Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Now guys, I would appreciate it if we got back on topic. Thanks!

I think you were about to tell us how much you agree with the activities of G. W. Bush's Department of faith[/u].

Because the school has no place teaching anything having to do with religion at all. It implies endorsement and that is completely unAmerican.

quote="Atavistic"]

Cycloptichorn wrote:

Because the school has no place teaching anything having to do with religion at all. It implies endorsement and that is completely unAmerican.

This is simply not true. Teaching the history of religion is in no way an endorsement of that religion. Anybody who's ever taken a western civ class has most likely learned about the history of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. It is not possible to accurately teach the history of modern civilization without covering such significant contributors to it. For instance, how can you understand the history of Europe without being taught how much it was molded by Christian culture? The entire continent was once known as Christiandom for Christ's sake![/quote[/quote]

In high school I took an elective course " Ancient and medieval history" It was taught as history not religion. It did not attempt to sell religion. On the contrary if anything it would tend to make one look at religion, particulasrly Christianity with disdain.

[

Quote:

quote="Atavistic"]

Cycloptichorn wrote:

Because the school has no place teaching anything having to do with religion at all. It implies endorsement and that is completely unAmerican.

This is simply not true. Teaching the history of religion is in no way an endorsement of that religion. Anybody who's ever taken a western civ class has most likely learned about the history of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. It is not possible to accurately teach the history of modern civilization without covering such significant contributors to it. For instance, how can you understand the history of Europe without being taught how much it was molded by Christian culture? The entire continent was once known as Christiandom for Christ's sake![/quote[/quote]

In high school I took an elective course " Ancient and medieval history" It was taught as history not religion. It did not attempt to sell religion. On the contrary if anything it would tend to make one look at religion, particulasrly Christianity with disdain.

So you were taught religion in school without being indoctrinated by it. My point exactly.

So you were taught religion in school without being indoctrinated by it. My point exactly.

Because the school has no place teaching anything having to do with religion at all. It implies endorsement and that is completely unAmerican.

au1929 wrote:

[

Quote:

quote="Atavistic"]

Cycloptichorn wrote:

Because the school has no place teaching anything having to do with religion at all. It implies endorsement and that is completely unAmerican.

This is simply not true. Teaching the history of religion is in no way an endorsement of that religion. Anybody who's ever taken a western civ class has most likely learned about the history of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. It is not possible to accurately teach the history of modern civilization without covering such significant contributors to it. For instance, how can you understand the history of Europe without being taught how much it was molded by Christian culture? The entire continent was once known as Christiandom for Christ's sake![/quote[/quote]

In high school I took an elective course " Ancient and medieval history" It was taught as history not religion. It did not attempt to sell religion. On the contrary if anything it would tend to make one look at religion, particulasrly Christianity with disdain.

So you were taught religion in school without being indoctrinated by it. My point exactly.

No it was stictly from a historical viewpoint. There was nothing religious about it.

No it was stictly from a historical viewpoint. There was nothing religious about it.

Who is eligible for the education tax credit?

Anyone who pays taxes in Arizona, parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors.


What are the tax credit limits?

Private/Parochial Schools

* Persons filing tax returns as single individuals or as heads of household are allowed $500 per taxable year.
* Married couples filing a joint tax return are allowed $1000 per taxable year.
* A husband and wife who file separate returns when they could have filed a joint return may each claim 1/2 of the tax credit that would have been allowed on a joint return.

Public Schools

* Persons filing tax returns as single individuals or as heads of household are allowed $200 per taxable year.
* Married couples filing a joint return are allowed $400 per taxable year.

Is a tax credit the same as a tax-deductible donation?

No! A tax credit is significantly more beneficial than a tax deduction. A tax credit reduces your Arizona tax liability dollar-for-dollar by the amount of your contribution. A deduction reduces the taxable income upon which taxes are calculated. However, It may be possible to claim the payment as an itemized charitable deduction on your Federal income tax return as well.

Wednesday, January 27, 1999

By a 3-2 vote Tuesday, the state high court upheld a 1997 law allowing people to take a tax credit for money donated to organizations that subsidize private school tuition.

"This decision continues the gradual destruction of the wall of separation between church and state that has been under way in the courts," said Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United, one of 11 groups that challenged the program. "It should be a wake-up call to Americans that their fundamental right to support only the religion of their choice is under relentless attack."