THE NOBLE ACLU
Fight for the rights of the pornographer, and the Communist, and the draftcard burner, and the criminal. But fight against that citizen who, paying for a God-centered education for his children, objects to paying a second educational bill, this time for the pagan, Christianless state education that is against his religious convictions.
Noble American Civil Liberties Union!
EDWIN H. PALMER
EDUCAID
In Michigan, where a legislative battle rages around government aid for the education of children in independent schools, those who wish to unfavorably color the discussion call it Parochiaid. But the more precise description is Educaid, for it is not aid for Parochial schools alone, or for narrow, parochial interests, but for bona fide education that meets the requirements of the state’s compulsory education laws.
It is this non-pejorative and more accurate title, Educaid, that Dr. Michael Ruiter has given to his recent, excellent 100-page paperback. Although the author is primarily interested in the Michigan situation, the study is much broader than Michigan; he gives valuable insights into the history of the American independent schools; he sets forth the rationale for government aid; and he makes a concrete proposal that would satisfy constitutional requirements. Since he speaks out of the experience of years of administrative work in the Grand Rapids Christian schools, his thoughts are not academically impractical, but worthy of serious consideration.
The work is written, naturally, from a Biblical perspective. It is clear, well organized and not rambling. It should be read by all who want to be informed on this important issue. Better still, buy it.
EDWIN H. PALMER
PU
POAU (Protestants and Other Americans United) has dropped the P of their title—and for the good. This organization was born out of a fear of and in opposition to the Catholic schools, as the P partially indicates. But in the course of time, it has found that for its purposes the word Protestant is embarrassing, and so it has omitted the name. The anti-Catholic bias, however, still continues, as can be seen from its continuing biting, sarcastic innuendoes, half truths and caricatures about Catholics.
Dr. Michael Ruiter is correct, when in a recent study he repeatedly points out that historically the opposition to government aid to independent schools has stemmed primarily from an anti-Catholic bias. “This policy of public support for public schools only was a policy forged by a predominantly Protestant society, fearful of a Catholic minority” (Educaid, 1969, p. 25).
Regardless of differences of opinion on government aid for all children in all schools, the Christian will not want to saddle his argument with animosity, as POAU has done. Such emotionalism is not only un-Christian, it is also an open admission that its logical arguments are not strong after all.
EDWIN H. PALMER
Fight for the rights of the pornographer, and the Communist, and the draftcard burner, and the criminal. But fight against that citizen who, paying for a God-centered education for his children, objects to paying a second educational bill, this time for the pagan, Christianless state education that is against his religious convictions.
Noble American Civil Liberties Union!
EDWIN H. PALMER
EDUCAID
In Michigan, where a legislative battle rages around government aid for the education of children in independent schools, those who wish to unfavorably color the discussion call it Parochiaid. But the more precise description is Educaid, for it is not aid for Parochial schools alone, or for narrow, parochial interests, but for bona fide education that meets the requirements of the state’s compulsory education laws.
It is this non-pejorative and more accurate title, Educaid, that Dr. Michael Ruiter has given to his recent, excellent 100-page paperback. Although the author is primarily interested in the Michigan situation, the study is much broader than Michigan; he gives valuable insights into the history of the American independent schools; he sets forth the rationale for government aid; and he makes a concrete proposal that would satisfy constitutional requirements. Since he speaks out of the experience of years of administrative work in the Grand Rapids Christian schools, his thoughts are not academically impractical, but worthy of serious consideration.
The work is written, naturally, from a Biblical perspective. It is clear, well organized and not rambling. It should be read by all who want to be informed on this important issue. Better still, buy it.
EDWIN H. PALMER
PU
POAU (Protestants and Other Americans United) has dropped the P of their title—and for the good. This organization was born out of a fear of and in opposition to the Catholic schools, as the P partially indicates. But in the course of time, it has found that for its purposes the word Protestant is embarrassing, and so it has omitted the name. The anti-Catholic bias, however, still continues, as can be seen from its continuing biting, sarcastic innuendoes, half truths and caricatures about Catholics.
Dr. Michael Ruiter is correct, when in a recent study he repeatedly points out that historically the opposition to government aid to independent schools has stemmed primarily from an anti-Catholic bias. “This policy of public support for public schools only was a policy forged by a predominantly Protestant society, fearful of a Catholic minority” (Educaid, 1969, p. 25).
Regardless of differences of opinion on government aid for all children in all schools, the Christian will not want to saddle his argument with animosity, as POAU has done. Such emotionalism is not only un-Christian, it is also an open admission that its logical arguments are not strong after all.
EDWIN H. PALMER