Before reading Stephen L. Carter’s “The Separation of the State“, I also harbored the belief that religion should be protected from the state, rather than the state being protected from religion. Carter’s essay makes it even more clear that the First Amendment in the United States Constitution places protection on the freedom of the people to practice any religion without state interference or prohibition. Carter writes about the case of Lemon v. Kurtzman, in which the Supreme Court passed the ruling that reimbursing private, religious schools for tuition and salaries was unconstitutional. This ruling by the Supreme Court, was undoubtedly the right decision. I am sure that most people will agree that only public schools should receive government funding. Students and parents who want their children to gain an education, without religious study, should not have to suffer from lack of aid to their respective school districts.
This case was significant in the idea that other smaller cases, wanting government aid for their religious affiliations, could no longer be passed. It is important to be careful when regarding situations that may involve the interference of the state in religious practices, but Carter believes that many times the government may be too extreme. He writes, “…if the courts continue to read Lemon as they have, the Establishment Clause might well end up not antiestablishment but antireligion.” (Carter, 109) Carter believes that the government, in their attempt to preserve the First Amendment of the Constitution, is promoting antireligion. I cannot completely agree with this Carter belief. I have always felt that people are entitled and obligated to have their own customary set of beliefs. Government interference, negative or positive, will not change a person’s religious identity.
Works Cited
Carter, Stephen L. “The Separation of the State.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. 7th edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006 pp. 102-109
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2 comments:
I also agree with the ruling of Lemon and Kurtzman and think that perhaps Carter is exaggerating a bit in his article. I personally consider private school a fine option but I understand that it would be unfair to have the government fund it.
I agree with you. Yes public school should only receive funding. I also feel that no matter what school it is, it should be free!
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