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This man was given the scholarship becuase he deserved it, and then because thte state did not like that he happens to be a believer, they took it away.

That is discrimination. How could it not be?

It would be different if this was a private group's scholarship, but it was money from the state of Oregon, a state that serves everybody who lives there, not just people seeking secular vocations. The state has no right to put some people as second class citizens not worthy of funding that would be available to EVERY OTHER VOCATION BUT ONE.

That is discrimination. How could it not be?

May I direct you to the 1st Admendment which states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

So, it could be argued that by providing 'free' funding for this study, that the gov't is indeed establishing a religion; which is contrary to the 1st admendment. Secondly, if the State choses to fund religous schools, you are selectively discriminating against religions who do not require a degree in order to join the clergy; in that you are providing money to say ... Lutherns over Mormons (just an example - no disrespect to either party is intended).

It boils down to 'if you want to become a Mullah, do so on your own dime'. So, whether the religon is Luthern, Methodist, Buddist, Wiccan, Satanic (or any other); if that is your chosen pursuit, the taxpayer should not be expected to foot the bill.

Also, it has been brought up that society as a whole benefits from the educational support of engineers, medical professionals, teachers, ect. However, the only intended benefitiary of a Theology degree is the congregation to which the person belongs. Thus, as only a select group benefits, it would not be unheard of to expect that group to pay the costs.