Tempers flare over prayer in schools [Canada]

[Born_again]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/tempers-flare-over-prayer-schools-172419631.html

A rally held to recognize the Toronto District School Board for allowing rights and freedoms turned into a shouting match Saturday between religious groups.

About 200 people squared off outside the Toronto District School Board's head office, concerned about Muslim prayer in the city's public schools.

Groups including the Jewish Defence League of Canada, the Canadian Hindu Advocacy and the Christian Heritage Group, are upset that a middle school in the city's north end has provided Muslim students cafeteria space for a weekly prayer service, saying the board showed favouritism to Islam.

Chris Andrewsen who organized what was supposed to be a day of appreciation for the TDSB, said they should be allowed to express their beliefs.

"If we are religious people then we should be allowed to express that. It's not an imposition on other people," Andrewsen said.

But some opponents say allowing students to pray on school property goes against the school board's policy that schools should be a place of study free from cultural or religious influence. While others say the right should be left open to all groups.

"We want respect for all religions. We want the Toronto District School Board to be consistent and stop discriminating [against] one religion over others," said Tony Costa, who is part of a multi-faith coalition opposed to Islamic prayer services in public schools.

Despite the opposition, school board officials say they will continue to allow the prayer inside the school.

"Whenever you have an issue that has sides to it, you will have people that want to get their positions heard and I think part of our role is actually to listen to the diversity of opinion," said Shelley Laskin, a school trustee. "But I am very confident that the board is applying its religious accommodation policy appropriately."

Valley Park Middle School opened up cafeteria space for the Friday service three years ago after it noticed that Muslim students who left to attend midday services at a nearby mosque often failed to return to classes.

The prayer session is led by a local imam. The cost of the service, available for the more than 300 Muslim students at the school, is paid for by the Muslim community.

"I think that what we're doing is what we should be doing as a school board and that is accommodating students' needs no matter what their religion is," said Gerri Gershon, a Trustee for Don Valley West, where Valley Park Middle School is located.

[wthwyt]

All or none

just that simple.

[Mr. Personality]

There was a daily prayer circle on the front steps of my high school every day before classes.
It was Christian though, I guess that's why it wasn't a problem.

[Born_again]

All or none

just that simple.

Yes, this is exactly the kind of situation that I was warning my opponents about in the "High school Christian club banned" thread that could erupt. Of course, I was accused of ' persecuting', but they would do that, wouldn't they? These kids are being groomed for social segregation, à la Northern Ireland's Catholics and Protestants.
Well done parents!! If you want to introduce your little cherubs to the sanctity of hatred, then do it in the time-honoured fashion and take them to church/temple/synagogue/etc.. Keep it out of our public schools!!

[coffeeFreak]

Why can't they compromise and have a few moments of silence. Those who are religious can quietly pray, those who are not, can reflect or think about whatever they like. Why do believers and non-believers alike have to continually have *bleep* contests?!! Gives them all a bad name and does nothing in attracting anyone to consider their cause. Sheeshhhh!!!

[Born_again]

Why can't they compromise and have a few moments of silence. ....

"We want respect for all religions. We want the Toronto District School Board to be consistent and stop discriminating [against] one religion over others," said Tony Costa, who is part of a multi-faith coalition opposed to Islamic prayer services in public schools.

[grammafreddy]

Good freekin' geezuz!

Get the religion OUT of public schools and OUT of governments at all levels. It just doesn't belong there.

People who wish to have religious schools can send their kids to private ones designed for that purpose. Religious education should not come from the general taxpayers' dime.

Allowing one concession and not another is just asking for trouble - and here it is now in Toronto.

Allowing all of them creates chaos to class schedules and disruptions in lessons when some decide to leave for prescribed prayer times but others don't.

Cripes - the total stupidity and stubbornness of religions and religious adherents is just mind boggling.

[fluffy]

I too believe that the public school system should remain "neutral" territory. Everyone has the right to religious freedom in Canada, but in a situation where it gets cumbersome to allow that freedom to everyone who wants it, like within the school system, it's probably best if everyone finds another place.

[grammafreddy]

If they can't resolve this issue without segregating or giving preferential treatment, then one possible solution is to assess the cost of educating a school-age child and paying that money to the parent(s) rather than to the various school boards and districts. The schools would set their criteria and what they offer - with all of them having to adhere to the province's basic education requirements. The parents could then choose what they wanted and how they wanted their children taught and following what religious dogma or no religion at all. The parents would then pay that money to the school of their choice. The various boards and districts would receive their funding from the parents' stipend and teachers, aides and staff would be paid the same way. Homeschoolers would also get reduced funding (no school infrastructure to maintain) for their students with a portion being paid to the district and board to oversee the lot of them and a portion going to whatever school the parent wished to link their student to for additional social, lessons where specialized equipment is needed and physical/mental support.

It's a thought for discussion ..........

[forum]

Put the kids in uniforms and shave their heads. Back to square one people. Everyone is treated equally.

[SHOZDIJIJI]

This is stupid . How about we all respect each others beliefs .

[Born_again]

This is stupid . How about we all respect each others beliefs .

Is there any particular reason why we should automatically respect the beliefs of others? Do beliefs hold some kind of favoured or 'reverential' status for respect?

[Mr. Personality]

This is stupid . How about we all respect each others beliefs .

Is there any particular reason why we should automatically respect the beliefs of others? Do beliefs hold some kind of favoured or 'reverential' status for respect?

You don't have to agree with them, but you should respect them
That's just basic human decency.

[Corneliousrooster]

You don't have to agree with them, but you should respect them
That's just basic human decency.

How about existing in your society without asking for special treatment that is specifically required for your specific belief system? that sounds decent.....

[Tacklewasher]

This is stupid . How about we all respect each others beliefs .

Is there any particular reason why we should automatically respect the beliefs of others? Do beliefs hold some kind of favoured or 'reverential' status for respect?

You don't have to agree with them, but you should respect them

Why. And I'm serious.

That's just basic human decency.

I really don't follow that. How is respecting beliefs basic human dignity?