Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, in an opinion written by Judge (and famed law-and-religion scholar) Michael McConnell, issued its opinion in a case called Colorado Christian University v. Weaver. (Click here for more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/07/24/ccu.)
In a nutshell, the decision and opinion are fantastic. The court held that the Constitution does not permit Colorado to discriminate against “pervasively sectarian” religiously-affiliated schools by excluding otherwise-eligible students who attend such schools from state scholarship programs. Along the way, the court read very narrowly the Supreme Court’s decision, a few years ago, in Locke v. Davey, which some have interpreted to allow governments to exclude religious schools from education-reform and -funding programs. That decision, Judge McConnell wrote, “does not extend to the wholesale exclusion of religious institutions and their students from otherwise neutral and generally available public support.”
There’s a lot going on in the case, but the bottom line is: Excellent. I encourage everyone interested in education reform, church-state matters, and religious freedom generally to check it out. (Link: http://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/opinions/07/07-1247.pdf)
While I have you, can I ask you something? I’ll be quick.
Twenty-five thousand people subscribe to First Things. Why can’t that be fifty thousand? Three million people read First Things online like you are right now. Why can’t that be four million?
Let’s stop saying “can’t.” Because it can. And your year-end gift of just $50, $100, or even $250 or more will make it possible.
How much would you give to introduce just one new person to First Things? What about ten people, or even a hundred? That’s the power of your charitable support.
Make your year-end gift now using this secure link or the button below.
