dangers the integrity and independence of church schools through government controls. Public aid for religious schools also diverts needed financial support from public education, which serves as a primary democratizing institution in our pluralistic society (Americans United for Separation of Church and State). This idea, if ratified in its current form, would infringe upon the boundaries set by the Lemon tests. By supporting the voucher plan, government’s primary effect is to advance religion by allocating funds for students to attend religious schools. This course of action violates the Lemon laws by creating an excessive government entanglement with religion (School Prayer).Another blow against religious objectivity came in the case of Holmes v Bush. The dispute materialized when Governor Jeb Bush of Florida not only encouraged but pressured legislature to enact a statewide voucher program in 1999. The plan was supposed to help diligent students escape failing schools, but when the vouchers became redeemable in private religious schools it was clear that this was a concealed method of promoting religion in schools (Americans United for Separation of Church and State). The plan, in effect, would have re-routed billions of dollars in funding from public schools to religiously based institutions. In March 2000, the court struck down Bush’s program under the premise that State funding can only go to public educational programs. In spite of the courts’ conclusion that the voucher program is unconstitutional, Bush along with other government officials are still pushing for an appeal (Americans United for Separation of Church and State).When push comes to shove the greatest threat to the policy of separation of church and state is none other than President George W. Bush. President Bush proposed an entire “faith based” initiative as a social service. Bush’s new scholastic regime not only fosters governm...
