Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Catholic
Politics and Religion
Religious Schools and Equal Access to Public Funding

Religious Schools and Equal Access to Public Funding

Last updated on: July 11, 2026 at 2:50 pm by Dennis McIntyre

0 Comments

Religious Schools and Equal Access to Public Funding 2026-07-11T14:50:03-04:00 Dennis McIntyre

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Public funding for religious schools is a growing issue across the U.S. – image courtesy of Vecteezy.com.

Across the United States, lawmakers, parents, and courts continue to debate whether students who attend religious schools should have equal access to public tuition assistance programs. Supporters argue that governments should not exclude families from educational benefits simply because they choose faith-based schools. Critics contend that public dollars should not support religious instruction and that participating schools should comply fully with state nondiscrimination requirements. Courts and policymakers increasingly face the challenge of applying the same principles to all religious communities. Supreme Court decisions such as Carson v. Makin have strengthened arguments that religious schools cannot be excluded solely because of their religious character. Still, significant disagreements remain over eligibility requirements and state oversight. Let’s take a look.

The Crosspoint Bangor Christian School Situation

The ongoing dispute involving Crosspoint Church and Bangor Christian School in Maine highlights one of the most visible conflicts over religious schools and public funding. In Carson v. Makin, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that Maine could not exclude otherwise qualified religious schools from its tuition assistance program simply because they were religious. The case involved families seeking to use tuition benefits at Bangor Christian School and other faith-based schools.

In anticipation of that loss, the Maine Legislature amended the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA). This amendment required any private school accepting public tuition dollars to comply with state anti-discrimination laws regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. Crosspoint Church argued that certain nondiscrimination requirements conflicted with the school’s religious beliefs. In 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit largely upheld Maine’s position, finding that the state could require participating schools to follow those standards if they wished to receive tuition assistance funds.

Supporters of Bangor Christian School argue that Maine effectively created new barriers to religious participation after losing in the Supreme Court. State officials respond that all schools receiving public funds must meet the same civil rights requirements.

School Funding Controversy in Texas

Texas recently became the center of another major religious school funding controversy. When the state launched its Education Freedom Account program, several Muslim families and Islamic schools alleged that Islamic institutions were being excluded from participation while other faith-based schools were approved. Lawsuits filed by Muslim parents and schools argued that the state was engaging in religious discrimination by preventing qualified Islamic schools from accessing the same educational funding available to other private schools. Plaintiffs claimed that numerous Islamic schools were either not approved or removed from approval lists without adequate explanation.

The controversy intensified because Texas officials had raised concerns about affiliations involving organizations they viewed as problematic. Muslim families and school leaders argued that such concerns were being applied unfairly and that the Constitution requires equal treatment regardless of faith. Following court intervention, several Islamic schools were eventually approved to participate in the program. Even so, the lawsuits underscored concerns among Muslim families that school choice programs must apply equally to all religions if they are to withstand constitutional scrutiny.

School Funding Controversy in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has become another battleground in the debate over publicly supported religious education. A proposed Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School sought approval as a publicly funded charter school, but state officials rejected the application based on Oklahoma’s restrictions on religious charter schools. Supporters of the school argue that excluding a Jewish school because of its religious identity constitutes unconstitutional discrimination. They contend that families should have access to educational options that reflect their faith and cultural traditions.

At the same time, some Jewish leaders in Oklahoma have expressed concerns about publicly funded religious schools. They worry that allowing a religious school to access public funding could create unintended consequences for religious minorities and public education. These concerns demonstrate that even within religious communities, opinions differ about the best way to protect religious liberty. The resulting litigation could become another significant test of how courts interpret constitutional protections for religious schools following recent Supreme Court rulings.

National Trends Over Public Funding of Religious Schools

The disputes in Maine, Texas, and Oklahoma reflect a broader national trend. States continue to struggle with balancing religious freedom, parental choice, public accountability, and constitutional concerns about government involvement in religion. Many states still face litigation over whether faith-based schools may participate in scholarship, voucher, or education savings account programs. Critics often argue that taxpayer funds should remain separate from religious instruction. Supporters maintain that funding follows students and families rather than institutions, making exclusion of religious schools discriminatory.

Florida’s Approach

Florida has taken a different approach. The state has expanded scholarship and school-choice programs that allow families to direct educational funds to a wide range of participating schools, including religious schools. Programs such as the Family Empowerment Scholarship and Florida Tax Credit Scholarship have created pathways for parents to choose faith-based educational options without the lengthy legal battles seen elsewhere. While debate continues over the long-term effects of school choice programs, Florida has demonstrated that states can create systems that include religious schools rather than excluding them from participation at the outset.

