09/21/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9.19.2023
Contact: Jay Pritchard
214.558.6656
[email protected]
Pastors for Texas Children Calls Out Governor Abbott for his
Support of Private School Vouchers
Vouchers are a Clear Violation of the American Ideal of Separation of Church and State
In an unprecedented violation of God’s law of religious liberty and the American doctrine of the separation of church and state, Governor Greg Abbott this afternoon called on ministers and pastors to use God’s pulpit to push his private school voucher program.
Specifically, October 15 has been designated as pro-voucher Sunday.
“The people of Texas know an eternal truth that seems to escape Gov. Abbott, that all genuine faith is voluntary and cannot properly be endorsed or supported by the authority of the state,” said Rev. Charles Foster Johnson, executive director of Pastors for Texas Children. “The use of public tax dollars to subsidize religious instruction is a sin against God.”
The governor’s initiative today is in direct response to Pastors for Texas Children’s decade-long opposition to the diversion of public funds for private and religious schools. Pastors for Texas Children is very intentional in its messaging to keep politics out of our pulpits. Individual clergy conduct our engagements outside formal times of religious gatherings.
Furthermore, the threats made by the governor this afternoon against pro-public education State Representatives are an inappropriate and desperate attempt to intimidate dedicated public servants representing the interests of their people.
“This crass bullying is particularly odious,” continued Johnson. “The truth of the matter is that the House of Representatives of the State of Texas opposes private school vouchers, as they have for over two decades. That will not change no matter how many special legislative sessions the governor calls.”
Pastors for Texas Children stands strong for the universal education of all God’s children, provided, and protected by the public trust. We oppose all attempts to privatize it for sectarian, religious, and political reasons.
