That system cannot work within the confines of a national public school system such as the one we have now in the US. We could argue the merits of this system but I imagine we’d find ourselves on the same side.
My point is that as it stands, the public school system cannot support any religious education. It must be left to private schools, churches and parents. If the nature of one’s employment (active duty military, for example) requires residence in a region dominated by a different religion, should one’s children be educated in that religion? I don’t want my children taught that transsubstantiation is false in school, as I’m sure a Lutheran doesn’t want his or her children taught that it is true. So if I live in a region dominated by Lutherans or Satanists or atheists, I appreciate public schools allowing me to control my children’s theological education, as those of other faiths (or lacks thereof) appreciate the same freedom.
This is what I believe the establishment clause provides. I believe it is worth not only respecting, but also fighting for, as is the rest of the bill of rights.
The establishment clause provides against the congress establishing religious ed curriculum. It has nothing to do with parents establishing the same.
If the parents do not allow diversity in religion ed, then I understand that it might get unpleasant, but even then it would have nothing against the establishment clause.
Of course, American reality is such that if we were free people, we would configure the religious ed pretty much like we configure sports or other electives: the parents get to choose and the parents have to fund their choices.
Welcome to FR. Great screen name.