greater Republican majority in Congress must be elected.

After that, Rehnquist needs to retire.

After that, all the justices who don't retire need to be impeached -- except for Scalia and Thomas.

I don't see any other way out of this mess.

[Modernman]

Why a degree from a divinity school is singled out is beyond me.

Because the money would be used to train a clergyman who would only serve one, distinct congregation. Therefore, taxpayers who are not part of that congregation are forced to have their money used to help that congregation.

[Hodar]

Why a degree from a divinity school is singled out is beyond me.

An Art Degree, a BS in Engineering degree, or most any other degree is a common platform that all practicing professionals need. If I want to teach History, chances are I'll need a degree in History.

That said, if I want to be a Luthern (or other random group) Minister, I'll need my Divinity degree. However, if I want to be a Catholic Priest, I have an entirely different route. If I want to become a Mormon Bishop (or similar function) there is no requirement to attend a Divinity School. Yet, these people pay taxes; but by the very definition of their religion, are denied the benefits that their taxes go to.

A Buddist Monk does not go to a Divinity School, but rather choses a way of life. So, by granting taxpayer scholarships carte blanc to Divinity School students, you are showing preferential treatment to those religions that have such schools.

The Supreme Court ruling, as I understand it, deferred to the State the ability to differentiate who does, and who will not receive scholarship tuition funding. This is as it should be, in my opinion.

[TheDon]

Now if we can only get them to disallow the remaining taxpayer funded student aid!

[Hodar]

Because the money would be used to train a clergyman who would only serve one, distinct congregation. Therefore, taxpayers who are not part of that congregation are forced to have their money used to help that congregation

I need to take lessons on getting to the point from you. I said the same thing in about 10 paragraphs.... Just call me "Mr. Verbose"

[shhrubbery!]

If the SCOTUS forced the state to provide the money, then all sorts of wierdos (Wiccans, Christian Scientists) and even potential enemies (radical Muslims) could be demanding state money to be "trained" at their "institutions of higher learning."

Our taxpayer money is already being used to support the 'education' of Wiccans, Satanists etc.

Just take a look at 'Women's Studies' faculty and course offerings a major universities, and you will find an abundance of evidence.

[george wythe]

On the bright side, it keeps us from having to fund training for mullahs

Glad you found the silver lining.

It seems that a theological student who majored in classical languages, such as Latin and Greek, will be accepted for the scholarship. He could then go on to seminary.

In other words, a student should be careful when declaring a major. He could take the same courses under the umbrella of religious history major or classical language major, but not under the theology major label.