Open Debate - Faith Based Schools?

Question

In Ontario, there is going to be an election on October 10th for premier. One of the candidates, Progressive Conservative John Tory says that once elected he will allow funding to all religious schools because he thinks it isn't fair that only Catholic schools get funding. I think that no religious school should get funding because it causes segregation among students and also we (residents) shouldn't have to pay for other people's choice to go to a religious school. Now I want to hear your opinion. Do you think that the funding of religious schools is a good idea?

Note - Please refrain from voting yourself as the best answer because this a debate, not a question/answer thing. Thanks.

I have noticed some of you are thinking that Canada funds Catholic schools. The truth is they don't, only Ontario does this.

I am glad to see how passionate some of you are regarding this matter. I understand Mr. Tory has back tracked and decided if elected, the issue would be put to a vote. I am still against the funding of religious schools but I must say that Mr. Tory, who promised to stand by his decision decided to change his beliefs for the public like a coward. By doing this, he took the only interesting matter away from us so I definitely won't be tuning in to see who won the elections.

Answer 1

I agree with you
:))))

Answer 2

Yes and no, and sort of.

A couple of notes:
Segregation exists within public schools, as well. It might not be advocated by teachers and boards, but gang activities, discrimination, abuse of fellow students because of their Muslim or Christian faith, stabbings, bullying, etc. all happen in public schools, despite the fact that this is supposedly the better way. If we think about safely issues for children, if children face less bullying because of their faith in a faith-based setting, then why isn't the government advocating for this? Having religions together can create contentions that children and teenagers are ill-equipped to deal with. The public school curriculum does little to show acceptance of other people's faith as a critical part of cultural understanding and diversity.

However, I think that a system that expects everyone in every school in every part of the province to learn exactly the same stuff is weak. We live in a diverse province. We have diverse geographical locations, and diverse groups within each location. The richness of culture is learned by diversity, and stuffing all kids into a cookie-cutter "everyone learns the same thing" school deprives our culture of that richness. To develop the culture of this province, government should embrace the faith-based schools. However, funding them 100% may not be the best idea.

You mentionned that only Ontario supports Catholic schools in Canada. This is not the case. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec all support faith-based schools in some way, both Catholic and otherwise. BC has a very good formula for partially funding these schools, which works well for everyone, as the government can direct more money towards each student in the public system as so many students leave the public system to go to a faith-based school. Also, by partially funding, the argument could be made that the students are being treated fairly and equally in things like reading, math, and phys.ed., while the parents are still funding the religious aspects of the education. I am stunned that no party in Ontario is looking at a sensible solution like this one.
EDIT: One of the answerers here asked: "Where will the money come from?" One of the problems our present parties face is that no one has looked at the implications of a partially funded school system. If a student that is receiving 100% funding now in a public school leaves for a school where they receive only 50% funding, the goverment saves on that child. Evidence shows that private school sizes could more than double if partial funding were provided. Do the math. It would save the government to fund faith-based schools, IF they went with partial funding. More money could be allocated to public schools, per student. This is why I am stunned that none of the parties has suggested this. END EDIT

To deprive a child of public funding simply because of their religion is criminal. We don't accept discrimination in other public sectors, why would we accept it here?

Answer 3

On Sept.23, 1988, the Ontario Court of Appeal struck down subsection 28(1) of the Regulation 262 concerning religious exercises in public and elementary schools.Reciting the Lord's Prayer was removed and a moment of silence took its place.This change was in accordance with Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms that the period of silence would replace reciting any religious passages or prayer.This decision did not have an impact on separate schools boards."The spirit of the decision of the Court of Appeals was that essentially that religion must not be given a position of primacy and that the content of opening and closing exercises must reflect the multicultural realities and traditions of Ontario society".Based on this , there should be no funding of faith based schools with the exception of the Catholic school boards.No student is denied attendance at any public school based on their religion, ethnicity,income etc.Those who do not attend public schools do so by the decision of their parents.I further believe that the funding for schools is so tight and with attendance in some areas declining and forcing school closures , the educational tax dollar cannot be divided to support special interest groups.John Tory has changed his position on this issue and now says if elected he would put the question of faith based funding up to a vote.He claimed he listened to the voters and altered his position in order to listen to public opinion.My question to him would be shouldn't you always be listening to and be responsive to those you are going to represent.Canada is a country which has a reputation for diversity and inclusion.I think that the Ontario Court of Appeal sent a strong message concerning religion in school.I don't recall the court makeing any exceptions except for the Catholic school board.This discision was based on the CAnadian Charter of Rights.No funding for faith based schools.Afterall we want to be known for being inclusion not hypocrites.

Answer 4

Okay, I see your point about not paying for them to go to religious schools.

However, they also have a point about paying twice for the same thing, as they are still paying for the government sponsored education they are not using.

If the quality of education is going to be measured by "cultural diversity", you are going to see precipitous declines in core subject scores. I'm not saying that to denigrate or elevate any specific group, I'm merely saying that if you have a list of two or more priorities, only one can be the top priority. In an educational setting, if that top priority is something other than education, education will suffer.

I think it's a very rational reaction to run away from an educational system that is paying attention to idiots that think cultural diversity is more important than science and math. I think they are fully justified in demanding that the tax dollars that are supposed to be spent on education follow them.

Answer 5

There is nothing wrong with parochial schools or faith based schools. Believing in something bigger an ourselves is what helped the US and other first world countries grow. GOD is a concept for those who have courage enough to take it. All others might even learn some thing from a good comparative religion class. Just remember you are stuck with that which you fear most.

Answer 6

Catholic schools are publicly funded up there? Wow. That wouldn't be so bad if all religious schools were funded, but that's besides the point, it shouldn't be funded at all. Then again, Canada still has ties to the archaic monarchy-church based system... I would support any politicians who support DEfunding of religious schools and focus on public or secular schools.

Answer 7

I'm Australian and I agree with you. Religion should be a private matter and confined to home and place of worship. For all we know we could be funding the study of a complete myth and what good is that going to do for the individual or more particularly the tax payer who is funding it? Also some of these religions lean more towards a money making business that any concern for spirituality. Keep it out of schools gets my vote.

Answer 8

Sure, I'm all for it. Faith based schools are wonderful.
Especially the Wiccan, Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian and Humanist schools!

Oh? You don't consider these faith-based?
Oh? I see.

You just consider the Christians to have a faith and "to hell" with everyone else?

Answer 9

Don't know.

BUT I do know this: If you ever talk to a young person that has attended a Faith Based School, you will be shocked.
YOU WILL WANT EVERY KID TO ATTEND A FAITH BASED SCHOOL.

They are such outstanding kids, it's amazing.
Oh well.......Democrats wouldn't like them.
They don't Hate everything like Democrats do.
You can't please everyone.

Answer 10

Dont you pay for everyones everything already up there - you pay for everyones unhealthy lifestyles.