Ooops – We thought we were using taxpayer dollars to fund only Christian schools

Louisiana Republicans supported Gov. Bobby Jindal's overhaul of the state's education system, which includes a voucher program that allows state funds to be used to send students to religiously-affiliated schools.  But when they realized that Islamic schools could also be among the religious institutions supported by taxpayer funds, their enthusiasm waned.

Rep. Valarie Hodges (R-Watson) voted for Jindal's bill in the Louisiana House, but has since withdrawn her support for the measure because she now realizes that it "unfortunately" applies more broadly than to what she claims is the "American Founding Fathers' religion, which is Christianity."  Hodges worries that funds will be used to fund"thousands" of "radical Islam schools" and put students "in jeopardy," according to Think Progress.  Joining Hodges is Rep. Kenneth Havard (R-Jackson)  reportedly claimed that he won’t support any education spending plan that “will fund Islamic teaching.”

Some of the voucher money will be going to Christian schools that teach "Biblical science," such as that the theory of evolution is wrong.

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D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.

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