Protecting religious liberty requires not just a proper regime of rules and regulations, but also the commitment to enforce those safeguards. In Arkansas, church-state watchers have found that although a rule is in place requiring state-funded pre-schools to refrain from religious indoctrination, there is very little in the way of monitoring and enforcement. So, incidents like the Growing God's Kingdom can go unnoticed, if not for watchdogs shining a light on improper activity. The Arkansas Times does the follow-up reporting:
DHS inspector Kim Chapman visited the site Friday and reported that religious elements are in ample evidence.
…
Chapman’s report on Harris’ school noted that several “scriptural pictures and decorations” hang on the wall in the foyer; several bulletin boards in the hallway leading to the classrooms are decorated in a religious theme; posters displaying a “Pledge of Allegiance to the Christian Flag” and “Pledge to the Bible” are on the walls of one classroom; and daily schedules posted in the classrooms include Bible study and Bible song sessions.
Pre-school children are, obviously, among the most impressionable. Why should their religious education be the function of taxpayer-funded school programs?
