cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/50187606
The threat arrives in plain language. “Failure to comply could jeopardize eligibility for state educational scholarship programs,” Uthmeier wrote, aiming at the funding stream that carried roughly 88 percent of Florida’s more than 94,000 Catholic school students last year. He gave the bishops until August 7 to respond — ten days before most Florida schools open for the new year.
Within hours, the attorney general announced the letter on X. “Ironically, they won’t offer religious exemptions as prescribed by state law,” he wrote. “This is troubling and may disqualify them from state scholarships and vouchers.”
25 Comments
RotatingParts@lemmy.ml · 21 pts · 44d
Religious schools shouldn't even be getting our tax dollars. Defund them all.
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 44d
You don't understand how the program they are talking about works. Its aim is to help low income families have the same opportunities/options as high income families. This is a strike at class equity. Regardless of if you hate religion, giving a poor kid a chance to network into well to do circles should be a good thing. Any private school, regardless of it being religious or secular can be eligible. This is the state government trying to force a religious institution to adopt their political stance. Then the poor are punished if they don't. The Catholics don't want to play ball.
fluffykittycat@slrpnk.net · 5 pts · 44d
We can't let churches control vital infrastructure
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 44d
That's not what this is at all
fluffykittycat@slrpnk.net · 3 pts · 43d
I don't want churches controlling schools I pay for
Archimedes@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 43d
Just the state
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 43d
So don't send your kids to a religious school? This is a tiny percentage given to low income families to make the choice on where to send their kids. Secular or religious the aim is just to give poor kids the same shot as rich kids.
Kangae_Hishiryo@scribe.disroot.org · 2 pts · 44d
Although I think religious exemptions should be widely prohibited
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 44d
What do you mean?
Kangae_Hishiryo@scribe.disroot.org · 4 pts · 44d
Like, religious schools are still receiving an special benefit just because they're religious, which is unfair. I also think that the more general defunding is bad, but school or not, you shouldn't receive any special treatment just because of your religious nature.
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 44d
Any private school is eligible regardless of if they are religious or not. Bunch of secular private schools are in the pool of scholarship eligibility. This isn't a benefit for the schools/religous as much as its supposed to be a benefit for low income families.
Kangae_Hishiryo@scribe.disroot.org · 2 pts · 44d
Yeah, I was not discussing that, I'm with you on that. What I'm talking is about the broader concept and appliance of religious exemptions (you do not pay the same amount of taxes [but a minor amount], or you do not pay taxes at all, because you are religious).
Because, if I understood well, that's also being defunded, and I'm in favor of that, even while I'm not favorable to the idea of defunding them in general, because they still make a valuable social labor.
Sorry if I'm explaining myself bad.
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 44d
Oh, I mean yeah I guess idk. I have strong thoughts about tithing and how those funds should be treated internally and externally. Not really the place for that conversation though.
DisasterTransport@startrek.website · 1 pts · 43d
Honest question, where does the money for voucher programs come from?
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 43d
Direct public funding through nonprofits raising money, state taxes and tax credits are given to businesses/individuals who donate to the pool of money. Mostly state taxes in a state without income tax.
kbobabob@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 44d
I'm still trying to figure out if that is what this is. They keep talking scholarships.
Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 44d
It's a social program that gives priority to low income and foster kids. They are able to apply for tuition assistance to any non public approved school. This would essentially just pull catholic schools out of that pool.
switcheroo@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 44d
Good. Religious schools shouldn't be funded by the government in the first place, fucking MAGAt morons...
EmilieEasie@fedinsfw.app · 6 pts · 44d
Perfect, eat each other.
Lushed_Lungfish@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 43d
Question: why do religious schools even exist?
Leather@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 43d
To make tax free money.
Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 42d
Well the church gets indoctrination and more chances of future tithes. The parents/students (often) get better educational and college choice outcomes vs the schools in the area. I have noticed the religious schools tend to be in areas where the local district is ranked lower in the state. (Which only hurts those schools more by taking the funding share with those students)
newthrowaway20@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 43d
The schadenfreude is delicious.
Doomsider@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 44d
So much for religious freedom!
Corvidae@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 44d
Turn those schools into disease and smallpox parties?