Alright, patriots, settle in, because this one’s a real kick in the teeth. You work, you pray, you try to raise your kids right, and you believe in the foundational principles of this nation. You trust that the institutions designed to protect our liberties, especially our God-given rights, will stand firm. But sometimes, it feels like we’re shouting into the wind, doesn’t it? Like the very ground beneath our feet is constantly being chipped away by those who want to erase every last vestige of faith and tradition from American life.

It’s a relentless assault. Day in and day out, we see the push to silence voices of faith, to tell parents they have no say in their children’s upbringing, and to redefine what this country stands for. And just when you think there’s a bulwark, a line of defense that will hold, you get a stark reminder that the fight is far from over, and sometimes, the deepest wounds come from unexpected places.

And now, get this – the latest gut-punch comes from a place many of us look to as a last line of defense: the Supreme Court. That’s right. In a decision that should send shivers down the spine of every freedom-loving American, the High Court effectively slammed the door on Oklahoma’s attempt to allow a publicly funded religious charter school, the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.

A Devastating Tie Vote Silences a Catholic School

The plan was straightforward: offer families in Oklahoma a choice, an option for a virtual Catholic education supported by public charter funds, just like any other charter school. But a 4-4 split decision from the Supreme Court means a lower court’s ruling blocking the school remains in place. The one-page ruling didn’t even specify how each justice voted, but it did note that Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself. NBC News added that this was most likely due to her ties with a Notre Dame Law School clinic that advised the Catholic school.

A recusal is one thing. But a 4-4 split with a supposedly conservative-leaning court, even with one absence? That smells fishy, and it means the fight for religious educational options just got a whole lot harder. For the families in Oklahoma who hoped for this option, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

The Betrayal: Who Abandoned Conservative Principles on the High Court?

Here’s where it gets truly infuriating. With Justice Barrett out, the math should still have favored religious liberty. But The Post Millennial noted, “a conservative-leaning justice likely sided with the liberal-leaning justices.” And who might that be? NBC News didn’t mince words, suggesting that “At least one conservative is likely to have sided with the liberals, most likely Chief Justice John Roberts.”

John Roberts. Let that sink in. Appointed by a Republican, expected to uphold the Constitution, and yet, when religious freedom and parental rights were on the line, it seems he may have blinked, or worse, deliberately sided with the secular Left. During oral arguments, NBC reported Roberts pushed back, indicating he saw the school’s case as “a much more comprehensive involvement” by the state than previous religious liberty cases. Was this his justification for abandoning ship? It’s a betrayal that stings, a reminder that a title doesn’t always equate to conviction.

Oklahoma’s Republican Governor, Kevin Stitt, isn’t taking this lying down. He sees it for what it is – a temporary setback, not a final defeat.

From ‘The Post Millennial,’ quoting Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt:

“This 4-4 tie is a non-decision. Now we’re in overtime. There will be another case just like this one and Justice Barrett will break the tie. This is far from a settled issue. We are going to keep fighting for parents’ rights to instill their values in their children and against religious discrimination.”

“Religious Discrimination”: The Battle for America’s Soul Continues in Oklahoma

Governor Stitt hit the nail on the head: this is about “religious discrimination.” St. Isidore’s board expressed their disappointment, stating in The Post Millennial, “We are disappointed that the Oklahoma State Supreme Court’s decision was upheld in a 4-4 decision without explanation,” adding, “We remain firm in our commitment to offering an outstanding education… In light of this ruling, we are exploring other options.” Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City and Bishop David Konderla of Tulsa, quoted by NBC News, rightly added, “Families across the state of Oklahoma deserve the educational opportunities presented by St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.”

This case isn’t just about one school; it’s about the ongoing effort to interpret the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment so broadly that it completely suffocates the Free Exercise Clause. The argument that public funds can’t go to a religious charter school, even when parents choose it, is a perversion of constitutional intent. It’s using the Constitution to discriminate against religion, not protect it. Even Oklahoma’s own Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, a Republican who opposed the school, played into the Left’s hands. The Post Millennial reported his statement that the ruling “ensures that Oklahoma taxpayers will not be forced to fund radical Islamic schools,” a fear-mongering tactic that ultimately harms all religious expression.

The Usual Suspects Celebrate, But Patriots Won’t Be Cowed

Of course, the usual secularist groups are crowing. Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, told NBC News, “We will continue our efforts to protect inclusive public education.” “Inclusive,” in their dictionary, apparently means “exclusive of traditional faith.”

This “non-decision,” as Governor Stitt aptly called it, is a stark warning. The fight for religious freedom, for parental rights, and for the very soul of our educational system is far from over. It’s a reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent, and we must demand that those appointed to defend our liberties actually do so, without fear or favor to the shifting winds of political correctness. This battle was lost, perhaps due to a betrayal from within our own ranks on the Court, but the war for America’s future continues. And Patriots will not back down.

Key Takeaways:

• SCOTUS deadlock, likely via conservative betrayal, blocks Oklahoma’s religious charter school.
• Chief Justice Roberts suspected of siding with liberals, undermining religious freedom.
• Patriots vow to fight on for parental rights and faith-based education.

Sources: The Post Millennial, NBC News