#174 Religious Charter Schools are Coming. Be Worried.
Mar 19, 2024
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Legal expert Rachel Laser and plaintiffs discuss the dangers of tax-funded religious charter schools. They highlight the implications for civil and disability rights and labor protections. Despite challenges, there is hope in the public's resistance to the blending of church and state.
Religious charter schools pose threats to civil rights and labor protections by blurring the separation between church and state.
Legal battles against state-funded religious schools emphasize the importance of defending public education and constitutional principles.
Concerns arise over potential discrimination in state-funded religious schools, underscoring the need to safeguard equality and anti-discrimination laws.
Deep dives
Implications of Vouchers Beyond Red States
The episode delves into the misconception that threats to public education posed by vouchers are limited to conservative-dominated states. By highlighting ways in which threats can seep into purple and blue states, particularly through redefining charter eligibility, the episode warns of the possibility of private religious schools receiving state funding even in states like Massachusetts where voucher bills aren't on the horizon.
Challenges Against a Taxpayer-Funded Religious Charter School
Focused on the legal battle surrounding the approval of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Charter School, the episode showcases the efforts led by advocates like Americans United and ACLU against the school's establishment. Plaintiffs like Melissa Abdo express concerns about public education, state responsibilities, and the negative implications of funding private religious institutions with public money.
Ministerial Exception and Discrimination Concerns
The episode discusses the application of the ministerial exception, allowing religious schools like St. Isidore to potentially discriminate against teachers and employees. Such exemptions from labor protections raise worries about discrimination based on sexual orientation and disabilities, challenging equality and anti-discrimination principles.
Threats to Church-State Separation and Legal Ramifications
Through the lens of church-state separation, the episode addresses broader implications of publicly funded religious schools. It highlights concerns about the erosion of constitutional principles, threats to equality, and the potential transformation towards a white Christian theocracy. The discussion emphasizes the importance of unity in defending this separation as a fundamental aspect of American democracy.
In the Weeds: 14th Amendment and Legal Complexities
Exploring the legal ramifications, the 14th Amendment's role in protecting against discrimination towards students based on religion or sexual orientation is scrutinized. The discussion unfolds on potential challenges arising from state-funded religious schools and issues surrounding charter approval processes. It stresses the need to pay attention to legal reasoning and loopholes that could undermine equality and constitutional protections.
Last year Oklahoma approved the nation’s first tax-payer funded religious charter school. It won’t be the last, warns Rachel Laser of Americans United for Church and State. We’re joined by Laser and two plaintiffs in a legal effort to keep the school from opening. As our guests explain, the school is part of a larger project to roll back the clock on civil rights, disability rights and labor protections. Now for the good news: tearing down the separation between church and state turns out to be really unpopular.
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