[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]

"to fund my job?"

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

[AmishDude]

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?

Guess what? You're already paying for worse, if you check the local University's course listings.

[CMAC51]

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

That's a rather hollow defense in light of the fact that he used his Degree in Theology (not Divinity) to enter law school.

I have no objections to my tax dollars being used to fund any education, Islamic or otherwise, which adds to the moral strength and character of our society. I do object to my tax dollars being used on education which promotes immorality, depravity or anything else which rends and the fabric of our society. By those standards there is a large portion of liberal arts students who I object to any of my tax dollars supporting.

[rwfromkansas]

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.