Fundies Band Together in Ontario

[tropaka]

Specifically, in the GTA - where a form letter is being submitted to a few schools by both conservative Christians and Musims asking that their children not be taught any sex ed, evolution, or environmental education that "deifies the earth":

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/educati ... ects-arise

A number of conservative Christian and Muslim parents — unusual political bedfellows — suddenly are asking schools across the GTA to notify them when their child’s class will discuss topics ranging from homosexuality and birth control to wizardry, evolution and “environmental worship,†so they can withhold their child from classes that contradict their religious beliefs.

They are giving schools the same five-page “Traditional Values Letter†used by a Greek Orthodox father who has sued the Hamilton school board for refusing to warn him when his children’s teachers plan to talk about family, marriage or human sexuality. Hamilton dentist Dr. Steve Tourloukis said Monday he only wants those issues taught to his Grade 1 daughter and Grade 4 son “from a Christian perspective.â€

“I’m not an extremist, but I must ensure that my children abstain from certain activities that may include lessons which promote views contrary to our faith,†said Tourloukis, who is supported by a group called the Parental Rights in Education Defense Fund. “We know other denominations like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Muslims are excused for certain activities. Does our being Christian disqualify us from equitable treatment?â€

Just days after Ontario’s new school anti-bullying law, Bill 13, took effect — promoting acceptance of all types of diversity — some parents of conservative Christian and Muslim backgrounds began presenting letters to public elementary schools in Toronto, Peel, York and Durham regions asking to be notified before their children’s class discusses a topic on a list the parent has checked off.

Word of the letters, while few in number, has set off alarms across a province-wide network of school equity officers. Its founder, Chris D’souza, warned that “any attack on Ontario’s move forward to an inclusive school system is a concern.â€

As well as being notified about lessons on sex education, sexual orientation and evolution, the form letter, available on some Christian and Muslim parent websites, also lets parents ask for a warning if a teacher plans to “place environmental concerns above the value of our Muslim (or Christian) principles and human life.â€

“We do agree with many of the goals of conservation, however these principles are often presented from a humanistic world view (for the benefit of man) or a naturalistic world view (deifying the earth) which is in conflict with our teachings,†notes the letter. “Conservation would be more successful for our children if connected to their understanding of being respectful of their Creator’s creation.â€

Government sources say Ontario parents can request their child be excused only from certain portions of sex education.

The letter was penned by PEACE (Public Education Advocates for Christian Equity) Hamilton, a Christian parent group led by Phil Lees, also head of Ontario’s Family Coalition Party. PEACE Hamilton is helping to raise an estimated $65,000 for Tourloukis’ lawsuit, said Lees, and has posted a blank copy of the Traditional Values Letter for parents to download from its website. Parents simply insert the name of their faith, into the same letter.

“If we’re really a public education system, we need to be pluralistic and embrace values that go beyond the humanistic approach of Ontario schools that’s based on the belief there is no spiritual being,†said Lees. The former teacher has visited several Muslim parent groups to offer tips on how to try to sidestep school equity policy, including the Seerah School group in Toronto’s largely Muslim Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood.

“Muslim parents are very serious about their children, and a majority of them want to live a pious life,†noted Seerah founder Jawed Anwar, who said he believes at least 100 parents have given the letter to schools. “Bill 13 is a punch in their face.â€

While school boards ponder how to respond, Ontario’s minister of education says the inclusive approach of Ontario’s school system is here to stay.

“These competing rights can be complex issues, but one reason educators from around the world study our system is because our schools are safe places for everyone,†Laurel Broten said.

“A little person can draw a picture of her two moms or two dads, for example, and feel safe and accepted. That’s what happens in classes across Ontario and that’s what should happen.â€

The letter, preamble and checklist (which includes "environmental worship":

http://www.peacehamilton.com/pdf/CT-Remain.pdf

[tropaka]

My response to Dr. Tourloukis and parents like him would be that a) this is a public education system and no religion should be setting curriculum; and b) religious schools do exist. If parents are concerned, they should be teaching their religious views at home/church/mosque or enrol their children in a private school.

