church and state separation has always been important to allow citizens to practice any religion or no religion at all if that's the case, and do their work without imposing their religion. Teachers, politicians and any authority figure should be able to work and, in the case of politicians, present a debate that's not solely based on a religion while keeping in mind that it affects people from other religions or beliefs that don't necessarily agree with what the person said. There was a controversial case in Alabama about a bill that allowed a church to have its own police department and it was described as an "affront to the Constitution itself."
Also, Donald Trump recently said he will destroy the limits on political activity by churches through the Johnson Amendment, which could result in the collapse of the concept of church and state separation.
But the United Sates is not the only country removing the limits, Puerto Rico is also walking down this line.
Senate approves PS 255
In the Senate's meeting, there were 10 projects to be considered: PS63, PS255, PS265, PS371, PS418, RCS14, RS79, RS80, RS155 and RS165. The project PS255 was approved orally. This project establishes the creation of church-schools. It exempts them from paying contributions and eliminates law 82-1995. It also frees them from regulations by the Council of Education by allowing the Council of Education to emit certifications without licenses. Its purpose is to guarantee the freedom of religion and the fundamental right of the parents to educate their children in these schools in accordance with their preferences, beliefs, and values.
This is a way of guaranteeing the constitutional right of freedom of association, and other related purposes.
Debates in the Senate's meeting
- Abel Nazario defended the approbation of this law that frees the church-schools from any regulation coming from the Council of Education.
- Juan Dalmau questioned how the certifications of the Council of Education would affect the freedom of religion. He also warns that this law would allow Church-Schools be satanic or that it is accepted to sacrifice animals. Dalmau then announces that he will be voting against this law.
- Miguel A. Pereira also questioned the effect this law would have on the economy as the law exempts them from paying contributions and some licenses. He then later voted against this law.
