State lawmakers say they will continue to push to make state scholarship money available for students studying theology, in spite of Wednesday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that states can legally withhold the money.
“It’s a person’s right to study theology and it’s just as valid in my mind as a person who is an English major or a Greek history major,” said Sen. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City. Allen is a sponsor of one measure in a four-bill package that cleared the Senate last month with virtually no opposition and awaits House action.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm had indicated earlier that she did not oppose the legislation, which would overturn existing state law that prohibits students majoring in theology, divinity or religious education from receiving state tuition assistance.
The nation’s high court ruled that the state of Washington was operating within the law when it denied a scholarship to a student studying to be a minister.
Those who oppose tax-supported scholarships for religious study generally do so on grounds that it violates the constitutional separation of church and state.