[2xx1xy1JD]

Yes, when it comes to opposing tolerance, the Christian and Muslim fundies find a way to band together.

The Ontario government made it crystal clear during the Bill 13 debates that promoting tolerance for all, including LBGT youth, was absolutely non-negotiable.

School boards will excuse students from very specific things (like JW students who leave the room during the national anthem) and will also accommodate requests not to have student participate in Christmas or Halloween activities. These things are not part of the core curriculum.

It would be nearly impossible to accommodate the requests in these form letters. Tolerance for all forms of families doesn't just come up in sex ed. Environmental awareness and efforts are part of the overall school philosophy - you can't really exclude a child from litterless lunches, or remove blue boxes for recycling paper from a class. Public schools don't teach from any religious perspective, and the idea that they "deify" nature is certainly subjective, if not downright bizarre. I've never seen public school teachers leading prayer services toward trees.

I suspect that they know full well that no school board will accommodate them, and they will use the refusal to argue that the public schools are against them.

[Sinister Rouge]

I'm in Ontario, and I found this very unsettling. Those parents are doing their kids a huge disservice by not allowing them to learn the worldviews and perspectives of their society at large. They're actively stunting their children's development. What's wrong with your religious perspectives if they're so threatened by evolution and basic human rights that you have to control what your kids learn about them?

[ceg045]

Canadian classrooms teach wizardry?! What fun I was apparently missing in my boring American classroom. :x

[Curly Girl]

I'm in Ontario, and I found this very unsettling. Those parents are doing their kids a huge disservice by not allowing them to learn the worldviews and perspectives of their society at large. They're actively stunting their children's development. What's wrong with your religious perspectives if they're so threatened by evolution and basic human rights that you have to control what your kids learn about them?

I'm also in Ontario and I agree with you. I'm a Christian, but I believe that my faith is strong enough that it can handle questions. And I *want* my son to ask questions about our faith. I don't want him to be a Christian robot, I want him to be a thinking, articulate, knowledgeable young man.

[ILoveJellybeans]

That is just sad :( The children are missing out on so much

[fundyfunland]

What's wrong with your religious perspectives if they're so threatened by evolution and basic human rights that you have to control what your kids learn about them?

THIS!

My sister just enrolled my niece in kindergarten at the new french as a first language school in her town. It is under the French Catholic school board, because well, they're the only ones that support French (AFL) outside Toronto. She intends to have numerous discussions AT HOME with my niece throughout her education, challenging the Catholic indoctrination she'll get, but there was no way she'd limit her access to a french education, simply because she didn't agree with the Catholic teachings.

That's how you deal with the diverse education a kid gets in a public school! Pulling kids out of classes that teach topics that contradict one's religious teachings, will only lead to the kids being unable to back up their own beliefs when challenged.

[Maude]

I'm in Ontario, and I found this very unsettling. Those parents are doing their kids a huge disservice by not allowing them to learn the worldviews and perspectives of their society at large. They're actively stunting their children's development. What's wrong with your religious perspectives if they're so threatened by evolution and basic human rights that you have to control what your kids learn about them?

Agreed. Like Tropaka said, there are private schools for those so inclined.

[memmy]

here is another article on the same subject

he seems to believe that his childrens education should be tailored to his liking because afterall he does pay taxes and all

well guess what i pay taxes too... have no KIDS... and still have to pony up a gizillion $ for someone else's kids because "school" is half of my property taxes

who should i complain to?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/ontario-dad-wa ... tml?_esi=1

[browngrl]

This news sent a shiver down my spine. I guess fundies are everywhere - but I had hoped they wouldn't be in my backyard quite so soon.

[AcidMolybdate]

This is insane.

My sister teaches in the Peel board at a school with predominantly Muslim students.... I just e-mailed her to ask if she's received letters.

[B5SnowDog]

What's wrong with your religious perspectives if they're so threatened by evolution and basic human rights that you have to control what your kids learn about them?

I think it's because deep down they realize their beliefs won't hold up to actual scrutiny and therefore they don't want their children to be taught other viewpoints.