Public Sunday School
by Kathy Brown on February 2nd, 2010 | 0 comments
Discussing America’s public educational system usually begins with the idea that because of “separation of church and state” there must be a “neutral” worldview presented. Unpacking those assumptions, there are already two fallacies. First, the concept that there should be no state church, such as Catholic, Baptist or Presbyterian, was the original understanding of the phrase. It was written in a letter to President Jefferson, not in the Constitution. Second, there is no “neutral” worldview; each has its own religious connotation. This second principle is a critical one.
Let’s suppose that it would be offensive to practicing Jews to have to support an Islamic education with their tax dollar. Now, let’s consider whether it would make sense to have Christians fund the Unitarian Universalist church. That would not adhere to the test of today’s “separation” understanding, would it?
Here are the tenants of a Unitarian Universalist (faith community established in May 1961):
(1) No one is accountable to anyone but themselves
(2) Personal experience, conscience and reason should be final authorities in religion
(3) Religious authority lies not in a book, person or institution, but in oneself
(4) Humanist belief of each individual is superior to God or any scripture
(5) The theological doctrine avows that all souls will ultimately be saved and that there is no ultimate punishment for wrong
(6) Every person is allowed to do whatever is right in his own eyes as long as it is sincerely done
(7) Humanist teachings are guided by science and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit
The essence of a Unitarian Universalist is secular humanism. (Foundational Presupposition Chart) Indeed, public education adheres to this very churchy worldview. The support of it can be compared to passing the offering plate for a particular brand of Sunday School.
How would a Humanist feel if they were asked to pay for Biblical teaching through taxation, and then, in addition, have to send their own children to private school? That may be the one thing they probably wouldn’t tolerate.
From Psalm 33:12
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”
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