After controversy, after controversy, after controversy, it’s of little surprise that the Edmonton Catholic School Board feels it needs to start a pro-Catholic schools campaign:
Catholic Education in Alberta is being challenged and we are concerned about the long term impact. The Board of Trustees for Edmonton Catholic Schools has developed a plan to lobby the government. Please read more about this advocacy project below.
As the Edmonton Atheists point out, however, their arguments are easily debunked:
The argument they make to support publically funded Catholic indoctrination of children is asinine.
1. History
Just because something has been around for a long time does not mean we should keep it going. The issue of constitutional protection has been dealt with by other provinces that disbanded the Catholic school system. And let’s not forget that the UN says funding of Catholic schools is discriminatory — I do not believe our constitution was designed to protect discrimination.
The argument that they educate 1/4 of children is pathetic – obviously those kids are still going to get a public education in a secular system!
2. Distinctiveness
AKA: Discrimination. They seem to believe that Jesus is crouching behind each student, ready to help them cheat on their math test:
“At every important milestone of learning, Christ is there, igniting a child’s curiosity and desire to learn.”
This type of special pleading, if we followed it to its natural conclusion, is ludicrous. Should we have an Islam school board so Mohammed can whisper answers into every little child of Muslim parents? Is the Flying Spaghetti monster telling children of atheists parents how to spell? Does the Buddha help kids write their diploma exams? This type of superstitious magical thinking only takes away from the hard work and dedication of the students in Alberta.
…
They know they’re position is indefensible on human rights grounds; hence their last-ditch campaign to defend their system of privilege.
Let’s keep up the fight for secular education across the country!