Should Saskatchewan children have a choice to attend a PUBLIC school and not be expected or pressured to participate in school sponsored religious worship? Should they have to segregate themselves from their peers and teachers on a daily basis in order to avoid school sponsored religious worship?

Our tax dollars in Saskatchewan support both a public school system and separate religious school system. However, did you know in Saskatchewan "The Education Act, 1995" has a law (Section 182(3) of The Education Act, 1995) that allows a school board to direct a PUBLIC school to recite or read either the Lord's Prayer or selected Bible passage each morning at the beginning of each school day? The law also states this must be done "without comment or explanation". This law was adopted into the Saskatchewan Education Act in 1905 from the 1901 N.W.T. School Ordinance. So it has been there for 115 years! It is time to demand this law is repealed!

This law allows a public school to violate Saskatchewan students' fundamental right of freedom of conscience and religion as stated in Section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Subjecting all students to a Christian-specific prayer demonstrates a lack of respect for student diversity and independent student values. We have laws in place to demonstrate a strong and clear reflection of the VALUE in our society of people from a VARIETY of cultures, religions and backgrounds. Along with ACCEPTING the differences of its citizens Canada combines with that the SUPPORT of the rights of those in the minority. It does so purposefully to ensure the opinion of the majority does not supersede the rights of a minority.

I question the purpose of daily school wide religious worship. Certainly it can’t be for the purpose of educating students as the law regarding it specifically notes that it must be "without comment or explanation". So, it isn't for students to discuss or analyze or even debate at school. The only reason that seems be offered for continuing the practice is “tradition”. Which isn’t really a reason is it? There was a time in our society that the tradition was women and minorities had no right to vote. At one time the majority agreed with that tradition. At some point the idea that it was “tradition” was no longer recognized as valid, the idea was challenged and society changed its practices accordingly.

I recently requested that my children's public school discontinue its daily practice of broadcasting the Lord's Prayer over the PA system. I suggested it be replaced with a "moment of reflection" that would allow students that wish to pray an opportunity to do so privately while not subjecting all students to the religious worship of one specific religion. The school asked for parent feedback and stated that since the majority of parents were accepting of the broadcast of the Lord's Prayer each day the school intended to request our local school board direct them to be allowed to continue doing so. I made a presentation directly to our local school board on the issue. However, they felt that since the majority of parents agreed with the prayer that the tradition should be allowed to continue.

To be honest, I don’t really see this as a “prayer in school” issue at all. I see this as an issue of respecting all students regardless of their belief system. You see, I know that my children's school (as well as parents of students at our school) is aware that not every student attending is a member of the Christian religion. As the school has always made such a point of ensuring its students feel welcome and included, frankly I am surprised they would prioritize the opinions of parents rather than respect, support and celebrate the diverse perspectives of its student body. I am curious…at what percentage would the minority MATTER to the school? What would the magic number of students need to be for the school to show value & respect for their beliefs?

I must admit my disappointment that a public school in this day and age would continue to find daily school sponsored religious worship appropriate. Families who value Christian worship have ample time outside of the school day for prayer. Also, Saskatchewan is very fortunate to have a variety of options available to those families that value religion as part of a school program. However, I disagree with the forced exposure to religious worship in our public schools.

As you can see, leaving this law in The Education Act allows public schools and school board the CHOICE to violate any student's right to freedom of religion.

Please support this petition to repeal The Education Act, 1995 Section 182(3) in Saskatchewan.