| WASHINGTON,
D.C. -- Education Secretary Roderick Paige has lost credibility.
Following his deeply troubling comments in Baptist Press proclaiming the
importance of teaching Christian values in public schools, it is evident
that Secretary Paige cannot be an unbiased advocate for all public school
students.
I
am not concerned with Secretary Paige’s personal religious beliefs.
Many of us were raised in religious traditions and with faith-based values
that have led many of us to serve in this body – the desire to help out
those in need, to care for our neighbors, and to be good members of the
global community.
Secretary
Paige’s views, however, are offensive because they reflect on how he will
undertake his Constitutional responsibility: to provide the best educational
opportunities for all students in the United States. Our nation was
built on the idea of separation of church and state. Article I of
our great Constitution requires that there be no established religion.
This was not an afterthought by the founding fathers – it was clearly and
forcefully stated at the very outset. By expressing his preference
for parochial education and criticizing public schools for not teaching
religious values, Secretary Paige violated that founding principle.
Secretary
Paige has forcefully described his preference for schools that have “a
strong appreciation for the values of the Christian community.” He
has described Christian schools and universities as having a “strong value
system” that is “not the case in a public school where there are so many
different kids with different kinds of values.” How then can the
parents of children in public schools – which educate 90 percent of all
children in our country – believe that Secretary Paige’s bias against public
education will not be reflected in his policies? How can they be
assured that he will not direct funds and resources to the parochial schools
to which he would prefer to send his children and away from the public
schools that educate the vast majority of American children?
Clearly,
Secretary Paige is refusing to embrace the diversity reflected in our public
schools. In a nation that is increasingly diverse, equating good
values with Christian values is disrespectful to all non-Christian believers
and to all non-believers. Personal faith must never be allowed to
dictate government policy.
Through
his statements, Secretary Paige has shown that he cannot be relied upon
to fulfill his responsibilities. He should resign voluntarily.
If not, President Bush should demand his resignation. |
