"It should be most troubling to every parent because this will be a case used as precedent … For me, it's a dark day for children and it's a dark day for parents when special interest groups supersede the rights of a parent to protect their child."

But others see it as a win for Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy, which led to new policies across the province — including in the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board — to remove biases and barriers to ensure all students feel welcomed and accepted.

"It's definitely a step in a positive direction," said Maya Roy, executive director of Newcomer Women's Services Toronto.

Toronto sexual health educator Stephanie Baptist said, "I'm not OK with one person's religious accommodation trumping another person's human rights.

"We're all different and our public system must make it safe for all of us. It is by participating in that learning that all students grow up with that open-hearted acceptance of folks of all different backgrounds so we can live together in this pluralist society."

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Tourloukis brought the case forward because he believed his Charter right to freedom of religion was being violated, the ruling noted. He believes it's his "obligation to shield his children from 'false teachings,' which he considers indirect attacks on his faith."

Furthermore, "it would be sinful for him to fail to provide that protection."

The HWDSB, which was at the centre of the case, emphasized in an interview with The Spectator that schools regularly work with parents to accommodate religious beliefs such as absences for special holidays or making it possible for children to pray during the school day.

There is also the option of removing children from the classroom for certain parts of the new sex education curriculum. Tourloukis wanted the option of removing his kids from any class every time certain topics came up.

"A lot of folks brand the public board as anti-religion but that is not the case. In fact, we're comprised of all religions you can think of and we want to celebrate that," said board chair Todd White.

"We reflect our communities and we accept anyone and everyone for who they are and we want to make sure they feel safe in our classrooms."

He said it would be impossible to remove children every time topics some parents find objectionable arise in the curriculum or just naturally in classroom discussions.

"Religion is taught in a number of different formats but it's not there to indoctrinate students," said White.

"We're not here to teach which one is right or wrong. We're there to educate. That includes providing the information about all of our students and the diversity that is reflected in our population."

The judge agreed it would not be practical to inform Tourloukis in advance every time a long list of topics came up in school — including sex, environmental issues, practices like astrology, wizardry, witchcraft and spirit guides, the LBGT community, euthanasia and infanticide.

"The list of objectionable subject matter provided by the applicant was extensive," states the ruling.

"It would be extremely difficult for teachers to be sufficiently familiar with the variety of concerns raised by parents for individual students so as to advise in advance of their mention in lessons."

Tourloukis mounted his constitutional challenge in 2012 when his children were in junior kindergarten and Grade 2 at Gordon Price Elementary School.

The case was heard June 23.

"Justice Reid's decision is very disturbing," said Phil Lees of Public Education Advocates for Christian Equity.

"We live in a pluralistic and inclusive society but the decision is not inclusive … The family was asking to be informed so that they can be involved in their child's learning — and the court says no."

Tourloukis' supporters worry how the loss will affect him financially as the matter of costs has not yet been settled. He is a dentist and his wife is a high school math teacher in the public board.

"This could bankrupt this poor dentist who is only seeking to protect his children," said McVety.

He says the Christian community will do what it can to fundraise for him.

The judge encouraged all involved to come up with an agreement regarding costs. The case also involves the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario and the Ministry of the Attorney General.

"Our federation supports the perspective that Ontario public schools should be religiously neutral environments that foster equality for all students and staff," said the ETFO in a statement.

One factor in the judge's ruling was that Tourloukis can leave the public board if he disagrees strongly with the curriculum.

"Independent schools whether faith-based or otherwise, may be available as is, of course, the option of home-schooling," states the decision.

But the judge agreed the HWDSB couldn't accommodate Tourloukis because of the "need for religious neutrality and tolerance in a public institution."

Correction Published: 20161129 - A story Monday about a father losing his bid to pull his child from class incorrectly identified the school involved. It is Gordon Price Elementary School. The Spectator regrets the error.

jfrketich@thespec.com

905-526-3349 | @Jfrketich