Another really important point that is being missed has to do with the Supreme Court's recent ruling that religious schools do not need to adhere to ADA regulations. Combined with the recent national push for more charter school education, this paints a very frightening picture for the future of childhood education.

The extreme religious right has been open and blunt that they are using this as a means to bring the country closer to a theocracy, their ideal form of government. As it becomes more difficult to indoctrinate well-educated, critical thinking and skeptical individuals as they progress into adulthood, it is necessary to get them while they're young.

In many ways, I see a direct parallel between the Madrasa school systems in many middle eastern countries, and the rise in private Christian charter schools in this country. Both serve the ends of the extreme religious right of their respective countries, and both undermine the very foundation of a free society.

While I don't think we have regressed as far as many other countries, if this system goes unchecked, it would only take a few generations before a growing horde of brainwashed religious zealots demand a theocratic government for all. Far fetched? It's already happened in many countries, and it would be our folly to believe "It could never happen here."