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It was inevitable for choice to eventually become mandatory.
A recent federal court decision denied the request of parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, to withdraw their children from classrooms during the reading of books featuring LGBTQ characters.
Christian and Muslim parents filed a lawsuit against the school system, arguing that these books compel religious parents to either renounce their faith-based teachings or remove their children from public schools.
This ruling contradicts the First Amendment’s “free exercise” clause, which guarantees the right to practice religion freely, as long as it does not conflict with public morals or a compelling government interest.
Judge Deborah Boardman made an extensive argument in her 60-page decision, asserting that the parents failed to demonstrate how the absence of an opt-out policy would lead to the indoctrination or coercion of their children to change or abandon their religious beliefs.
“Even without an opt-out option,” Boardman ruled, “parents are still able to fulfill their sacred duty of imparting their faith to their children. Although exposure to religiously offensive ideas may hinder the success of their efforts, it does not impose a government-imposed burden on their religious exercise.”
Is that really the case? Public schools have children for the majority of the week, while religious parents have them during evenings, weekends, and holidays. They may only dedicate one or two hours per week to religious worship and education. Based on sheer time alone, who possesses more influence over young minds – parents or public schools? A teacher’s authority combined with peer pressure to conform can undermine a parent’s religious beliefs and those of their children. Why doesn’t this argument work in reverse? Why can’t public schools teach religious values so that secular progressives can gain understanding about them? According to Judge Boardman’s reasoning, children from atheist or different-faith backgrounds should also not expect their beliefs (or their parents’) to be challenged by exposure to teachings from religious texts.
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From controversial topics like sexuality to climate change, the state is aggressively promoting a secular worldview to children, rather than prioritizing subjects that will equip them to compete with advanced countries like China, particularly in critical fields like reading, science, and math.
As a former student of the Montgomery County school system, I am somewhat ashamed of the current direction it has taken. My fellow classmates and I were educated in traditional subjects and received what was considered a quality education. The same cannot be said for the university I attended, which has also succumbed to the trend of “woke” instruction. The cost of education has increased while its quality has declined.
Jessica Konen aims to eliminate “parental secrecy” from schools. (FNC)
Allow me to share a personal anecdote. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Congresswoman Connie Morella, who suggested that I be a commencement speaker at my high school, considering my prominence as an alumnus. I expressed my skepticism, stating that my conservative political views and Christian faith would likely prevent such an invitation. However, she disagreed and promised to recommend me as a speaker. In jest, I added that if I were indeed invited, I would cover her mortgage for a year.
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Some time later, I encountered her again, and she confessed, “You were right. They weren’t interested in having you.”
The suggestion made by Judge Boardman that religious parents can remove their children from public schools should be accepted. Subsequently, these parents should advocate for their tax dollars to follow their children to the private school of their choice.
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