(RightIsRight.co) – In a major decision that now guarantees taxpayer funds can be used for educating the children of parents who choose to send their kids to faith-based schools, the United States Supreme Court ruled today in a 6-3 decision that states cannot prevent school choice families from taking their children’s taxpayer-funded education dollars to religious private schools. The Court ruled that to do so violates the Free Exercise Clause of the 1st Amendment.
The American Federation for Children immediately issued a statement celebrating the decision by the Court.
“On Tuesday, 20 years after 2002’s pivotal Zelman decision, the United States Supreme Court handed down an exciting ruling for families across the United States. In the Carson v. Makin case, the Court has further clarified its ruling in Espinoza, which had established that states may not exclude school options based on their religious status.
“In Carson, families sued when their options were limited based on religious use. In other words, lower courts had ruled that participating schools could be religious in name only – and families could not have the option if they did religious things.
“Now, the Court has ruled 6-3 that this barrier is unconstitutional. The ruling says, “A neutral benefit program in which public funds flow to religious organizations through the independent choices of private benefit recipients does not offend the Establishment Clause.”
And the CEO of the American Federation for Children wrote:
“This is a thunderclap for education freedom. Parents across America can celebrate today as the Court has affirmed their fundamental right to choose an education that works for their family. With today’s ruling, the rights of American students have been resoundingly confirmed. Now, legislators in every state must take action to provide as many options as possible to families in their state. AFC stands ready to support this goal.”
Meanwhile, as one of the dissenters, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her opinion: “This Court continues to dismantle the wall of separation between church and state that the Framers fought to build.”
Chief Justice Roberts (Carson v Makin, 2022): "Maine’s 'nonsectarian' requirement for its otherwise generally available tuition assistance payments violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment." pic.twitter.com/mlrJRSZV8s
— Corey A. DeAngelis (@DeAngelisCorey) June 21, 2022
What is your opinion about the United States Supreme Court ruling today that states cannot prevent school choice families from taking their children’s taxpayer-funded education dollars to religious private schools? Do you agree or disagree with the decision? Please share your thoughts by emailing [email protected]. Thank you.
