Media Release - September 10, 2007

     The Humanist Canada is deeply troubled by recent pre-election promises made by Ontario Conservative Party leader John Tory. Mr. Tory would extend funding to many more religious schools than just Catholic ones.

     Mr Tory also appears to be quite happy that religious schools will teach creationism alongside Darwinian evolution. He apparently forgot about the biblical injunction against trying to serve two masters.

     Mr. Tory also forgot that religious notions do not constitute theories in the scientific sense. Creationism is not a theory; it is an item of religious dogma invented long before the present scientific era. Scientific theories do not exist in isolation; they mesh with other scientific theories. They constitute a framework that gives the scientific viewpoint a meaning and coherence that religious notions generally lack.

     Mr. Tory doesn't seem bothered that the public education system is already hurting because of inadequate funding. Nor that the dual education system we already have ensures that Ontario's kids get two different kinds of education. What will happen if the system is fragmented still further?

     Religion is essentially a private matter. The inculcation of religious principles and values is the responsibility of parents and their respective religious authorities. It should not be paid for from public taxes.

     We understand that some Catholic schools teach world religions in addition to the standard curriculum and specific Catholic instruction. This seems to us an excellent idea, providing it teaches the whole spectrum of belief: polytheism, monotheism, and a-theism. It would help students immeasurably to understand why other people think and believe as they do. We recommend most strongly that world religions be made part of the curriculum.

     Mr. Tory should take a page from the current premier who, when faced with the possibility of Sharia law becoming part of civil arbitration, a policy enjoyed by Catholics and Jews, decided no religion should be part of the law. One secular law for all and one publicly funded school system, that is what Humanist Canada sees as the only guarantee of fairness and equality for all.

Pat O'Brien, President
Humanist Association of Canada