One of the great irreconcilables of our age is likely the chasm between "faith" and "sexuality", specifically GLBT sexuality.

While some liberal Christian churches and Jewish synagogues have moved to a greater acceptance of gay men and lesbians and, to a lesser degree transfolk, there still remains a massive disconnect between most faith communities and the GLBT communities.

The Edmonton Logos Society, a non-denominational Christian program operating within Edmonton’s public school system, has come out - as it were - against the recent Edmonton school board’s draft policy regarding making public schools safer and more welcoming for sexual minorities.  School trustees voted eight to one in March to create the policy for schools dealing with discrimination based on sexual orientation, with a draft policy posted on the school board website and an invitation for public feedback through a then-online survey, which has since closed.

The proposed policy states, in part, that sexual and gender minority (meaning those of us who self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, two-spirited, queer, or trans) students, staff, and families, including same-sex parented families, have the right to be "included, affirmed, and represented in an inclusive, positive and respectful manner by all school personnel".  It goes on to state they also have the right to have their "unique identities, families, cultures and communities valued and affirmed within all aspects of the school environment."

In early June, Logos sent an "alert" via their newsletter The Logos Lantern to parents of children enrolled in its program, stating the policy "...means that our Logos teachers and principals would no longer be able to express freely in their classrooms that the homosexual lifestyle [sic] is not in accord with their Christian beliefs, and that they would be required to ‘affirm’ homosexual lifestyle as acceptable to traditional Christian family values, [and] we cannot accept this."

Logos seems to be most concerned with the affirming aspect included in the proposed policy, believing this would have "a significant, negative impact on [their] Logos Christian Alternative Program" which was stated in the June edition of the Logos Lantern in boldface lettering.

The alert, written by Bruce Wilkinson, President of the ELS, then goes on to say,

"The Policy review Committee’s document states that Trustees are "committed to implementing proactive measures that will [amongst other things]: Develop, promote and implement inclusive educational strategies, professional development opportunities, and administrative guidelines to ensure that sexual and gender minorities and their families are welcomed and treated with respect and dignity in all aspects of the school community" [Emphasis added by Logos]

"We have met twice with Edmonton Public School authorities and prior to the second meeting we forwarded [to] the Policy Review Committee 12 written questions asking for clarification. They gave us only flimsy, anecdotal evidence in answer to our query of why their proposed policy was even necessary. The rest of the questions they did not answer. For example they were unwilling even to state what "affirm" will mean for teachers, principals and other staff."

In all fairness, Wilkinson does support the school board’s existing policy of zero tolerance toward bullying, stating, "As followers of Jesus, we believe that every child should be free from bullying, whether it is because of his or her physical appearance or their sexual orientation, or for any other reason, and that all persons and families should be treated with respect and dignity," but then qualifies that by also stating, "Yet, if the Trustees would insist that their already-existing policies on bullying were strictly enforced by the Superintendent and school principals, there would be no need for an additional policy at all." [Emphasis included by Logos]

He then moves into the minefield area of conflicting rights, an area rife with challenges for anyone involved in equality, civil, or human rights work, stating the proposed policy in fact violates Christians’ rights of expression and freedom of belief.

He argues the proposed policy, "violates the motion approved by former Trustees which inaugurated the Logos Program on January 23, 1996. That document states that, "A fundamental purpose [of the Logos program] would be to support the traditional values of the home ... [and] a teacher in this program would be expected to bring a Christian viewpoint to issues and topics from all curriculum areas... Furthermore, sex education would emphasize traditional Christian and family values." [Emphasis included by Logos]

He goes on to argue, "Some of the proposed policies of the Policy Review Committee also violate our rights specified in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which states under the section "Fundamental Freedoms", Clause 2, that everyone has: "(a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression..."

"They also violate our rights under Article 1(b), (c) and (d) and Article 3(1) of the Alberta Bill of Rights as well as under the Code of Conduct, Article 3 of the Alberta Human Rights Act."

