Pastor Bohler asks (and you will have to relay my answers, I'm not sure he reads my postings):
If I borrow money from the bank to buy a car, can the bank insist that I only buy a Ford and that I am forbidden to buy a Chevy, and I can only buy from their list of "approved" dealers?
I answe
They might have something to say about the kind of car you buy. And if a bank gives you a mortgage, they have a right to insist that the house meets certain standards.
Pastor Bohler asks:
If I borrow money from the government (in the form of student loans), can the government insist I only attend a school on their "approved" list which teaches what the government wants/approves/directs?
I answer:
In a way, yes. The government can insist that its money not be spent in ways that will sustain or advance discrimination or racism or other things deemed harmful to the public good. It is the public's money and those caring for that money - government and regulatory agencies - have the responsibility to see that it is not spent in ways that work against the public good.
Pastor Bohler asks:
If a homosexual wants to marry, can a baker refuse to bake them a cake (we already know the answer to that one)? If a Christian wants to attend a Christian college, can the government prevent them (it looks like we know what that answer will be, at least in California)?
I answer:
No, the government cannot prevent a Christian from attending a Christian college. You tell me how they could do that. If you want to spend your own money on a Christian college, you can go wherever you want. If you are using public money, that may not be the case; but in no way can the government prevent anyone from attending a Christian college.
In Re the proposed California Law and similar legislative attempts. Is there anything that I have not noticed about the California law that suggests that the concern is that the religious schools that would be impacted by the law may not be academically adequate? Is one or the primary reason for disallowing students from using their Cal Grant money at a particular school that it would not be academically acceptable?
Going to college is a financial burden. Very few families can simply write a check and put their children through college. For the vast majority of students there needs to be a mix of financial aid - scholarships and grants, student work during college, family support and student loans. The more of the former, the less of the latter which eventually will need to be paid back. Cal Grant is offered to California students who have financial need, have a qualifying academic record and enroll in a California college or university. It is a major part of a financial aid package and loss of it would greatly increase the cost of college.
The proposed law would change that in that schools that otherwise qualify to receive students with Cal Grants would be prohibited unless they reduce the schools religious involvement. Religious schools
because they are religious schools would be disqualified they segregate their religious involvement to church work preparation and the state would determine what that can be.
In other words, the state would have a anti-religious litmus test for the schools to pass. You could still go there but at a much greater expense than if you would go to a school that has an ideology that the state approves. Among colleges and universities in California, the state would pick winners and losers. Religion as religion would be a loser. Is it right for the state to discriminate against schools on the basis of religion?
If so, how does that square with the First Amendment?
