Ohio Republican Governor Forces Schools To Partner With Religious Groups If They Want Taxpayer Dollars

In a blatant violation of separation of church and state, Ohio’s Republican governor is literally forcing public schools to partner with religious groups if they want taxpayer funding. Because Ohio voters are apparently gluttons for punishment and chose not to oust incumbent Governor John Kasich, they now have to live with the reality that one way or another, their kids are going to be preached to and possibly indoctrinated into a religious sect. That’s Kasich’s “vision” under a mentoring program that requires schools to partner with a business and a church if they want to qualify for a piece of $10 million given to schools that work with at-risk students. There are no exceptions to the rule and schools who fail to comply with Kasich’s demands will receive zero funding. Despite religious groups clearly being given the red carpet welcome into schools with or without the approval of students and their parents, an Ohio Department of Education analyst insists that religious partners won’t be preaching to students in an effort to convert them.

“The faith-based organization is clearly at the heart of the vision of the governor. We do not foresee any proselytizing happening between mentors and students. That’s not really what we’re seeking.”

Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols told the press, “The governor believes faith-based organizations play an important role in the lives of young people” when asked about why religion is being forced upon schools as a requirement for them to receive public funds. Of course, one wonders if the religious organization requirement only restricts schools to partnering with Christian groups, or can other groups such as the Satanic Temple, atheists, and pagans become partners as well? Because we all know that if these other religious groups are prohibited from being partners, Republicans will once again be forced to show their cards and reveal themselves as the conservative “Christian” lackeys we know they all are. The fact is, withholding public money from schools just because they don’t want to intermingle with a church is wrong. It’s also unconstitutional. There is a reason we have separation of church and state. It would be acceptable if religious groups helped students without preaching to them and pushing religious beliefs on them, but it’s inevitable that a religious partner will do that exact thing, thus violating the constitutional rights of the students and outraging many in the process. In the end, this is just another idea concocted by the GOP to insert religion in schools where it doesn’t belong.