The Catholic View

Religious schools have been denied access to public education funding in some states – image courtesy of Vecteezy.com.

Jesus consistently emphasized principles of mercy, justice, and equal treatment. He opposed favoritism and consistently reached out to people whom society marginalized or excluded. In Matthew 7:12, often called the Golden Rule, He instructed believers to treat others as they would want to be treated. James 2 warns against showing partiality among different groups of people.

Many supporters of religious school access argue that governments should not treat faith-based schools differently solely because of religion. They contend that if there is a public benefit for families, equal access reflects fairness and respect for religious freedom.

Opponents often point to other values they believe are equally important, including equal protection, nondiscrimination, and stewardship of public funds. They argue that participation in government-funded programs can reasonably require compliance with standards applied to all recipients.

The Final Word

The central question is where to draw the line between religious freedom and government oversight. Jesus’ teachings consistently call believers to pursue truth, justice, humility, and love for their neighbors while engaging difficult public questions. In this case, we penalize kids in faith-based schools by limiting their access to public education funding. The families of these students pay taxes like everyone else. I understand that states may have anti-discrimination policies regarding this funding. Still, when these policies force religious schools to accept conditions that conflict with their faith beliefs, the issue becomes more about “forced compliance” than about providing funds for education. The schools and local governments should be able to resolve this without making it a political issue, as Florida did.

Please share your thoughts or any questions about this article in the “Comments” section below.

Stay updated on the latest articles and insights from the column. Subscribe to my newsletter to ensure you receive every new post. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter.

Peace

If you like this article, you might also enjoy:

The “New Birth of Freedom” Exhibit Celebrates America
SCOTUS Birthright Citizenship Decision: What It Means
Mayor Mamdani’s July 4 Speech Sparks Controversy

General Christian

Education and Religion

About Dennis McIntyre

In my early years, I was a member of the Methodist church, where I was baptized as a child and eventually became a lector. I always felt very faith-filled, but something was missing. My wife is Catholic, and my children were baptized as Catholics, which helped me find what I was looking for. I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, walking with Jesus. I was welcomed into the Catholic faith and received the sacraments as a full member of the Catholic Church in 2004. I am a Spiritual Director and commissioned to lead directees through the 19th Annotation. I am very active in ministry, serving as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister and providing spiritual direction. I have spent time working with the sick and terminally ill in local hospitals and hospice care centers, and I have found these ministries challenging and extremely rewarding. In addition to publishing articles on Patheos, I have also published articles on Beliefnet.com. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

July 9, 2026

Mayor Mamdani’s July 4 Speech Sparks Controversy

Next Post

July 14, 2026 Trump’s Bears Ears Decision Sparks National Debate

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"This is far from settled science. I raised questions that are already out there. You ..."

Dennis McIntyre

Are Vaccines Harming Our Children? Facts, ..."

"Your claims are false. The only evidence you present is a single non peer reviewed ..."

FOOM

Are Vaccines Harming Our Children? Facts, ..."

"The doubts were already there. You just don't want to believe them. Your passionate, although ..."

Dennis McIntyre

Are Vaccines Harming Our Children? Facts, ..."

"The question, “Are vaccines harming our children?” does not have a simple answer.Sure it does: ..."

FOOM

Are Vaccines Harming Our Children? Facts, ..."

