Paige Ripped

Christian colleges and public colleges each “have real strong points, and some of them have vulnerabilities,” Education Secretary Rod Paige told Baptist Press in early April. “But you know, all things being equal, I’d prefer to have a child in a school where there’s a strong appreciation for values, the kinds of values that I think are associated with the Christian communities, so that this child can be brought up in an environment that teaches them to have strong faith, and to understand that there is a force greater than them personally.” The remarks (and Baptist Press’s original report, which suggested that he was talking instead about elementary and secondary schools) sent some calling for Paige’s resignation. “This is the Taliban approach to education,” said U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.). “Tolerate no others because they are ‘heathens.’ ” Paige later said the views were personal and have “no connection to how I perform my duties,” but he stood by the remarks.

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

Why is Gracia Alone? Martin Burnham's widow says the proper ransom could have saved her husband. The missions community is not so sure.

Cover Story

Did Martin Die Needlessly?

The Book on Tape (Not Tapes)

A Taste for Blood and Grace

A Bubbly Invitation

Beyond Condoms

Forced by Logic

No Strings Attached

Masters of Philosophy

New Leader at Focus

"Lutherans, Presbyterians Cut Budgets"

No Religion-Based Zoning

Quotation Marks

Youth in a Haze

Cross Purposes

"Jazz, Jesus, and Liberation"

Put Yourself in Jesus Shoes

Damping the Fuse in Iraq

Songs from the Soul

Criminal Faith

Faith-based Bathing

Roe vs. Judicial Sense

Christ via Judaism

Rabbit Trails to God

Navigating Life Storms

Going It Alone

Breakthrough Dancing

Hit by the SARS Tornado

Inside CT : Dogging the Story

News

Go Figure

2003 Christianity Today Book Awards

Faith-Based Lite

NAE Rights Its Ship

Time for Assertive Evangelicalism

'Boston Movement' Apologizes

Fending off Hindutva

Protestants Face Police Crackdown

Threatened Aid Groups Retreat

SARS Comes to Church

Peace Process Criticized

News

Go Figure

Letters

Jesus' Sins?

Quotation Marks

Mystery Illnesses

Vanity Watch

The Mother of All Liberties

Walk Humbly

Connecting Colson's Dots

Harleys in Heaven

Survival Through Community

Rites of Passage

View issue

Our Latest

News

Space Force Hymn Lifts Prayer to the Heavens

Southern Baptist chaplain says God prompted him to write song for the newest branch of the US military. 

Beijing, Let My Daughter Come Home

Power Without Integrity Destroys Us

Evangelicals helped elect Trump. Can evangelicals also hold him accountable?

The Bulletin

Sultan of Swing

The Bulletin addresses the election of Donald Trump.

What Another Trump Presidency Means To Evangelicals Around the World

Christian leaders from Nepal to Turkey greet the US election results with joy, grief, and indifference.

Our Faith’s Future Depends on Discipleship

The Lausanne Movement’s State of the Great Commission report details where and how Christianity is growing. 

News

Trump’s Promised Mass Deportations Put Immigrant Churches on Edge

Some of the president-elect’s proposals seem unlikely, but he has threatened to remove millions of both undocumented and legal immigrants.

God Is Faithful in Triumph and Despair

I voted for Kamala Harris and mourn her loss. But I want to keep politics in its proper place, subordinate to Jesus.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube