Catholic School Board Bans Gay/Straight Alliance Groups

[FreshHat]

The Halton Catholic District School Board oversees an area near Toronto. It is largely urban.

In the Province of Ontario, a taxpayer can designate their school taxes to support either the public school system, or the separate (Catholic) school system.

The board first stirred controversy by not allowing student formed gay/straight alliance groups within their schools. The reasoning behind such groups was to foster understanding and fight ignorance,hate and bullying.

If that boneheaded decision wasn't bad enough, this comment was made in an interview to Xtra, a gay/lesbian newspaper:

"We don't have Nazi groups either," rationalizes board chair Alice Anne LeMay. "Gay-straight alliances are banned because they are not within the teachings of the Catholic Church."

LINK

 

[ponderingturtle]

Pretty yawn worthy for a catholic scandal.

 

[FreshHat]

Pretty yawn worthy for a catholic scandal.

I do think the Nazi remark pushes it 'way over the top.

It's creating quite a stink here in Ontario.

 

[TragicMonkey]

All the students should transfer to Degrassi, it's all going on there! I'm going to win twenty bucks if Adam makes out with Eli at any point. Forty if Claire sees them at it and gives an impassioned speech in which she cries.

 

[KingMerv00]

Pretty yawn worthy for a catholic scandal.

Which is really the biggest scandal of all.

 

[ScannerHead]

The board first stirred controversy by not allowing student formed gay/straight alliance groups within their schools. The reasoning behind such groups was to foster understanding and fight ignorance,hate and bullying.

Which is really the biggest scandal of all.

Really? It's THEIR choice and their religion. If you don't like what they believe in, you're not compelled to participate in it.

Why do people feel the need to insert themselves into situations that have nothing to do with them?

 

[TragicMonkey]

Really? It's THEIR choice and their religion. If you don't like what they believe in, you're not compelled to participate in it.

Unless you're a child and attending one of those schools. They don't get any say in these matters, apparently.

 

[Darat]

Strange that a Catholic school doesn't follow the Catholic doctrine - is it a break-away school from the RC?

 

[sadhatter]

Really? It's THEIR choice and their religion. If you don't like what they believe in, you're not compelled to participate in it.

Why do people feel the need to insert themselves into situations that have nothing to do with them?

When these children educated in this manner will end up in the real world, and taking these real biases, into real life. This does effect me.

 

[IMST]

Really? It's THEIR choice and their religion. If you don't like what they believe in, you're not compelled to participate in it.

Why do people feel the need to insert themselves into situations that have nothing to do with them?

It's supported by tax dollars. Of course it's a public issue. And the kids in question, as mentioned above, don't get the say in it.

 

[sadhatter]

Strange that a Catholic school doesn't follow the Catholic doctrine - is it a break-away school from the RC?

Seeing as Christianity and Catholicism have hundreds of splinters, and that there is no enforcement of Catholic or christian doctrine, can one even refer to them as a "break-away"?

Until the pope starts sending someone around shutting down churches and schools for not teaching what is Catholic Doctrine, i can't see any logical way for them to be able to be shoved into the " Not really catholic" bin.

I am kind of sick of Christianity and Catholicism being able to claim all the credit any time any person vaguely resembling their religion does something good. But claiming " Break away" every time something crappy is done.

I can say who is and who isn't a police officer, because the police have policies and people to make sure people who are not police officers cannot claim they are, and if they do, they are harshly punished.

Until both religions get a similar system, claiming " splinter group." has no real meaning.

 

[I Am The Scum]

Really? It's THEIR choice and their religion. If you don't like what they believe in, you're not compelled to participate in it.

Why do people feel the need to insert themselves into situations that have nothing to do with them?

Probably the same reason you're posting in a thread that has nothing to do with you.

 

[Trakar]

Strange that a Catholic school doesn't follow the Catholic doctrine - is it a break-away school from the RC?

In what way?

Though the church, particularly under John Paul II, has often reached out to the Gay and Lesbian community, the group mentioned here is an lifestyle advocacy and rights group, not at all something I would expect the Church to support in their private schools.

To the Catholic Church perspective, homosexuality is a perversion of thought and deed. The Church reaches out to sinners of all types, but there is a difference between trying to help people overcome or deal with the consequences of their sins and tolerating a group that encourages and fosters these sins.

 

[Trakar]

It's supported by tax dollars. Of course it's a public issue. And the kids in question, as mentioned above, don't get the say in it.

That's what happens when you mingle church and state. They both try to change the other to the detriment of both.

 

[KingMerv00]

Really? It's THEIR choice and their religion. If you don't like what they believe in, you're not compelled to participate in it.

Why do people feel the need to insert themselves into situations that have nothing to do with them?

1) I am not "inserting myself into the situation". I am giving an opinion.

2) If I were, what of it? I think the church's policy on homosexuality (and sexuality in general) is harmful to society as a whole. I am therefore affected.

3) Homosexuality is not a choice.

4) Religion is often not a choice, especially for young people. One is usually raised to believe in the religion of their parents without complex thought involved.

 

[KingMerv00]

To the Catholic Church perspective, homosexuality is a perversion of thought and deed. The Church reaches out to sinners of all types, but there is a difference between trying to help people overcome or deal with the consequences of their sins and tolerating a group that encourages and fosters these sins.

Indeed. I think I speak for most people here when I say we object with the RCC's stance on homosexuality, rather than its lack of consistency on the topic.

 

[Dancing David]

Really? It's THEIR choice and their religion. If you don't like what they believe in, you're not compelled to participate in it.

Why do people feel the need to insert themselves into situations that have nothing to do with them?

Yup they can be biggoted, still doesn't make their bigotry correct or useful.

I suppose they would support a "Bash the Gays for God" club.

 

[Alt+F4]

It's supported by tax dollars.

How so? Is a Catholic education in Canada paid with tax money?

 

[WildCat]

How so? Is a Catholic education in Canada paid with tax money?

Yes. Read the 3rd sentence in the OP.

 

[Cavemonster]

In what way?

Though the church, particularly under John Paul II, has often reached out to the Gay and Lesbian community, the group mentioned here is an lifestyle advocacy and rights group, not at all something I would expect the Church to support in their private schools.

If they are supported by tax dollars, then they are not private schools.