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category $375M penalty 1 in 9.2 quintillion 1954 1964 Civil Rights Act 3M and Dupont 764 Network 9/11 988 A Tale of Two Horses A&E Real Estate abortion abortion Abortion Abortion Pill Reversal abundant abundant life abundant life academic excellence accountability accountable active listening addiction addiction Adoption Adultery Advent Advocate Affordable Care Act Agape Agent Orange AI Alabama Supreme Court All Saints Day almsgiving American History AML anointed anti-ICE raids antisemitism antisemitism anxiety Apostles Armistice Day artificial intelligence Ascension Thursday Ash Wednesday assassination Assassinations assimilation assisted dying assisted suicide attacks attitude Australia Australia Autism Therapy Billing Fraud banned books baptism Baptism of the Lord Barnard College BBC Beatitudes Beatitudes bias Bible Reflection Bible Study Biblical Reflection Biden DOJ big beautiful bill Bioethics birthright citizenship Birthright Citizenship Blind Man BLM riots blockade Bloody Sunday Bodhi Bondi brackets breaking bread Brian Thompson Brown University bubble teams Budget management buffer zones Business California AB 1955 Calvary Cancer Capitol riot carry your cross cashless bail Catholic Catholic Catholic Books Catholic Commerntary Catholic Education Catholic Faith Catholic Faith Formation Catholic Family Life Catholic Living Catholic Perspective Catholic Reflections census census charitable donations charity Charity Charlie Kirk Charlie Kirk Charlotte murder ChatGPT Chicago child abuse child abuse child safety online Childhood Cancer children china dependency Christian christian genocide Christian Living Christian Nation Christian Nationalism Christian Reflection Christian Reflections Christianity Christianity Christmas Christmas Church Teaching Civic Engagement civic integration Civil Commitment Climate change closed border clothing college campuses college campuses College of Cardinals Colonists Colorado Columbia University coming of the Lord commandments Commentary common good common good communication Communion Community commute sentences compact compassion compassion compassion compassion compensation concealed evidence Confession confession Congress Conservation contaminated water contention Controversy controversy conversion Corpus Christi court challenges COVID-19 COVID-19 crime Crime crime victims' rights criminalize crisis Critical Race Theory crucifixion Culture culture of death Current Events Cybersecurity D-Day Invasion David dazzling white de-escalate Dead Hand death Death Penalty democrats denuclearization destruction deterrent Devil DHS dignity of human life Discipleship discipline Discipline discipline divide Divine Mercy Sunday division Doha DOJ Donald Trump double-digit inflation doubting Thomas drug prevention drug trafficking Easter Easter Easter Monday Economic Policies Economics economy Education Education News Education Technology election Election Day electoral college Elijah Emmanuel Emmaus Energy Environment equality Establishment Clause eternal life eternal life eternal reward Ethics Ethics & Society Eucharist Eucharist Eucharistic Procession Euthanasia Evangelists Evergreen High School exalts Executive Orders expiring FACE Act FACE Act Faith faith Faith & Culture Faith & Spiritual Growth Faith & Spirituality Faith and Society Faith Reflection faithfulness Family Right and Responsibilities Act family separation fasting FDA approvals Feast of Christ the King Feast of the Holy Family federal funding Feeding Our Future Fifth Sunday of Easter Fifth Sunday of Lent Fig tree Finance financial mismanagement fire First Amendment First Amendment foreign nationals forgive Forgiveness founding fathers Fourteenth Amendment Fourth Sunday in Advent Fourth Sunday of Easter Fourth Sunday of Lent Fraud free speech freedom freedom of conscience gardener Gaudete Sunday Gay community Gaza War GDP Gen Z gender confusion gender ideology gender ideology general assembly generosity GEO Politics Geopolitics gerrymandering Gerrymandering Giving Machines Global Affairs global impact glory God God's glory God's grace God's presence God's presence God's presence God's voice Good Friday Good Shepherd Good Shepherd gospel Gospel Reflections Government Government Policy government shutdown government shutdown Government Weaponization graces Gratitude gun control Gun violence Hamas Hamas Israel War Hanukkah harvest Hate Crimes hate speech hate speech health Health Health Policy healthcare crisis Healthcare Crisis hearts heaven Hezbollah Higher Education higher prices higher revenue History History of Christianity Holiday Holidays Holiness Holy Days Holy Spirit Holy Spirit Holy Spirit Holy Thursday homeless Homeless honor victims hope Hope hospitality hospitality Human Rights human trafficking Humanitarian Crisis humanitarian crisis humble humble Humility humility humility Hyde Act ICE ICE ICE Facility ICE Raids illegal immigrants illegal immigrants illegal immigration immigrants immigration immigration Immigration Policy Immigration Reform Independence Day inhumane integrity Interfaith International Day of Charity International Day of Tolerance International Relations intolerance involuntary Iran Iran Iran War Iran War IRS Isaiah Israel Israel Iran War January 6 January 6th Jerusalem Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Christ Jesus' divinity Jesus' humanity Jesus' identity Jesus' Identity Rooted in God Jesus' Passion John Paul II John the Baptist Johnson