Christian Faculty in Minnesota are complaining about double enrollment statements on the prohibition of faith

Two minnesotes Christian faculties cause a state After being modified for decades, to exclude them to participate in the state program of double enrollment, because they require students to sign statements of religion.

Since 1985, Minnesota Enrollment Program They enabled thousands of high school students, wanting to attend private and public colleges, to enroll in the program and at the same time receive loan high schools and colleges for free. In 2023, the state changed program law to exclude schools that require students to sign a statement of a application of a application, a decision that would single out Crown College and the University of the Northwest, St. Paul, according to legal representation. Now the faculties are fighting against this measure, saying that it discriminates against religious exercises.

Fox News Digital spoke with Diana Thomson from the Beckett Fund for religious freedom, which represents schools in the case against the state.

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“The Supreme Court has said in the last decade that, especially in the context of education, the Government does not have to offer funding for private schools,” Thomson told Fox News Digital. “He runs public schools. He does not have to finance private schools, but when they do so, he cannot exclude religious schools on the basis of their religious status, their religious exercise. So there are cases across the country throughout the country where the Governments are trying to bypass, what said the Supreme Court, and exclude religious schools in educational programs.

Court documents state that the officers singled out the practice of two colleges, following the statements of the faith “creepy” and “admitted that the purpose of the amendment was to force Crown and northwest to leave their statements about faith.”

“One of the things you heard from the legislators … In the process of discovering … it was …” These other schools do not require a statement of faith. Why can’t the crown and northwest just do what they do? Why can’t I just adopt my religious beliefs? ”

“From the proposal to the passage, the amendment aimed at the prosecutors,” the lawsuit said. “The staff admitted that the proposal was motivated by complaints to all reception standards that require students to be actively practiced [their] Christian faith. ‘(Ex. [the school’s] Bible worldview. ‘(Reynolds.tr.1 132: 8-133: 19.) “

Thomson said the law was not about “The separation of the Church and the stateIt’s a choice. ”

“It’s about giving students a choice where they want to go to school. Students have a choice to go to the University of Minnesota, at any public or private school in Minnesota offering this program,” she said. “Some students want to choose schools that establish a community that allows them to perform their faith. This is what this program allows. It does not establish religion to offer the government the choice.”

If the provision was adopted, the lawyer says that families who sent all their children to Crown and the northwest will not have the same options for their younger children who want to get double enrollment loans.

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“I think it is important that governments realize that they cannot exclude religious schools and religious entities to participate in government programs only because of their religious exercise, “Thomson said.” Membership in religious organizations is a fundamental constitutional right that is protected by the first amendment. In order for the government to interfere with this, it is an obvious violation of the Constitution. ”

Fox News Digital addressed the Minnesia Ministry of Education and the Commissioner’s Office. Have not responded to more comment requests.