Religious Schools Chapel Service

Many private religious universities (Example: OBU) and high schools (Example: Casady) require students to attend chapel service. But, this may force non-Christians to attend a service teaching religious principles they don't agree with. What do you think about Christian schools requiring students to attend chapel services?

Personally, I think Religious schools are private institutions and thus can set their own rules. They accept no federal funds. If a student doesn't approve, he/she doesn't have to attend there.

Your thoughts?

I concur. A religious school is entitled to teach whatever religious principles they desire, within reason. They aren't restricted by the federal government.

[Midtowner]

I attended Bishop McGuinness. Most of the students there were not Catholic. They still had to attend mass like everyone else.

It's up to the parents though... If they don't want their kids going to mass, don't pay the tuition at McGuinness. Seems simple enough to me

What if they want the benefits of a private school though, without having to send their children to public school? Most private schools are religious-based.

I suppose Heritage Hall is an exception.

[Luke]

I am a Christian private school teacher and haven't ever run into that problem. That's because the expectations are clearly laid out in the handbook to which the parents have to agree. If they didn't agree, there wouldn't be any issues as they would most likely take their money and their child elsewhere.

Now, let's talk about taxes that my students and their parents pay in order for the government to fund public education of which they aren't even getting to take advantage. Vouchers, my friends, vouchers.

But that's a whole 'nother issue.

[windowphobe]

It's not like the chapel requirement is being sprung on them unawares; if you're some budding Michael Newdow, you probably should attend school somewhere else.

Luke, at first I was totally opposed to the voucher system. I felt it would hurt the public school system, which it would. But, why should parents that send their children to private schools be required to pay for both public school and private school?

Under the voucher system, the public school system would be forced to manage their money a little more conservatively and intelligently, in order to compete with private schools. This would hurt some public schools that aren't willing to make necessary budget changes, but would improve other public schools, which would probably start operating more efficiently.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Patrick

But, why should parents that send their children to private schools be required to pay for both public school and private school?

Exactly!

Under the voucher system, the public school system would be forced to manage their money a little more conservatively and intelligently, in order to compete with private schools.

....which is exactly what public schools need to do! Isn't is something like $11,000 per child is spent by the government on public education? My private school costs about 1/3 that!

Wow! I wasn't aware of the exact dollar amount the govt. spent per student. That's outrageous. We're definitely not getting our money's worth, that's for sure.

So, this brings up another interesting point.....do you guys think college students should get vouchers to go to private universities? Afterall, tax dollars are going to fund public universities.

[Midtowner]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Wow! I wasn't aware of the exact dollar amount the govt. spent per student. That's outrageous. We're definitely not getting our money's worth, that's for sure.

So, this brings up another interesting point.....do you guys think college students should get vouchers to go to private universities? Afterall, tax dollars are going to fund public universities.

I'm very much against vouchers for private universities. I will be attending one shortly and racking up a HUGE student debt (probably around $66,000 or so). It's just the price you pay for an education. The reason that some students choose the private school over the public one is that they feel that they are investing their money better. You start to include public money and red tape, and you'll start to see the value of private universities go downhill in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Midtowner

You start to include public money and red tape, and you'll start to see the value of private universities go downhill in my opinion.

Midtowner, why couldn't the same be said about private high schools and vouchers?

This is contrary to how most pastors beliee, but I'm actually opposed to the voucher system. When you start getting more federal moneypumped into the private religiuos school setting through government-issued vouchers, the government begins to want more say on the teachings in the private school. Under the current system, private schools have to answer to no one.

[Midtowner]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Midtowner, why couldn't the same be said about private high schools and vouchers?

There are a lot of differences between primary/secondary ed and higher ed.

You of all people should be aware of that.

One can get a good education at a public University like OU or UCO. When it comes to OKC high schools, for example, I don't think they compare even remotely to McGuinness, Casady, etc.