In Missouri, we believe in something called the separation of church and state. That means the government doesn’t tell people what to believe — and it doesn’t use public money to support any one religion.
But now, some “school choice” programs are starting to blur that line.
Let’s talk about what that means for our schools, our taxes, and our values.
What Does the Missouri Constitution Say?
Missouri’s Constitution is very clear. It says that public money — like your tax dollars — should not be used to help any religious group or school.
That’s because:
- Everyone has the right to believe what they want
- The government should treat all religions equally
- Public money should be used for public things — like roads, parks, and schools
This rule helps protect both freedom of religion and fairness for all.
What’s Changing?
Some school choice programs — like vouchers and education savings accounts — give public money to private schools. And many of those private schools are religious.
That means:
- Taxpayer money is being used to pay for religious education
- Some schools may teach only one religion or require prayer
- Families who don’t share that religion are still helping pay for it
Even if you don’t send your child to a religious school, your taxes might be used to support one.
Why It Matters
We believe families should be free to choose a religious education if they want to. But that doesn’t mean the government should pay for it.
When public money goes to religious schools:
- It breaks the promise of church and state separation
- It can lead to unfair treatment of students who don’t share the same beliefs
- It takes money away from public schools that serve everyone
What Can We Do?
We can:
- Support public schools that welcome all students, no matter their beliefs
- Ask lawmakers to follow the Missouri Constitution
- Keep public money in public schools
Let’s make sure our schools are fair, open, and respectful of all families — no matter what they believe.
Because in Missouri, we believe in freedom, fairness, and strong public schools for every child.