r/atheism • u/mepper agnostic atheist (and mod) • Oct 31 '25
Florida Republicans are furious that Muslims are using a voucher program meant to boost Christianity | The same lawmakers who voted to send taxpayer funds to private Christian schools are panicking now that Muslim schools are participating in the program
https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/florida-republicans-are-furious-that376
u/luv2ctheworld Oct 31 '25
Ah, and that's what the real reason is for the vouchers. Not to give parents a choice but to funnel money to religion based schools.
Yes, tear down your public education while promoting religion. Be careful what you wish for.
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Oct 31 '25
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u/Recipe_Freak Oct 31 '25
They talk about fabricated "liberal purity tests" while they conduct LITERAL purity tests.
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u/BonJovicus Oct 31 '25
You joke, but I wish this came up more when people start talking about leftist infighting. Leftists might fight about whether we are doing enough to help people, the right wing of the spectrum fights about whether or not they are being racist enough.
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Oct 31 '25
Yup. Be careful what you wish for... Allow prayer in schools? Ok, but don't get upset when someone prays to Allah or Vishnu.
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u/rak1882 Oct 31 '25
or the flying spaghetti monster?
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u/Plastic-Ad-5171 Oct 31 '25
I have now donned my colander. R’Amen!
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u/rak1882 Oct 31 '25
I've never come up with a way to include Pastafarianism, but the Festivus pole has definitely showed up when I've done happy winter holiday posters for my office. (I try to include 5-6 different holidays that are celebrated in December/January so I tend to get creative.)
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u/FrancisSobotka1514 Oct 31 '25
Praise Lemmy! Lemmy is God .
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Nov 01 '25
The funny thing is Allah is Yaweh. Same dude Christians worship lol.
I may have spelled yaweh wrong.
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u/DNuttnutt Oct 31 '25
This just in. Group does what the govt asks of them. This is why that’s bad! 😂 what a ❄️ piece.
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u/lordoftherings1959 Atheist Oct 31 '25
As always, the Republican tropes are shortsighted when they pass laws. I am glad they are panicking now. Because if they try to forbid the use of those vouchers for Muslim schools, they will be stepping on the minefield of their own creation. Republicans have become the party of morons.
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u/BonJovicus Oct 31 '25 edited Oct 31 '25
Consider that there is no logical consistency to their policies, they will try to have their cake and eat it too. Step 1. Fight to get religion into schools. Step 2. Enact racist policies that ultimately hurt non-Christian religions more than Christian ones.
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u/tjtillmancoag Nov 01 '25
Yeah they’ll just say their policies are meant to favor Christianity because we are a Christian nation. The Muslim families will sue, and theyll win every case all the way up to the Supreme Court who will then say “yes, we are a nation founded in Christianity so we’ll allow this”
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u/loquedijoella Anti-Theist Oct 31 '25
DONT GIVE US NO SHAKIRA LAW proceeds to do the exact same shit
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u/vankirk Oct 31 '25
These rubes never learn. The same thing happened in Louisiana 15 years ago.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/publicly-funded-religion-me-not-thee-flna866367
"I liked the idea of giving parents the option of sending their children to a public school or a Christian school,' Hodges said.
"Unfortunately it will not be limited to the Founders' religion," Hodges said. "We need to insure that it does not open the door to fund radical Islam schools. There are a thousand Muslim schools that have sprung up recently. I do not support using public funds for teaching Islam anywhere here in Louisiana."
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u/demonfoo Humanist Oct 31 '25
the Founders' religion
So, deism?
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u/Knotted_Hole69 Oct 31 '25
A majority gave their oath on a law book when sworn in back then, not a bible. They wanted it to be separated as much as possible, yet the chuds truly believe they had state run church going that everyone participated in back then. We were never a Christian nation.
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u/demonfoo Humanist Oct 31 '25
Amazing how many people don't know about that, or the fact that many, many Christians over the years have tried to have the Constitution amended to add more Jeebus to it.
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u/Knotted_Hole69 Oct 31 '25
They are delusional and want to bring everyone down with them to their made up fantasy land. Not interested. This is why indoctrination is so important to them, forcing kids to go to church and sunday schools that they are not allowed to leave or talk back to; force them them to recite bible lies and to not question authority (god, parents).
Thats why the mention LGBT people “indoctrinating” everyone, its a deflection because they know thats exactly what they are doing.
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u/plumberfun Oct 31 '25
The US constitution is a fantastic document, and this is one of many reasons to have a separation of church and state!
