Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, May 22: In a closely watched case on the separation of church and state, the US Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a 4-4 deadlock, halting Oklahoma's plan to launch the nation's first religious public charter school.

The stalemate means the Oklahoma Supreme Court's earlier ruling remains in effect, blocking the proposed St Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School on grounds that it violates both federal and state constitutional provisions. The online school, backed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the diocese of Tulsa, aimed to promote the Catholic faith while operating under a publicly funded charter model.

With Justice Amy Coney Barrett recusing herself likely due to her affiliation with Notre Dame Law School, whose religious liberty clinic represents the school the Supreme Court did not reach a majority decision or issue a full opinion. The ruling thus sets no national precedent on the contentious issue of taxpayer funding for religious charter schools.

The case exposed internal divisions among conservatives. While most right-leaning justices showed support for the school during oral arguments, at least one, likely Chief Justice John Roberts, sided with the liberal bloc citing deeper state involvement in this case.

Oklahoma Attorney general Gentner Drummond, who had opposed the school’s approval and initiated legal action, hailed the court's move as a “resounding victory for religious liberty,” stating it would prevent public funding from supporting religious institutions, including ‘radical Islamic schools.’

Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, also welcomed the outcome, emphasizing the need to protect public education from religious entanglement.

However, governor Kevin Stitt expressed disappointment, calling it a ‘non-decision’ and vowing to continue advocating for parental rights and religious inclusion in education.

The case spotlighted the ongoing constitutional tension between the First Amendment's Establishment Clause which bars state endorsement of religion and the free exercise clause, which prohibits discrimination based on religion.

Legal experts suggest that while this ruling ends the Oklahoma school’s immediate prospects, the broader debate over religious participation in state-funded programs is far from over.

Another case from Maine involving tuition assistance for religious schools may soon give the court another opportunity to revisit the issue.