March 5, 2004

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Awarding of State Financial Aid to Theology Students

By JEFFREY SELINGO

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that states can refuse to provide financial aid to students who major in theology.

In a 7-to-2 ruling in a case involving a scholarship program in Washington State, the justices rejected arguments that banning student aid to theology majors violated the First Amendment's religious-freedom provision and the 14th Amendment's equal-protection guarantees.

"Training someone to lead a congregation is an essentially religious endeavor," Chief

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