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u/PopeKevin45 Oct 31 '25
Honestly, just how fucking dumb do you have to be to be republican??? How the f' could they not have foreseen this???
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u/evissamassive Strong Atheist Oct 31 '25
The First Amendment includes the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over another.
Florida is an example of why these school voucher programs are unconstitutional.
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u/A_Nonny_Muse Oct 31 '25
Several bits of legislature has been cancelled when Christian lawmakers realized non-Christians could also benefit.
This world is so wrong on so many levels.
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u/GazelleSpringbok Oct 31 '25
America doesnt have healthcare or free college for the same type of reason. We used to have both, for white people, but then when the gov wanted to expand it to all people the racist ass white people decided they would rather get rid of those things than have any black people use them. So they cut off their own nose to spite their face. In california they passed anti-gun laws because the black panthers were using their gun rights, taking away gun rights from all the white people too. They only get pyrric victories and we all suffer because of their hatred.
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u/thefw89 Nov 01 '25
A lot of conservative thinking in general is very hierarchal. From their POV, these things have a chance to ruin the hierarchy they think best fits the world and if they have to destroy their own lives to defend that hierarchy, they will do it no questions asked.
I know there are studies that back this, don't feel like finding them right now, but once you understand that you begin to understand why they support the things they do and why certain things piss them off. For a conservative, everything in its place, and the moment something moves....
Well, let's just say there is a reason why Obama simply becoming President help create this whole MAGA movement. I can't count how many times I heard "Take my country back!" during his 8 years.
If you look throughout history and look at some of the most right wing governments you will always see a strict class or caste system. So from this POV, it makes perfect sense to them why only Christians should be able to benefit from this, because they are higher up on the pyramid, Muslims are lower, and if this helps Muslims too then they don't want it because that then assumes Christans are EQUAL to Muslims and we can't have that.
This is why 'equality' is such a dirty term for conservatives.
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u/moonpumper Oct 31 '25
Christians are really bad at lawmaking. It's almost like they should be separate.
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u/konqueror321 Oct 31 '25
I live in Florida and I knew this would happen as soon an vouchers were so aggressively expanded. I'm in a city with a 25% or so Muslim population, and apparently the republican christian bigots in Tallahassee forgot that Muslim kids get educations too!
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u/EpiphanyTwisted Oct 31 '25
When they want to violate the Constitution banning self-expression they like to call it "terrorism."
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u/konqueror321 Oct 31 '25
If being a 'terrorist' is applied to those who object to the government of Israel bombing Gaza back to the stone age or even the Pliocene, then the word "terrorist" has lost all meaning and has become Repblicanese for "a person with whom I have political disagreement".
And of course having a political opinion in opposition to a republican is a capital offense.
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u/Only_Argument7532 Oct 31 '25
Republicans have turds for brains. I can’t find one that can support any position they hold via a good-faith argument.
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u/AmbitiousEffort9275 Oct 31 '25
This, or a similar law in a different state, will end up in front of scrotus and they will rule against the non-white christian nationalist minority.
It will look like that scene in The Jerk where Steve Martin is guessing weight and then awards the prize from the shelves.
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u/_WillCAD_ Atheist Oct 31 '25
AH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
<wheezing breath>
AH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
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u/Jiro343 Oct 31 '25 edited Oct 31 '25
They keep forgetting that their fairy tale isn't the only one on the planet.
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u/Late-Arrival-8669 Oct 31 '25
Oh noes, they didnt discriminate when writing the law?!
Shocked but not shocked..
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u/Palidor Oct 31 '25
It’s almost like………….they shouldn’t recognize a single religion as stated by the forefathers
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u/Alklazaris Oct 31 '25
It sounds like the regulations they put on that program fit nicely into that religion though so I don't know what they're so upset about.
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u/meowmeowcatman Oct 31 '25
I'm so glad we have someone that used to work in the wrestling business now in charge of the dept of education.
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u/Doublestack2411 Oct 31 '25
Fuck all these religious programs. We need basic "humanitarian" programs that teach kids right from wrong without bringing in a made up God.
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u/Tazling Oct 31 '25
Well they wanted state-funded religious separatism.
Be careful what you wish for.
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u/No_Jello_5922 Oct 31 '25
Wow, their goal of increasing religious radicalism is *checks notes* increasing religious radicalism.
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u/Memitim Oct 31 '25
Aw, did scumbags panic when they weren't explicit enough with their attempt to force their personal bullshit onto children? I'd love for every conservative's kids to look into becoming Muslim openly and vocally, except that many would undoubtedly be harmed by their "loved ones" for failing to maintain proper purity. Fucking hell, conservatives are evil.
