School Bible Distribution Implies Respect for All Faiths and Traditions

Should the Waterloo Region District School Board allow schools to distribute the Bible with parental permission, or more importantly, should religion be allowed in the public education system? These are provocative questions that elicit passionate, divisive debate, and sometimes generate winners and losers.

Before answering important questions like these we must ask ourselves what does the Ministry of Education have to say about this and what is in the best interest of students, parents, staff and our community? We must also take into consideration the impact on the system?

First, the ministry recognizes we have a diverse and multicultural society and that is why it developed an “equity and inclusion strategy,” not “equity and exclusion strategy.” The strategy directs schools to provide religious accommodation within the classroom. It is about including and respecting all faiths.

The ministry’s document, Education about Religion in Ontario Public Elementary Schools, states: “Education about religion can help reduce barriers of ignorance between groups and increase there mutual understanding and respect.” And: “History shows that religion is one of the cornerstones of human identity. Education about religion can, therefore help students to understand themselves and others better, by giving them opportunities to consider human spirituality.” And: “The schools have a responsibility both to meet the needs of all students and to prepare students adequately for life in a multicultural, multi-faith society”

Furthermore, the Education Act states religion can be taught in schools but no faith must have primacy. It allows the distribution of faith material as long as it is not done during school hours. Our policy states, “The distribution of noninstructional religious materials shall take place before or after normal school hours.” There are other boards in the province with policies similar to the Waterloo Region District School Board’s policy. According to information from another board, a director surveyed 12 boards to determine their practice regarding distribution of Gideon Bibles. Of the 12, he found four did not grant permission and one board was conduction a review to reinstate distribution at the request of a trustee.

Second, what kind of message are we sending to the vast majority of Christian children, parents and staff and those who may not be Christian but want this resource for their child? By forbidding the distribution of Bibles are we not devaluing their opinion? Moreover, how will forbidding the distribution promote understanding and respect for all faiths? Wouldn’t it have the opposite affect, since we currently have Christian clubs, prayer rooms for Muslim children, and children praying around the flagpole?

Unfortunately, I have heard from students and parents that the word Christmas and traditional Christmas carols are forbidden at some schools. Discrimination happens when something is withheld or taken away because of race, creed, or other reasons. We need to promote respect and inclusion of all faiths.

Unfortunately, we are at the crossroads of an all-or-nothing mentality. I believe a nothing approach is not reflective of current school culture or Ministry of Education directives and is counterproductive to an inclusive school environment. With a nothing approach, communities become more polarized, and it means taking a huge step backward.
There are those who would like to eagerly usher the Gideon Bibles out the backdoor while totally ignoring or remaining unaware of what is permitted to enter through the front door.

The Waterloo Region District board has a reputation of being a progressive board.

Education is not about shutting doors, it is about opening doors. We must abandon our outdated exclusionary mentality and allow our children to develop an appreciation for diversity and a mutual respect for all faiths.

-- Cindy Watson, Waterloo School Board Trustee for Cambridge