#religious schools

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Yeshiva boys, East Houston St., 1940s.

Photo: Morris Huberland via the Jewish Museum

[link-of-asgard]

Finding a new placement is extremely stressful.

Since my bullshit firing on wednesday I've contacted 25 schools. 1 has turned me down, 3 the message failed to send, and the other 21 haven't responded yet.

I'm pretty sure I've contacted all the ones I can even get to on my cities shitty public transport, surely one has to say yes before my deadline right? I really can't afford to drop out and repay my loan.

[chaserofstarsandtheabyss]

Vat7k Characters as things my sophomore Theology teacher said:

Varian: What’s next? It’s like fulminating rebellion!

Hugo: It says 40, but who really believes that? I don’t believe anything I read.  What? Speeding suggestions? Is that even a 4?

Yong: She knocked out his two front teeth. Cool, that’s what I would say.

Nuru: You look like criminals, all of you. 

Donella: I’m not going to say you’re young and stupid, I’m not. 

Ulla: Give me some of the gossip. Find out your weak spots. Use it against you. 

[sarcasticcynic]

Montana Supreme Court: Tax credit that benefited religious schools is unconstitutional

Montana's high court on Wednesday struck down the state's tax credit for school scholarships because it primarily benefited religious schools, running afoul of Montana's Constitution.

The Montana Constitution, Art. X, section 6(1), provides:

“The legislature, counties, cities, towns, school districts, and public corporations shall not make any direct or indirect appropriation or payment from any public fund or monies ... to aid any church, school, academy, seminary, college, university, or other literary or scientific institution, controlled in whole or in part by any church, sect, or denomination.”

In 2015, the Montana Legislature enacted a “Tax Credit for Qualified Education Contributions” law, which allows donors who contribute to scholarship funds for students to reduce their state taxes for every dollar donated. The law expressly provides: “The tax credit for taxpayer donations under this part must be administered in compliance with ... Article X, section 6, of the Montana constitution.” So the Montana Department of Revenue excluded religious schools from the program.

That went over just as well with those religious schools as you’d imagine, since they’d expected to be the primary beneficiaries of the legislation:

“90 percent of the private schools that signed up for scholarship funds under the program were religious, meaning the Legislature’s tax credit program almost exclusively benefited religious schools.”

The parents of students at private religious schools filed suit, arguing that Montana was unlawfully discriminating against them on the basis of religion. They contended that Art. X, § 6(1) shouldn’t apply, because the schools were getting money from private donors and not directly from the government.

Nice try.

The Montana Supreme Court rejected their argument, because the Montana Constitution forbids “direct or indirect” payments to religious schools. Letting private donors keep money that they would otherwise owe to the state, as long as they donate that money to a religious school, is a textbook example of the state making an “indirect” payment to the school:

“Here, the taxpayer ‘donates’ nothing, because for every dollar the taxpayer diverts to the [school], the taxpayer receives one dollar in consideration from the State in the form of a lower tax bill.”

The Court also rejected the similar semantic argument that the program benefits weren’t really going to the religious schools, but to the students and families receiving the scholarships. Again, nice try, but the money from the scholarships still ultimately goes to the schools. As the ACLU put it:

“Montana’s students and parents have the right to choose a religious education, but it is unconstitutional for taxpayers to foot the bill for private, religious schools.”

[sarcasticcynic]

Betsy DeVos defends use of public dollars for religious schools

In a speech in New York, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos doubled down on her belief parents should be free to use tax dollars to send her children to religious schools, a point she underscored by visiting two New York City schools, neither of which was a public school.

Betsy DeVos has long been a proponent of using using public tax dollars to fund private religious schools. Way back in 2001, she declared:

“There are not enough philanthropic dollars in America to fund what is currently the need in education ... [versus] what is currently being spent every year on education in this country ... Our desire is to confront the culture in ways that will continue to advance God’s Kingdom.”

