Peter Jones, "Public money shouldn't fund religious schools", Sudbury Star, July 31, 2007.
 
Reprinted with the permission of the author.
 
Letter of the day
 
Public money shouldn't fund religious schools
 
Re: Tory promises to study religious school funding - July 24.
 
Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory's proposal to consider fully funding faith-based schools, although well meaning, is ill-conceived and preposterous. Faith-based schools may intend to instill religious values, but would result in religious ghettos and a more fragmented society. Segregation is not how one learns about members of other faith groups. Interaction on a daily basis leads to tolerance and understanding.
 
Not only should faith-based schools not be funded, but funding for the present Catholic system should be removed. We need complete separation of church and state.
 
Because the separate school system is closely associated with the Catholic Church, it is reasonable to believe our tax dollars are being used to instruct a third of students in Ontario that they are superior to all others.
 
Ontario is religiously neutral. This is an immoral use of public funds.
 
Under the guise of religious instruction, the Catholic system discriminates against women and homosexuals and condemns the use of condoms. Is this how you want you tax dollars spent?
 
It's time to do away with the constitutional relic that allows the Catholic system in Ontario to exist. The present government's continued support for religious discrimination and segregation, and Tory's proposal that this injustice be extended, are abhorrent.
 
The only fiscally responsible and moral solution is a single, secular school system with no special privilege for any group.
 
Peter Jones
Brantford
 

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