Jewish school, church-state case in England
A fascinating story in today’s New York Times about the battle raging in Britain over a government-funded Jewish school’s admission policies.
Long story short: a student rejected from the school because of Orthodox authorities’ definition of “who is a Jew” has sued, and the case, which could have far-reaching implications for a range of religious schools that rely on government money, has moved up to Britain’s top court.
How is this not an advertisement against using government money for parochial schools? Isn’t this confirmation of the claim by opponents that taking taxpayer money gives the government the right to interfere in purely religious matters?
I’m just wondering; tell me if I’m wrong.
Tags: Church-State, Great Britain, Jewish day schools, vouchers
November 12th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
“How is this not an advertisement against using government money for parochial schools? Isn’t this confirmation of the claim by opponents that taking taxpayer money gives the government the right to interfere in purely religious matters?”
Well, yes and no. I think anyone who has foot the bill to send a child to yeshiva in this country, particularly if they pay high property taxes, would gladly trade for a system in which there was a little government interference but funding for day school. Much as I have always been a proponent of the separation between church and state, it’s easy to forget how extreme a position that is when you compare America to the rest of the world. We are the exception, not the rule. In most places, one does not pay an arm and a leg for day school.
In addition, the US also has anti-discrimination laws, and those laws affect religious institutions in many ways.