Last month DeVos went to New York City; while there, in her capacity as Secretary of Education, she visited two religious schools and zero public schools. She also gave a nice speech to a Catholic fund-raising organization, in which she had this to say about constitutional separation of church and state:

“Pope Pius the 11th wrote that ‘any monopoly’ that ‘forces families to make use of government schools, contrary to the dictates of their Christian conscience, or contrary even to their legitimate preferences’ is fundamentally ‘unjust.’ Our country has an ugly history of unjust laws that force families to violate their consciences or that disrespect their preferences. In the late 1800s, anti-Catholics ... maneuvered to enact the amendment in state constitutions throughout the country. These Blaine provisions prohibit taxpayer funding of ‘sectarian’ – a euphemism at that time for ‘Catholic’ – activities, even when they serve the public good. Activities like addiction recovery, hospice care, or -- the amendments’ primary target -- parochial education. These amendments are still on the books in 37 states. They were bigoted then, and they still are today. ... These amendments should be assigned to the ash heap of history and this ‘last acceptable prejudice’ should be stamped out once and for all.

...

“Right now, we have a president and a Congress led by folks who support giving parents more freedom. This is our moment. ... Some states will need more prayers and more action than others to bring about needed changes. ... I recognize the cross to bear for families in states like this one is heavy. I can’t help but think of the Gospel story in which Jesus revealed Himself to be the Bread of Life. Saint John reports some disciples found it too hard to accept. They left Jesus at the table and returned to their former lives. Will we walk away, like those disciples did, because what we must do is too hard? No. We cannot leave the table and we cannot leave another generation of students unprepared. I believe we are called to stay as Saint Peter did. To ask, as he did, ‘to whom shall we go?’ I want you to know that I stand with you to answer that call… one I truly believe will change the course of our country.”

DeVos uses religious rhetoric to argue that government funding only for secular public schools somehow “forces families” to attend those public schools and completely deprives them of the choice to attend private religious schools. (Which, of course, it does not; they just have to pay for it like everyone else.) From there, DeVos contends that the constitutional separation between church and state is really just “prejudice” against religion, and therefore that it should be “assigned to the ash heap of history.”

Funny how these very same folks don’t seem to feel as strongly that lack of government funding is the same thing as a complete lack of options in the context of, say, health care, retirement, housing, food, water...

[qnewsau]

Religious exemptions unnecessary & harmful say NT teachers

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/religious-exemptions-unnecessary-harmful-say-nt-teachers/

Religious exemptions unnecessary & harmful say NT teachers

The Northern Territory union representing teachers say that the reinstatement of religious discrimination exemptions is unnecessary, divisive, and harmful.

Northern Territory Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby introduced an Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill to Parliament yesterday.

The Bill reinstates an exception for religious schools to hire based on faith and removes the word ‘offence’ from vilification protections.

In 2023, the Northern Territory’s Anti-Discrimination Act was brought in line with community expectations.

With the introduction of this Bill, the Country Liberal Party Government is attempting to “repeal vital protections against hate speech.” Equality Australia say.

“Reinstating an exemption that permits discrimination in religious education.”

The Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) represent teachers and support staff in Northern Territory non-government schools.

They say the reinstatement of religious discrimination exemptions is unnecessary, divisive and harmful.

As faith-based schools have been more than capable of functioning in the absence of these exemptions.

“Indeed, they have done so quite adequately under the legislation which has been in place for the last three years,” IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said.

“Reinstatement of religious discrimination exemptions in the NT does not reflect modern community values and expectations.”

“Especially given that many faith-based organisations receive public funds.

“Employers still have the opportunity at the point of engagement to determine if an employee is suitable for the position advertised.

“That has always been the case.

“The NT government should be looking to build a better and fairer future for Territorians, not take them backwards.”

Source: Facebook

Discrimination against faith?

Attorney-General Marie Clare Boothby spoke with ABC Radio Darwin’s Adam Steer, saying this Bill will clarify the ability for faith-based schools to prioritise staff who uphold their religious values.

“Many Territorian families choose to send their kids to a school of a religious faith,” she said

“And they want to know that the teachings of that school are of that same faith.”

