Free Republic

Two weeks ago in this column, I wrote about students who had been suspended from their high school for passing out candy canes because a Christian message was attached, and I also told readers about a preacher who was banned from praying before a state legislature because his prayer mentioned Jesus. Numerous e-mails from readers posed interesting questions: What if the notes attached to the candy canes had a verse from the Koran? What then would have been the school's reaction? What if the preacher had been a Muslim or a Buddhist? In other words, was the bias against religious...

<p>Education Secretary Rod Paige yesterday stood by his comments favoring schools that appreciate "the values of the Christian community," but said he was not trying to impose his religious views on others.</p> <p>At a hastily called news conference, Mr. Paige told reporters, "I understand completely and respect the separation of church and state." He called himself a "fiery advocate" of public education.</p>

<p>Education Secretary Rod Paige yesterday stood by his comments favoring schools that appreciate ''the values of the Christian community,'' but said he wasn't trying to impose his religious views on others.</p> <p>At a hastily called news conference, Paige said, ''I understand completely and respect the separation of church and state.'' He called himself a ''fiery advocate'' of public education.</p>

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) --The nation's public education leader has drawn fire for expressing a preference for schools that appreciate "the values of the Christian community."</p> <p>"The reason that Christian schools and Christian universities are growing is a result of a strong value system," Education Secretary Rod Paige said in a story run by the Baptist Press, the news service of the Southern Baptist Convention.</p>

(CNSNews.com)- President Bush wants 53.1 billion in federal taxes to spend on public education for fiscal year 2004 as part of the record $2.2 trillion budget he sent to Congress on Monday. Democrats are accusing the president of not spending enough.