Government-run schools and religious liberty

To put it bluntly, the State of Colorado is rapidly becoming the new California. Once a bastion of liberty it has become just another Tranzi nightmare of a State – and is well on its way to being a failed State.

While we will write about why TPOL bashes Colorado so much in a later commentary, let us look at one very specific area. (And point out that Colorado is not alone in this antipathy towards liberty and any “unworthy” religion (in their eyes).)

Ari Armstrong recently wrote about the trials of the John Adams Academy: ‘Amber Carlson worries about John Adams Academy, a proposed charter school in Douglas County, “The school network’s founders come from Christian backgrounds, and there are themes within the school’s literature that are suggestive of religious ideas and values.” But we live in an overwhelmingly Christian country in terms of people’s religious beliefs, so of course much of the leadership of any institution is likely to be Christian. And most literature generally is infused with “religious ideas and values.”‘

The political leadership of the State of Colorado, and of Douglas County – and the educracy – seem very sympathetic and supportive of Ms. Carlson. And no wonder.

We are far from the first to point out that for a truly free people, schools and the state are not compatible. Part of the reason is that state schools do not accept nor truly support the idea of religious liberty. At least any religion except the worship of the omnipotent state. What goes on in Colorado is an example of that.

Looking back with 20-20 hindsight, we see that promoting the necessity and acceptance of the power of governments as a primary purpose for “public schools” – government-run, tax-funded institutions. To promote servitude to the state: to governments. Part of that is brainwashing even (and especially) children to see government as the primary (if not only) provider of all good things.

We are reminded of the old story about school teachers in Communist countries. To show her students, children of 5, 6, or 7, the futility of faith in God and the advantages of faith in the People’s government, she asks all the children to close their eyes and pray out loud to God to give them candy. After the prayers are ended, she tells the children to open their eyes. They are, of course, disappointed because there is no candy. So she then tells them to again close their eyes and ask Beloved Leader and their government for candy. As they ask out loud, she quickly puts a piece of candy on each desk. Telling them to open hours

Which brings us back to Colorado. A bill wending its way through the General Assembly (under the Gold Dome in Denver) would provide “free lunches” to ALL PK-12 students at public schools in the State. Regardless of family income or actual need. (As reported by Ari Armstrong, a Rationalist disciple and columnist in Colorado.) All you have to do is bow down and obey the state in all things, and you will be blessed with everything (they think) you need.

In other States, there are already court battles underway about prohibitions on denial of state funding for students of private, religious schools. And also for the bizarre inside-out interpretation of the US Constitution’s First Amendment. But Colorado seems to be at the forefront of that effort to again force the state down the throats (and into the minds) of even the children.

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