How about this practical application: is it a violation of the First Ammendment for the federal government to subsidize religious schools? Isn't that the "ocean seeping into the Dutch people?" The federal government would be taking tax dollars and supporting a religious institution, wouldn't it? I bring this up because it is a key argument by those who want to confuse. The answer is of course: NO! It is not a violation of the First Ammendment and this is why: The federal government supports the general public in many tangible and intangible ways (some, including me, would say too many ways, but that's another discussion). The key issue here is the word "religion." The statement above does not specify a certain religion. The state is not declaring a particular church or school and excluding others. Additionally, the federal government outsources many services. Education is currently a responsibility of the state, and to allow (and compensate) other facilities (religious or otherwise) to meet that responsibility is certainly constitutional. How about putting it this way, is it unconstitutional for the federal government to make medicare and medicaid payments to religious hospitals? Of course not and no one disputes that. Keep thinking and reading because the basic truth can easily be twisted. Thanks Orrin! -Larry Herring "The problem with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant. It's that they know so much that isn't so." -Ronald Reagan