“The changes will ensure that schools will be able to employ people who have the same faith based on their doctrine without the worry of civil proceedings against them.”

When it was highlighted that this Bill could allow schools to discriminate based on faith and sexuality, Boothby said that the new provision is about conduct instead of attributes.

“It used to say you could discriminate because of sexuality, but we have not reincerted that line,” she said.

“Schools can employ people despite their sexuality, which is their choice to make.”

“What the provision does is allow for schools to be able to employ people based on faith.

“Otherwise, it is discrimination against faith.”

Steer said he spoke to the Catholic Bishop of the Northern Territory, asking for examples of situations where this had occurred under the 2023 Anti-Discrimination Act.

He could not provide any.

Steer put that same question to Boothby.

“There are not any cases before the courts,” she said, “But we want to ensure that never happens.”

Stating the fear of litigation is a cloud that hangs over schools.

Australian Association of Christian Schools chief executive Vanessa Cheng welcomed the reforms.

“We applaud the CLP government for taking this important step to fulfil their election commitment and restore fundamental human freedoms,” she said.

Source: Facebook

No evidence that a new model is needed.

“The previous Act was the result of decades of work by everyday Territorians,” said Sally Sievers, CEO Northern Territory Council of Social Service.

“The process to get to these proposed changes has been opaque, confusing and not a genuine consultation.” 

“The existing model of vilification sets a very high bar and has not been used frivolously.

“There’s no evidence to indicate the need for a new model,

“Nor that the proposed ‘incite hatred’ model will be effective in addressing the vilification experienced by people in our community.

“These changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act will leave Territorians less safe.

“We need to protect what we’ve built together.”

Equality Australia has highlighted that the Bill opens the door to discrimination.

“Imposing a single view of religious doctrines on all staff,”

“Even cleaners or receptionists who have no role in religious teaching,

“Opens the door to discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. “ Equality Australia Legal Director Heather Corkhill said.

“And silences those who support them in our school communities.

“We know from experiences in other states that the incitement-based legal test is completely ineffective against even some of the worst kinds of hate speech.”

“At a time when hate is increasing around the country, including the mobilisation of far-right groups like neo-Nazis,”

“We should be strengthening protections and not weakening them.

“It’s a profound relief that under this legislation, religious schools cannot discriminate on the grounds of sexuality or gender identity,

“Only on the basis of a person’s religious belief or activity.

Teachers and other workers should not face unfair discrimination in religious schools because of who they are or who they love.

  View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Equality Australia (@equalityaustralia)

CLP’s legislation takes us backwards.

Assistant Secretary for the Australian Services Union (ASU) SA + NT, Ella Waters, said the current law reflects years of effort.

“Territory workers deserve strong protections,” Ella said.

“But the CLP’s legislation takes us backwards, weakening vital safeguards and leaving workers exposed to hate speech and discrimination.”

“Instead of building on reforms that made the Territory a leader in fairness, these changes risk undoing hard‑won progress

“And would leave workers more vulnerable in their workplaces.

“Our current laws reflect years of effort to create safer and more respectful workplaces and communities.

“We will continue to stand with our members to protect fairness and respect,

“And to ensure Territorians are protected from hate speech and discrimination.”

Last year, the Australian Law Reform Commission delivered a major inquiry to the Federal Government on religious schools’ blanket legal exemptions to discriminate.

The report recommended scrapping laws which currently and inexplicably allow religious schools to discriminate against staff and students on the basis of their sexuality, gender identity, marital or relationship status, or pregnancy.

The report also said those schools should be able to preference employment of people who share the same religion, but where “reasonably necessary and proportionate”.

Equality Australia have launched a petition calling on the Northern Territory Government to conduct a proper and comprehensive consultation process before rolling back current protections.

Ensuring that all voices, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalised groups, are heard and considered.

You can find out more about the petition here.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[gwydionmisha]

Supreme Court seems poised to require state-funded charter schools to include religious schools

The case is from Oklahoma, which like 45 other states, has laws that say charter schools must be public schools funded by the state, closely

What happened to separation of Church and State?