Only Green Party will speak with Xtra about Catholic schools in Ontario

Only the Green Party’s education critic was willing to speak with Xtra about Catholic schools in Ontario but what he says makes lots of sense as do the comments by the Minister of the MCC in Toronto who argues that freedom of religion only means freedom to worship and not to discriminate.

Politicians stay silent on Catholic school funding

 

Ray Comfort comments on Kevin Smith – Ottawa Citizen “Religious” Expert

Kevin Smith is with CFI in Toronto and is the Atheist/Humanist religious expert at the Ottawa Citizen’s Ask the Religion Experts column. I don’t know who Ray Comfort is but here is a video of him thinking Kevin is into porn and a fornicator:

Ray Comfort bets his life Kevin is into porn and a fornicator

 

Catholic Bishops Prohibit Gay Straight Alliances

A great piece of investigative journalism and enjoy the document that was leaked from the Catholic Bishops. The main story; however, is about how Xtra has not been able find one publicly funded Catholic school in Ontario that has a Gay Straight Alliance:

Catholic Bishops prohibit gay straight alliances in Ontario Schools

 

Some examples of attempts to interfere with academic freedom?

MacIvor was recently quoted in the Star, talking about the backlash she felt for criticizing the government, and since then she’s heard from several other professors who have been experiencing the same thing. MacIvor said she’s been told that Conservative operatives refer to her as a “Liberal hack”

Tories accused of digging up dirt on \'Liberal\' Profs

 

The Needle and the Damage (Not) Done

MacLean’s article on how the belief that vaccination causes autism is far more dangerous than any vaccine:

The needle and the damage (not) done

 

MacLean’s On Campus Recommends Defunding Ontario Catholic Schools

MacLean’s On campus recommends defunding the Ontario Catholic school system. This is a positive step since MacLean’s is a national level magazine.

Defund Catholic schools

 

A response to a comment I made under a Youtube video

Here is a response to a comment I made under a Youtube video. Now remember that this is 2011 and homosexuality has not been listed as a mental illness since at least the DSM III:

bgibb101 has replied to your comment on Stephen Harper and Gay Rights:
@swissguy2 – Why should Harper fund ANY event where some of the participants insist on public displays of sado-masochism and nudity? Homosexuality is a mental illness, not a lifestyle. But in this age of political correctness the truth is not welcome. I hope Harper gets a majority government. At least I will be voting for him. Gay ‘rights?” Just a coded term for “homosexual agenda.”

 

Why we need one secular school system in Ontario

If there ever was a reason why we need only one secular school system for Ontario this is it and isn’t this against the human rights act and the charter?:

Halton Catholic policy and GSA ban still in effect

 

A positive ruling for separation of church and state

The attached link about a Saskatchewan court decision that marriage commissioners cannot refuse to marry same sex couples because their religion objects to homosexuality is not only a positive ruling for gay and lesbian people but also for the separation of church and state.

Saskatchewan court upholds same sex couple\'s rights

 

Objecting in Silence Never Changed Anything

An excerpt from the attached article better summarizes its gist than I can:

“Taking offense is social pressure that has evolved to keep others silent. We don’t want to offend, but we can’t keep silent. No one should.
If you keep your religious beliefs private, I won’t comment on them. If you bring them up, put them on the money or insert them in the lyrics of songs, I will. When ideas have social consequences, silence is complicity.”

The article is thought provoking. Please take a moment to read it:

Objecting in Silence Never Changed Anything