The Bill of Rights sections refer specifically to the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech.  Article 3(1) refers to no subsequent ruling or statute can negate or "side-step" these pre-existing rights.  Artlcle 3 of the Alberta Human Rights Act outlines the parameters under which individuals cannot discriminate or cause a person or class of persons to be exposed to hatred or contempt because of their status within any number of protected areas.  Exemptions to this include the free expression of opinion or if the notice in question is displayed "by or on behalf of an organization that is composed exclusively or primarily of persons having the same political or religious beliefs..."

The proposed school board policy does not, I would suggest, violate the rights of Logos members.  They are free to believe whatever it is they believe about GLBTQ people and they are certainly free to continue to worship and practice their religion...the churches they worship in are not being burned, they are not being rounded up for being Christian, and they are not being persecuted.  It could, however, be argued GLBTQ youth are persecuted within our school system by their peers.  If a teacher condemns homosexuality, or transsexuality for that matter, as against God’s will and as an evil, as sin, and a GLBTQ student is exposed to that belief, it could be argued that it constitutes a form of persecution.

As mentioned, the balancing of rights is complicated and tricky, at best.  While I do not share many of the beliefs promulgated by organizations like ELS, or the Christian Church itself, whatever manifestation it presents, I do respect individuals have the right - legal, ethical and moral - to hold those beliefs and to conduct their own lives in accordance with them.  While for instance I would disagree with a teacher - in this case, a Christian teacher - stating in the classroom that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings, I also believe there is a way to present that without belittling or dis-affirming those of us who are GLBTQ.  It would certainly offer what is commonly called ‘a teaching moment’ and open up discussion about beliefs, dogma, and any number of other issues such as Nature vs Nurture etc.

This would appear to be in total keeping with Logos’ own Mission Statement, which states in part, "That students, taught in a spiritually nurturing, intellectually challenging and disciplined environment, acquire the knowledge, attitudes, skills and training necessary to seek after ‘whatsoever things are true.’"

In Alberta, as in other provinces and territories within Canada, we have essentially two systems of education; a public, secular one and a ‘separate’ school system operated by the Roman Catholic Church.  In recent years, various religiously-based charter and private schools have also come onto the field.  I have no issue with parents sending their children into the separate school system or to a Jewish, Christian, or Islam-based charter or private school, if that is their wish.  However, I also think it is important to maintain the secular aspect of the public school system, I would hope a system designed to equip youth with the background and cognitive skills to make a life for themselves as adults.  The role of religion, or faith, in this context should fall outside the public school system; by all means, study the various religions and examine their respective belief structures.  Doing so offers students an opportunity to be exposed to something outside themselves and broadens their understanding of the world, something that would define "education", but to institute a faith-based curriculum into the public system, as was done with the introduction of Logos in 1996, well....did nobody anticipate a collision of beliefs was inevitable?  It would seem obvious to me.

I am not for one second suggesting anyone compromise truly held convictions and beliefs.  I am suggesting, however, that such a curriculum as Logos expounds, and the philosophy behind it, while good and noble in and of itself, has no place in a public education system which schools a plethora of students from a myriad of backgrounds, faiths, and cultures.  To be clear, this is also not to suggest there is no role for such a curriculum if that is what individual families feel they need and require.  I am suggesting there are alternatives to the public education system in which to pursue that agenda, and there should be those alternatives, but the public education system itself needs to remain, and be seen to remain, neutral in such matters.

The approach the Edmonton School Board is taking with its policy regarding GLBTQ is not in conflict with the views I have just stated.  Including and affirming GLBTQ individuals and our families in a respectful and positive manner within all aspects of public schooling is an extension of the role public education plays in society.  GLBTQ community, and GLBTQ individuals, are part of society - we pay taxes, we support public (or separate) education and have the right to access that without fear of reprisal, attack, persecution, bullying, or any and all forms of discrimination, however subtle or camouflaged it may be.  Believe what you wish to believe, that is your right.  But it is not your right to impose those beliefs on any one else under the guise of "religion" and your interpretation of "God’s will."

What would Jesus do?  "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s...."