Amendment joint session of Congress Joseph's dream judgment July 4 Just War justice justice keyboard warriors kids under 16 kindness kingship Kwanzaa Labor Market laborers Laetare Sunday Lamb of God last charge Last Supper Last Supper Last Supper Law Law & Governance Lazarus Lazarus leave no one behind legacy Legal Issues Legal News legal settlement Lent Lent Lent and Easter lepers LGBTQ+ Light Breaks Into the Darkness litigation Liturgy living water love Love low-income families lowly Luke Luke Luke 15 Lulumon Maduro Mainstream Media March Madness Martha and Mary Mary and Martha mask mandate mass deportations Mass Deportations mass executions mass shootings Mayor Mamdani Mayor Mamdani Medicaid Housing Fraud Medical Aid in Dying Medical Aid in Dying Medicare Meditation mental health Mental Health mental health mental health providers mental illness mercy Mercy Merry Christmas Messiah Meta Verdict Mexico City Policy Middle East mineral stockpile Minneapolis Minnesota tragedy mission mixed-status families MLB morally just Moses Moses mourning muslim extremists mustard seed Naaman narrow gate National Crime Victims Rights Week National Crime Victims' Rights Week National Day of Prayer National Events National Popular Vote Pact National Suicide Prevention Week National Vietnam War Veterans Day nativity NBA NCAA Mens Basketball Championship neglect New York New York New York City New York City News Nigeria No King but King Jesus novemdiales nuclear nuclear Nuclear Arms nuclear conflict Obamacare subsidies obedience oil prices Olympic Opening Ceremonies Online Sports Betting open borders open borders Operation Epic Fury oppression Ordinary Time Our Father Palestine Palm Sunday pandemic papabili papal conclave parable Parable of the Lost Son parental monitoring parental notification parental rights parental rights Parenting passion patience Patriot Day peace Peace peace through strength Pentecost Pentecost persecuted Perseverance Persistence Personal Growth pet care PFAS Pharisee Philosophy physician-assisted suicide Pilgrim's Prayer political allegiance political discourse political divide political division political endorsements political leverage political rhetoric Politics poor Pope Francis Pope Francis' Death popular vote Pornography poverty poverty Poverty power Prayer prayer Prayer prayer prayer prayer Prayer Prayer and Devotion pre-existing conditions preiest Presidential Pardon pride Pro-Hamas Protests Pro-Life pro-life supporters Project Vault protests protests protests PTSD Public discourse Public Lands Public Policy public witness punitive tariffs Quads Racism raised from the dead readiness reciprocal tariffs Reconciliation redemptive suffering redistricting Redistricting reflection rejoice relationship Relationship relationship relationship relationship relax and recharge religion Religion Religion & Ethics Religion & Faith Religion and Culture Religion and Society religious extremism Religious Freedom religious freedom Reparations reporting resolve resurrection resurrection retreat rich man righteousness rising Roblox Sabbath safety safety risks Saint Paul Saint Peter Salmon River School District Samaritan woman SAVE Act SB 5375 School Choice School shooting school shooting School systems SCOTUS Scripture Scripture Commentary Scripture Reflections Scripture Study Seal of Confession Second Amendment Second Sunday in Advent Second Sunday in Lent Second Sunday of Easter secure elections sede vacante Self-Care self-giving love self-harm Selma Separation of church and state servant leadership Seventh Sunday of Easter sexual exploitation Sexually explicit content sheep shelters Siloam simple sin sin Sixth Sunday of easter SNAP Social Issues Social Justice social media Social Media Ban social reform Society Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity speech spiritual spiritual blindness Spiritual Companion Spiritual Direction spiritual direction Spiritual Growth spiritual liberty Spiritual Priorities Spiritual Unity spiritual unity spiritual urgency spirituality Spirituality Sports State Stewards Submarines suffering Suicide suicide suicide pod Sunday Mass Readings Sunday Readings Surrender Sydney Tariffs tariffs tax taxes Technology teen suicide Teens Temple Temptations in the Desert Ten Commandments Tennessee bills term limits terminally ill Terror Attacks Terrorism Texas SB 2972 Thanksgiving The Advocate The Day of the Lord Theology Third Sunday in Advent Third Sunday of Lent Timeout boxes Tolerance total commitment toxic training Transfiguration Transfiguration transformation Transformed Life Transgender Treasures in Heaven trial Triduum trinity Trinity Trump Trump Trump trust Trust Truth two disciples U.S. Foreign Policy U.S. Growth U.S. History U.S. News U.S. Supreme Court Ukraine War Ukraine War unaccompanied minors Uncategorized unconditional understanding United Nations United States unity unity unity Unity unity with God universal health care unjust judge unselfish Urban Affairs Vaccinations vending machines Venezuela Veterans Day Vietnam War Vigilant violent protests visas revoked voter suppression waiting War on Drugs Washington State well widow wooden beam Word made flesh World Affairs World Community Sunday World Day Against Trafficking in Persons World News World Trade Center World War II World War III worldly tasks worship

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the name "Jesus" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Prince of peace The Lord saves Teacher God is with us