Thursday, February 1,1996 Forum on religion and the state touched upon sensitive issues by Bryan Harkins Collegian Staff Last Thursday, the Penn State Behrend Religious Affairs Council held a long awaited forum, “Religion and the State.” Dr. Michael Federici, a lecturer in political science, and Withold “Vic” Walczak from the American Civil Liberties Union participated in the heated debate. Walczak, representing the ACLU’s point of view, believes that if there is not a true separation of church and state, some groups will be oppressed. According to Walczak, if the government gives money to, or shows preferential treatment to, one. religious group, some minority group will inevitably be oppressed. In this case, the government is violating the Constitution. Walczak also argued that the sacredness of religion made a separation necessary. He pointed out that religion has such significance to people that it must be treated differently. Federici agreed that religion is of great importance. Conversely, he argued that because it is so important, it is impossible to completely separate _iL■„ from. EARN MONEY TUTORING: The Penn State Education partnership Program (PEEP) is looking for college students interested in earning extra money tutoring middle school and high school students. If you are interested in earning money tutoring, Call 871-6689 for more information NOW! PARKING NOTICE: There will be no , overnight parking permitted in ihe Jordan Road Lot (behind Police and Safety) to facilitate snow removal. VOLUNTEER TUTORS: The Penn State-Behrend/Diehl Elementary School Adopt-a-School tutoring program wants YOU! For just one hour of tutoring a week, students can help students at Diehl. If Interested, cantact Debbie Burger at 898-6014. FREE TUTORING AVAILABLE: Free tutoring is available in the Learning Assistance Center, 203 Library, Monday through Thursday 9am to 6pm. Friday, 9am to Ipm. Evenings and weekends by appointment/ For more Information call 896-6014 HAVE A PROBLEM? WANT YOUR OPINION HEARD? Write your student leaders and drop it in on-campus mall addressed to SGA, ATtN: Public Relations. FUNDED BY SGA Hazy line separates religion and government _ Religion and the state debate: Vic Walczak, ACLU, and Michael Federici, political science lecturer, hash out the issue of religion and government. government controlled issues. He quoted T. S. Elliot, “If you completely remove religion from the public square, you will create a void and that void will be filled by something else.” Though it was not directly debated, a major part of the discussion was, “do we obey the letter of the law, or the law’s intent?” The point of this topic came mostly into play when attempting to find the purpose of the establishment clause in the Constitution. The establishment clause forbids government from instituting a state religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion. MOST UNIQUE SNOW CREATURE CONTEST You and your friends are invited to participate in the Health and Wellness Center's first annual most unique snow creature contest held during Winter Wellness Fest Tuesday, February 13,1996. if you are interested, contact the Health and Wellness Center and we’ll see you and your creature there.... library hours 1 “ Thursday Y 2 - Friday Y 3 - Saturday INCREASED Nat'l Fellowships/Scholarships Mnnrlav - Thl ir<;rlav study Skills Workshop Juniors and Seniors-3.2+ GPA MOnuay inurSQay Reed Conference Room 3 12:15-1:00pm Afriacan American 8.00 am - midnight 5:15-6:oopm Reed 113 Drama Co. Friday 8:00-9:00pm 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Movie: TBA Reed Lecture ~a“ 0 . . Noon-2:oopm noon-8.00 pm „. , , 0 r Higher Learning 1:00 pm - midnight TheG,assShie,d R Gl *? s Sh j^ d K y Reed 117(2) 10:00 pm Reed 117 @ 10:00 pm ; —=9 <y- <J> 4-Sunday 5-Monday 6-Tuesday j 7-Wednesday Study Skills Workshop SGA Fcmun Reed Conference Room 3 ,2-OOnoon Career Development Center Protestant Campus Minisuy Worship S: 15-6:oopm Outside Joh interviewing SeryiceOnterdenominational) . 6 j '3O-6 ‘oopm 8:00pm Room 114 - Reed Nat'l Fellowships/Scholarships Freshmen and Sophomores Human Relations Human Relations 3.2+GPA Programming Council Programming Council 4:15-s:oopm 12:00 noon 6:oopm Reed 113 The Glass Shield Movie: TBA Reed 117 @ 10:00 pm Noon-2:oopm l A Resource Center A ~ News Another topic discussed during the forum fell under the question of whether or not we have, or should have, a complete separation of church and state. The consensus was that the status quo is such that there is no complete separation of church and state. Walczak, who supports a wall of separation, agreed that “there is not an absolute separation of the church and state.” Walczak continued, “the law is somewhat confused but I think we have a basic separation of church and state.” When people in the audience commented on adding to, or Student Events changing, the establishment clause, Federici replied, “It doesn’t matter what the Constitution says, the Supreme Court will essentially interpret it to mean whatever they want” The forum then continued with more specific issues. The first of the issues to be addressed were school vouchers. The proposed school voucher program would provide tuition reimbursement vouchers for parents who choose to send their children to private schools. Though Federici would not argue whether or not they are good policy, he stood up for their constitutionality. Submissions are now being accepted for Tempus literary magazine. Send manuscripts to Box 1020 or the Student Activities mailbox. “It doesn’t matter what the Constitution says, the Supreme Court will essentially interpret it to mean whatever they want. ” -Dr. Michael Federici Lecturer in Political Science Walczak strongly disagreed on this point. “Tuition vouchers are absolutely unconstitutional. If this passes, and Governor Ridge (PA-R) knows this, the ACLU will be there to challenge it.” The other issue that arose, was whether or not parents sending their children to private schools are getting double taxed. The conclusion was that they are technically not getting double taxed. But because they have to pay an area school tax and private school tuition, they are paying double. Dr. Zachary Irwin, a political science professor at Behrend, commented on the effectiveness of the open discussion. “Of the forty or so people here, a majority, or close to the majority, of them asked questions. J think that attests to the sheer vitality of the issues discussed.” Page 3
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