OUR VIEW: Herbert pulls the religion card

It was certainly not Utah Gov. Gary Herbert's finest moment in this year's campaign for Utah governor.

Last week Herbert criticized Democratic challenger Peter Corroon's proposal for Utah high schoolers to complete 20 core credits, instead of 18, with the dubious logic that the Salt Lake County mayor's plan would likely lead to the elimination of LDS religious seminary classes. Many LDS school kids take advantage of a free class period in Utah schools by taking a church seminary class in nearby locations.

Sigh. Come off it, governor. Providing more courses in math and science so Utah students are better prepared for college will not be a death knell for seminary instruction. Any student who wishes to attend LDS seminary will not be deprived of that desire if he or she really wants to attend.

In our opinion, Governor Herbert pulled the religion card on this issue. Through his rhetoric, he managed to get out the oh-so-subtle insinuation that he, Herbert, is the Mormon in this race, while Corroon is the Catholic.

It was a snide reference in a campaign that has until recently -- for the most part -- been conducted in a mature manner. We hope Gov. Herbert has second thoughts about throwing this "seminary card" from the playing deck, and refrains from trying to maliciously worry a large segment of Utah's parents.

Besides, there are many issues to discuss within education. Utah is last in per-pupil spending in the nation, but is not last in per-pupil performance, fortunately. The bad economy has reduced education spending in our state, but there were increases during the previous Huntsman administration. Utah schools may also get relief from a recent bill passed by Congress.

And as we have mentioned, it is very important that high school students receive the education necessary to succeed in college. The amount of education one logs will be critical to success in this new century, which offers tremendous technological advantages, but also economic-based challenges.