North Carolina’s voucher program is sending more than $40 million of taxpayer money to private religious schools. Now, some North Carolina residents are worried about how the program is sending public money to schools that can discriminate against students. Salon reports:
“…upon implementation, critics slowly emerged, and many pin-pointed their concerns to religion and its strong ties to the schools receiving these funds. In 2016, 90% of the voucher money went to enrolling students in faith-based schools that were Christian or Islamic rooted. These religious institutions are solely funded through tuition and annual gift-giving fundraisers. However, what many find concerning is the extent to which these private faith-based institutions can discriminate admittance and use their religion to do so.
Wesleyan Christian Academy, a participating private kindergarten through 12th grade education institution in The Opportunity Scholarship Program, is based in High Point, North Carolina. According to their student handbook, they will not admit families that openly participate in “supporting, or condoning sexual immorality, homosexual orientation, homosexual activity, or bisexual activity; promoting such practices; or being unable to support the moral principles of the school.” They cite Romans 1:18-32 to back up their decision. Wesleyan Christian Academy also affirms that “Every student is expected to attend all chapel services,” which are determined at the start of each year and held on a weekly basis.”
Public money should never be used to pay for religious instruction or fund discrimination. Unfortunately, in the name of promoting “school choice” voucher programs use taxpayer money to do exactly that.
