( MCNS) -- Civil liberties groups called for U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige to apologize or resign for comments in an April 7 Baptist Press article. In it, Paige was quoted as telling the interviewer that he believes it is important for schools to teach Christian values.

"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," Paige said in an interview published Monday by the Baptist Press, the news service of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Paige, however, said at a hastily called press conference on April 9 that he has no reason to either apologize or resign. He said he had intended to convey only that he, personally, would rather have a child in a college that emphasizes strong Christian values.

"I understand completely and respect the separation of church and state," Paige said. "I have a record that will attest to this."

His aides then gave reporters a partial transcript of the March 7 telephone interview during which Paige was asked: "Given the choice between private and Christian, uh, or private and public universities, who do you think has the best deal?"

Paige responded: "That's a judgment, too, that would vary because each of them have real strong points and some of them have vulnerabilities, 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 kind of values that I think are associated with the Christian communities."

"I don't think I have anything to apologize for," Paige said. "What I am doing is clarifying my remarks. I think anybody who fairly reads those remarks or hears the clarification would agree with that, assuming they have no other agenda."

© 2003 Maranatha Christian News Service