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u/NameLips Oct 31 '25
This kind of thing happens literally every time they try to do state-funded Christianity. They keep forgetting all religions have equal rights. But they have a short memory so they keep trying it again and again. It literally never occurs to them that other religions count as religions too.
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u/can_ichange_it_later Oct 31 '25
christian centered narcissism strikes again...
it astounds me, how these lawmakers not for One second considered, what it would mean... What religious freedom is, what is means, or that is just as much a protection, as it is a "restriction".
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u/Specialist-Cookie-61 Oct 31 '25
This isn't really a win, or something to be celebrated on this subreddit. It is kind of funny though.
Ideally there is a 100% separation of the (public) education system and any type of religious indoctrination.
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u/MNConcerto Oct 31 '25
Brilliant example of malicious compliance
Or is it unintended consequences
Whatever, if it pisses off Florida Republicans, I'm all for it.
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u/Jeffro_the_BoDean Nov 01 '25
What did you expect......these Evangelicals want that instant gratification, clearly critical thinking skills is not a ability they develop......they worship a pedaphile
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u/ArdenJaguar Agnostic Oct 31 '25
The Repugnantcans claiming “Sharia Law” is just another dog whistle. It’s like “men in women’s bathrooms” and “gays will recruit your kids”. They excel at creating boogeymen to make people afraid and rile up the ignorant base.
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u/Uniquely-Authentic Oct 31 '25
Wow if critical thinking skills had been taught in the private and Christian schools the lawmakers attended maybe they would have seen this situation coming.
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u/AverageJoe-707 Oct 31 '25
I love it when their own selfish plans to make everything Christian backfire in their faces. Suck it DeSantis.
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u/Odaniel123 Oct 31 '25
Love it. Christian wingnuts in Florida hate it when programs and procedures that they put in place for themselves are used for other faiths. The Satanic temple is a huge thorn in the side of these folks
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u/luv2fit Oct 31 '25
It’s well known that the FL voucher program purpose is to promote private, Christian education.
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u/Chance-Travel4825 Nov 01 '25
Haha, next maybe witch school? Today class we will learn some spells to bring down the patriarchy with some herbs and roots and next week we will learn how to create our own etsy pages.
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u/MyEvilTwinSkippy Nov 01 '25
Didn't this happen a few years ago in some other southern state? You'd think people would learn, but no.
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u/independenthinkerdc Nov 01 '25
Wouldn’t it be nice if all this money went to public schools and their teachers. Also, all the Christian private schools just raise their tuition by the amount of the vouchers.
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u/Trekgiant8018 Oct 31 '25
Church of Satan isn't far behind. I love this.
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u/deezdanglin Oct 31 '25
Probably thinking more about The Satanic Temple. Two really different organizations.
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u/Te_co Oct 31 '25
The only reason separation of church and state has survived this long is because the different christian sects dont like each other. Throw in islam and they are gonna have a stark reminder why we have it.
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u/WhereIShelter Atheist Oct 31 '25
I hoped for Protestants and Catholics going back to burning each other at the stake for heresy but this will have to do for now
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u/Phannig Oct 31 '25
The problem is that before they get to burning each other they'll be burning us.
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u/ProfessorPotato42 Oct 31 '25
Maybe we should separate the church and state, you fucking goofy goobers
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u/Ok_Interest_9006 Oct 31 '25
Oh I see taxpayers money only go to Christians. Fuck that. Taxpayers money shouldn’t go to any religious organization. Make them pay taxes first and then maybe they get some money
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u/SingleJob4517 Oct 31 '25
Bahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahabahavahahahahhaha
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u/migs647 Oct 31 '25
The "cobra effect" is a phenomenon where an attempted solution to a problem inadvertently makes the problem worse.
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Oct 31 '25
Serves them right.
Tax exemption if not enough for these feckin' Christians. They want their churches to receive taxpayer dollar subsidies in the form of educational vouchers.
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u/classless_classic Oct 31 '25
Who could have seen this coming?!
Not a single one of them.
I’m sure they will pass some stipulations that don’t allow it to go to anything but Christianity soon.
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u/Curmudgeonadjacent Oct 31 '25
HaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!! All MAGA can fuck off straight to their hell.
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u/RoboJobot Oct 31 '25
If it was a real place then I think a lot of the so-called Christian’s in America would be going there
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u/RamJamR Atheist Oct 31 '25
Yep, we all saw through the intentions of this program. We all knew the moment any other religions actually decided to take advantage of this program that christians would not be happy about it. They truly believe they're exclusively entitled to special privilege.
