Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Child-Benefit Theory: A Method Of Circumventing The Wall Of Separation Doctrine, Thomas L. Pahl

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

This paper examines two concepts in American constitutional history: the child-benefit theory and the doctrine of separation of church and state. Both concepts concern the position of the private school in American society. Neither expression is found in the original Constitution nor in any of its twenty-three amendments. Nowhere in that august document are found the following words: schools, educations, federal aid, compulsory education, textbooks, transportation, etc. Thus the present controversy concerning education bas been caused by an omission, intended or otherwise, on the part of the framers of the Constitution and has been developed due to judicial interpretation. Here, …