The following comes from a May 25 story in the Weekly Standard.
Before Memorial Day, the California state legislature is expected to vote on two bills restricting religious liberty. One, AB 1888, would cut off public grants to all colleges and universities without policies specifically protecting gay, lesbian and transgender students from any form of discrimination. The other, SB 1146, would require that colleges and universities exempted from Title IX because of religious affiliation publicize their exempt status to current and prospective students, also making those schools vulnerable to legal action under Title IX.
The breadth of SB 1146’s potential legal implications is vague, but the intentions behind it are clear—and controversial. Supporters, according to Religious Liberty, claim they intend to protect “provide a legal remedy for students, for instance, who are admitted to a religious institution before revealing that they are LGBT and are later denied readmission or housing or face harassment.” But opponents to the bill fear its consequences. The California Catholic Conference testified in April about SB 1146— “‘while the state can protect against invidious discrimination, it must do so in a way that does not simultaneously abridge rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.’… CCC argues that this bill ‘raises serious concerns over potential violations of the Equal Protection Clause and provisions of the Due Process’ by creating a civil cause of action for discrimination on the grounds of gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, ‘even where that conduct is compliant with federal law.'”
To deny a California school public funding, as AB 1888 would have it, means the end of Cal Grants, the largest source of state-funded financial aid, on which many institutions depend. Thomas Aquinas College’s non-discrimination policy, for instance, makes no specific mention of gender identity or sexual orientation—under AB 1888, they would no longer be able to offer students the option of state funding.
With religious liberty on the rocks in his home state of California, on May 19, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy helped narrowly defeat an amendment extending an executive order against LGBT discrimination. McCarthy got the credit—or, blame—for changing his colleagues’ minds at the last minute. When the defeat sank in, Democrats in Congress broke decorum and chanted “Shame!”
Just two days before, Speaker Ryan, who oversaw the flipping of seven votes to defeat the amendment, said at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, “Religious liberty is going to make a comeback,” and “There is a growing need for faith in this nation.” A “growing need for faith” meets a mounting opposition to it, and California colleges are caught in the crossfire.
Without religious liberty and freedom of religious expression there is no democracy. If America does not turn back to God very soon, God will take his hand of protection from America and face the judgement of a just and righteous God. Donald Trump is going to be the next President of the United States and I firmly believe that he will be the one that book of Daniel in Holy scripture will be the last King of the South. America Pray, Pray, Pray!
Take government money, live by government rules. I wonder how long it will take Catholic institutions and agencies to learn this simple maxim.
Thomas Aquinas College et al. Check out HIllsdale College. They accept NO FEDERAL FUNDING and thus are beholden to no one. They are the real deal.
Hillsdale College is excellent– although not Catholic, it upholds Biblical Christian faith and morals, and promotes a return to the foundations of our Judeo-Christian Nation– with a Bible in one hand, and the original American Constitution in the other! They also have many good programs, and excellent speakers, and a free publication, “Imprimis,” which I enjoy receiving! Also, they have FREE online courses, and I just started one, “Constitution 101!!” I am very excited about this! For many, may years, this wonderful school has upheld our country’s true foundations, under God! And they refuse all government funding– “no strings!” Better than many of our Catholic schools!
Did you even bother to read the article, which refers to Thomas Aquinas College and their acceptance of Cal Grants? Yes, this is not FEDERAL funding, but it is government funding–and they are thus beholden to the State of California.
Yes, Dave N., we all read the article! And oh, what a pity, to be beholden to either state or federal funding! Thomas Aquinas College also has been in court, regarding Obamacare– also very sad!
Yes! If you take the king’s shilling, then you must march to the king’s drum.
Christendom College is a Catholic liberal arts college in Front Royal, Virginia, United States, which is located in the Shenandoah Valley. It is endorsed by The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College. Wikipedia. They also pubilish a free periodical “Principles” and appear to model themselves after Hilsdale College
I believe that Thomas Aquinas College will flourish and will if nesseccary to remain faithful to it’s call as a Catholic Instituition of Higher Education. We need to continue to fight for our freedom to be Catholic in this country.
Christendom College, in Front Royal, VA, is the only Catholic college in the United States, 100% orthodox ad loyal to the Magisterium– that rejects all federal or state funding. Their beliefs are the same as Hillsdale College, on funding. At their website, at http://www.christendom.edu, one may click on “Support” (in the far right corner), and then, see their beliefs, and statement on funding. They are excellent! They were founded in 1977, in response to the evils of Vatican II, and the liberal filth of the 1960’s hippie era. They have educated lots of homeschooled Catholics. This school has turned out excellent graduates in many fields, for the future of the Church, and of our country! Wonderful!
Take the piper’s money and you have to dance to the piper’s tune.
They can keep the money.
It has happened before:
“Hedge Schools and Classical Education in Ireland
https://www.crisismagazine.com/2016/hedge-schools-and-classical-education-in-ireland
A hedge school is what it sounds like. Lessons were sometimes conducted in secret by Irish teachers out in the country side, often behind hedges but sometimes behind large rocks or in barns.
The students would take turns keeping watch for the authorities.
Throughout those dark days the hunted schoolmaster, with price upon his head, was hidden from house to house.
And, in the summer time he gathered his little class, hungering and thirsting for knowledge, behind a hedge in remote mountain glen—where, while in turn each tattered lad kept watch from the hilltop for the…
Thank you Michael McDermott for your posts and links. They will greatly help me during this election. I have read what Cardinal Sarah said during the prayer breakfast on other sites, too. President Obama needs to listen to what he says, or he will go down as the worst president in history.
Cal Grants is not a matter of Religious Liberty but rather Economic Liberty. And not a victory but a defeat. Nor is it the King’s Shilling or the Piper’s Pay. It’s the working man’s money, time, and labor confiscated, just as if he himself were indentured to the school to tutor, feed, or wash for Freddie Fisheater and little Dolly Partly.
As for McCarthy and Mr. “Growing Need for Faith” Ryan? Two more pols buying votes while affecting to trade for the public good.
Peggy/Linda M/Wheely et al: But I hear tell Thomas Aquinas produces–indirectly–as many or more priests and religious per capita as Christendom (haven’t verified–but who’s counting, eh?).
Have verified that two Hillsdale valedictorians later chose to go to Aquinas as undergrads. Speaks for itself.
Cal Grants go to the student not the college so Aquinas is on neither the federal or state dole.