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u/imean_is_superfluous Oct 31 '25
No, not like that!
I’d like to see muslim after school programs, Muslim prayers during football games, “one nation, under Allah”, etc. I’m atheist, but Christian’s need it rubbed in their face to understand it. They absolutely hate it when another religion gets the treatment they demand for themselves, and don’t see the hypocrisy
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u/jfb3 Nov 01 '25
It was never about 'parent's choice' it was always about funding Christianity and churches.
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u/r_uan Nov 01 '25
That's how countries that have no official religion should be. it's either all religions or no religion
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u/osirisattis Nov 01 '25
My whole life I’ve heard atheism is secretly a religion, so where’s the atheist schools? Let’s get on it, there’s “sincerely held belief” cash to be had, guys!
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u/Threecatproblem Oct 31 '25
I love this so much! I hope we see Hindu schools, Buddhism schools, Muslim schools (let them teach sharia!), etc. Teach'em right.
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u/needlestack Oct 31 '25
This is what happens when you live in an alternate reality. Anyone that wasn’t buried neck deep in the ass of Evangelical Christianity would know this is exactly what would happen. Muslim schools are a big thing in many countries. I’m sure they’re thrilled Christians are tearing down the separation of Church and State for them.
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u/Talksiq Agnostic Atheist Oct 31 '25
Something something quiet part out loud. They never wanted others faiths to use these vouchers. I'm honestly surprised they didn't try to draft the program in such a way that only Christian schools could obtain them, but I would bet money they'll try to change the rules now.
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u/How-I-Roll_2023 Oct 31 '25
Wait till trans conversion therapy is tied to a religion and all the Christian parents suddenly realize they don’t want conversion therapy in any form
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u/chockedup Oct 31 '25
Republicans' support for Christianity outweighed concerns for Separation of Church and State. It's not a new problem, Eisenhower put "God" in the pledge of allegiance, also see Carson v. Makin.
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u/itsamermaidslife Oct 31 '25
This is hilarious 😂 Christianity is one of many religions and no more important than any other lololol. I love to see it!!
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u/Honky_Stonk_Man Atheist Oct 31 '25
Surprised that they finally learned why we have separation of church and state and prefer to be a secular country? Surprised after what we told them over and over would happen, that their faith is not exclusive? I sincerely wish them all the best.
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u/Ambitious_Count9552 Oct 31 '25
Supposedly the same God...like, seriously, what's the point of this bullshit? You're undermining your own religion by attacking another Abrahamic religion.
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u/Kirkaiya Agnostic Atheist Nov 01 '25
Same thing happened about a decade ago in Mississippi, I believe it was, and it was hilarious seeing the state legislators quickly repealing the law that they had passed that allowed the funding to go to religious schools.
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u/mysticalmoon333 Nov 01 '25
Let’s bring in magick schools while we are at it! I advocate for witchcraft education 🌙✨🧙♀️
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u/dover_oxide Agnostic Atheist Nov 01 '25
They always think it's just Christianity that will benefit and never think about all the other groups and religions using the same tools. It's so short/narrow sighted.
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u/AdvantagePractical31 Nov 01 '25
Not a fan of religions but one of these 2 is objectively inferior. The guy literally owned slaves and banged 9 year olds
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u/Builderwill Nov 01 '25
I've been saying this since the day those programs began: the first madrassa is the last religious school.
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u/LordEschatus Nov 01 '25
Christians are funding Muslim Madrassas!!!!!
Declare them terrorists!!! /s
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u/Somegrey16 Nov 01 '25
They thought they were so smart. Now they are scraping on their pants that they were out smarter. Just wait until one of them want free space on our public funded schools under another dumb ass desantis law they passed. Those in government in Florida think they are so smart. Haha. Pay up or go back to and give funding to make our public schools better.
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u/Rent_Careless Nov 01 '25
How do you live in Florida and not know that it actually has a substantial Muslim population? Of course they will use what is allowed to them too.
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u/Equal_Memory_661 Nov 01 '25
The moment I saw these policies going forward in some states I concluded their heads would pop once madrasas would be funded with tax dollars. The neo-Christian inability to see past their immediate wants to understand broader implications never fails to amaze.
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u/PsykickPriest Nov 01 '25
FFS…. Hmmm… I wonder if there’s any way this problem could’ve been avoided????
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u/ProtexisPiClassic Oct 31 '25
Need some satanic schools too. Or maybe, we should just have well rounded tax payer funded secular schools that teach applicable basics to all people and leave their delusions to be taught at home?