religion in public schools
Hey, muffins:
I'm quite proud of myself (as usual). I had a letter published to yet another editor of yet another local rag. I might have already posted this, in which case, please forgive me.
Love,
Ian
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Appreciating other
beliefs
I read Sheryl Rooth's column (Nov. 2 issue) regarding
religion and the schools, with considerable dismay. Let me explain.
I am Jewish, and grew up in New Zealand. My wife is Jewish, and grew up in
Michigan. Our children are Jewish, and grew up in Manitoba
and Saskatchewan.
In the public school systems three of us were forced to recite the Lord's
Prayer in school, to our great discomfort as it is a Christian prayer and we
are not Christian. The other two were under constant pressure in terms of
Christmas carols and such like.
When our oldest daughter objected, and asked us to go to the
school board, we were ridiculed. The principal, who was Jewish, laughed at us.
Our youngest daughter was put in four Christmas choirs.
When we objected, the principal told us that we could
“celebrate our own Christmas traditions in the school." He could not
conceive that there were non-Christians in Regina. Imagine how Ms. Rooth would
feel if her children had to fast for a month, because it was Ramadan, even
though they might not be Muslim.
Our son's school had a dozen Jewish students out of 1,300. Under the
Schools Act of 1909, apparently, any group can have a religious service in
schools, provided all groups were given an equal opportunity. Our son and his
friends then approached the school, and asked to conduct a Jewish morning
service (which takes 25 minutes) for the students. They were followed by First
Nations people, Muslims, Hindus - until the principal found it prudent not to have
any religious services.
Our Constitution says that “Canada is founded upon principles that recognize
the supremacy of God and the rule of law." These two principles can be in
conflict.
On the one hand, we recognize that God, in God's many names
and manifestations, is a part of the belief systems of most of those with a
religion. On the other hand, those without a belief in God, such as atheists
and Buddhists, must have protection, too. That is where the "rule of
law" comes in.
The Supreme Court looked at Section 15(1) of the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms, which says that “every individual is equal before and under the law
and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without
discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on . . .
religion . . ." (among other categories). For this reason they ruled that
religious instruction in public schools is discriminatory.
One has the choice of the (free) Roman Catholic school
system, or the many religious day schools in our province, if one wishes
religious instruction.
In addition, some schools in the Thames Valley District School
Board are teaching a Grade 11 course entitled World Religions and
developed by a teacher at Central High School.
The board says, “This course enables students to discover
what others believe and how they live, and to appreciate their own unique
heritage. Students will learn about the teachings and traditions of a variety
of religions, the connections between religion and the development of civilizations,
the place and function of religion in human experience, and the influence of a
broad range of religions on contemporary society. This course also introduces
students to skills used in researching and investigating world religions."
This course, if successful, should deal with many of your
concerns, and mine. We must also respect the right of those who believe in no
religion or spirituality, to follow their beliefs.
Ian Silver, London
< Previous Page
Next Page >
See the current edition of The Londoner
for more stories
Please let me know how you feel about this, ok?
I'm quite proud of myself (as usual). I had a letter published to yet another editor of yet another local rag. I might have already posted this, in which case, please forgive me.
Love,
Ian
News
Sports/Fitness
Entertainment
City Living
Letters
HOME
Opinion
Events
Advertising
About Us
Contact
Us
READER LETTERS : CURRENT
READER LETTERS
Current
Submit A Letter
Our Letter Policy
Appreciating other
beliefs
I read Sheryl Rooth's column (Nov. 2 issue) regarding
religion and the schools, with considerable dismay. Let me explain.
I am Jewish, and grew up in New Zealand. My wife is Jewish, and grew up in
Michigan. Our children are Jewish, and grew up in Manitoba
and Saskatchewan.
In the public school systems three of us were forced to recite the Lord's
Prayer in school, to our great discomfort as it is a Christian prayer and we
are not Christian. The other two were under constant pressure in terms of
Christmas carols and such like.
When our oldest daughter objected, and asked us to go to the
school board, we were ridiculed. The principal, who was Jewish, laughed at us.
Our youngest daughter was put in four Christmas choirs.
When we objected, the principal told us that we could
“celebrate our own Christmas traditions in the school." He could not
conceive that there were non-Christians in Regina. Imagine how Ms. Rooth would
feel if her children had to fast for a month, because it was Ramadan, even
though they might not be Muslim.
Our son's school had a dozen Jewish students out of 1,300. Under the
Schools Act of 1909, apparently, any group can have a religious service in
schools, provided all groups were given an equal opportunity. Our son and his
friends then approached the school, and asked to conduct a Jewish morning
service (which takes 25 minutes) for the students. They were followed by First
Nations people, Muslims, Hindus - until the principal found it prudent not to have
any religious services.
Our Constitution says that “Canada is founded upon principles that recognize
the supremacy of God and the rule of law." These two principles can be in
conflict.
On the one hand, we recognize that God, in God's many names
and manifestations, is a part of the belief systems of most of those with a
religion. On the other hand, those without a belief in God, such as atheists
and Buddhists, must have protection, too. That is where the "rule of
law" comes in.
The Supreme Court looked at Section 15(1) of the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms, which says that “every individual is equal before and under the law
and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without
discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on . . .
religion . . ." (among other categories). For this reason they ruled that
religious instruction in public schools is discriminatory.
One has the choice of the (free) Roman Catholic school
system, or the many religious day schools in our province, if one wishes
religious instruction.
In addition, some schools in the Thames Valley District School
Board are teaching a Grade 11 course entitled World Religions and
developed by a teacher at Central High School.
The board says, “This course enables students to discover
what others believe and how they live, and to appreciate their own unique
heritage. Students will learn about the teachings and traditions of a variety
of religions, the connections between religion and the development of civilizations,
the place and function of religion in human experience, and the influence of a
broad range of religions on contemporary society. This course also introduces
students to skills used in researching and investigating world religions."
This course, if successful, should deal with many of your
concerns, and mine. We must also respect the right of those who believe in no
religion or spirituality, to follow their beliefs.
Ian Silver, London
< Previous Page
Next Page >
See the current edition of The Londoner
for more stories
Please let me know how you feel about this, ok?