John Tory couldn't have known the controversy his proposal to fund religious schools in Ontario would stir up. While his intentions are good, it may cost him the election in Ontario. It would be an expensive enterprise and the electorate is suspicious of where this would lead.
I am opposed to funding religious schools even though I have seen examples such as the Christian School in Bowmanville in action and am really impressed by what they are doing by way of values education. But I began my ministry in Newfoundland where all sectarian schools were funded by the government and the education system was a mess. Eventually they went from a system of many denomination schools to one public system to end the starvation of funding for decent education.
I do believe that religion as a subject should be part of the curriculum. Twenty years ago the United Church and other denominations offered a well-reasoned proposal for education about religion, arguing that whatever the personal convictions of recipients, religion has shaped our society. Then each faith community could teach its particular creeds and values within its place of worship. The government actually began to train teachers to this end, but eventually the initiative was dropped.
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n a pluralistic society the education system can honour the historical and ongoing role of religion and we can be diligent in sharing our Christian convictions within congregational life.
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