Public vouchers funding religious schools | FFRF's Ask An Atheist

This week on FFRF’s Ask An Atheist, we discuss the rising trend of school voucher systems in the United States and how a vast majority of them are being used to fund private religious schools - a clear violation of church/state separation. We also talk to Jess Piper, executive director of “Blue Missouri” and an advocate for public schools, about her perspective on the topic.
You can visit Jess' website at bluemissouri.org/
Learn more about the Freedom From Religion Foundation at ffrf.org.

[@neilforbes416]

Public schools should get *100%* of *ALL EDUCATION FUNDING!* Private and religious schools *SHOULD NOT GET EVEN ONE CENT!*

[@Spock_Rogers]

If you want your children to go to private school, pay for it yourself.

[@neilforbes416]

@@Spock_Rogers Well, that's the idea, and it's that way here in Australia, but sadly, Labor or Liberal, whichever party is in office, the private schools still get way more than they should from the government's education fund and public schools still struggle to get by on the meagre funding they get. So on top of hefty school fees the private schools still get a hefty sum from the government! Private schools teach their students that they're *better than everyone else* and that *their shit doesn't stink!*

[@rhondaguerrero2869]

I am in the Bible Belt and it is really pissing me off- I do not want my kids taught any religion.

[@cassfonnesbeck8057]

Thanks for having Jess Piper on your show. She is sensible and knowledgeable.

[@kimberlyaustin7030]

I grew up in a very rural area. High school was 30 miles away. So had to get on the bus early. Private was not an option at all, I don't even know if there was private schools. I am so grateful to have gone to public school. It wasn't always great but the diversity was needed.

[@susan4dfun]

It is so refreshing to hear people talking about this! As a Florida educator in special education, I have been trying to explain this for over 20 years.

[@weston.weston]

I enjoy the FFRF show each week!
I appreciate this guest very much, I appreciate her zeal.
I am a progressive who grew up in a very rural area and am a product of public schools. #publicschoolsadvocacy

[@anisafaruqi9330]

Goddess bless Public Education ❤🎉

[@Spock_Rogers]

Thank you for your work! This is such an important issue. Here in Florida there is a Florida Faith Based Initiative, which I can't seem to find the budget for. If you look them up, you will see a whole roster of charlatans. I personally oppose giving taxpayer money to divisive religious organizations.

[@rickbishop5987]

I have been concerned about this for some time. Thank you.

[@stevenbrown6277]

I am so glad I went to a really good public school in Minnesota. I have two very religious friends who sent their two children to a Minnesota public school rather than a religious school. Both children became MDs.

[@m2000lbs]

So True

[@jamievincent5260]

If they take government money they need to pay taxes

[@beeu9841]

Indeed 💯 🚀

[@Kaputnik11]

Schools are designed to teach children. Religious or not a private schools have to meet certain standards for education, and since they do and a student who graduates from a religious will be considered qualified to enter the greater world I don't see how there is an issue here giving vouchers. Parents are allowed to decide what schools their kids go to, and as long as the vouchers are available to all qualified private schools how could this be considered a support for religion?

[@Spock_Rogers]

Religion is divisive. Religious indoctrination is not education. These private schools are not up to standards and are not regulated as they should be. They are siphoning public money into private pockets. They are taking away greatly from the quality of our once great public schools.

[@Spock_Rogers]

In order to get into a private school, a child has to have concerned and involved parents. This further punishes children with crappy or overwhelmed parents.

[@Spock_Rogers]

Did you even watch the video?

[@cassfonnesbeck8057]

@Spock_Rogers he's a troll, don't engage.

[@Kaputnik11]

@@Spock_Rogers Maybe vouchers should be allowed and maybe they shouldn't. But if vouchers are declined on the basis of religion then I have an issue there. Either everyone gets them or no one does. Seems fair. Yes I watched the video. People you disagree with you can watch the video too.