As many of you are aware, Premier Kathleen Wynne is reforming the Ontario sex education and health curriculum to introduce concepts to children– as early as Grade 1– that clearly oppose our Church teachings, doctrine and the Biblical definitions of gender, marriage and the family.
Here is a link to the proposed changes: http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2015/02/23/ontario-finally-unveils-revamped-sex-education-curriculum.html
Read more here:
http://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/index.php?p=Sex_Ed_curriculum
While we as a Church stand for the respect and protection of every child, Christian or non-Christian, we also cannot accept or support these proposed changes.
We oppose the subject matter in pertinent part, the manner in which it is conveyed, and the timing in which it is conveyed.
We believe:
- Sex, gender, marriage and family are holy unto the Lord, and cannot be separated from the fabric of our faith.
- We have the right to decline any teachings that contravene our faith– without prejudice. Our right to decline these teachings on the basis of faith without religious intolerance must be duly preserved and protected.
- As parents or future parents, we are entitled to make our own choices as to whether a school teacher who does not share our faith can be trusted to educate our children in these matters.
- It is ultimately our right– not that of a secular instructor– to teach our children matters inseparable from our faith. As such, we should be legally entitled to instill our own faith and values in our own children, in our own time, without consequence or compulsion.
We write to make you aware that if Premier Wynn’s reform is enacted, our children may be forced to attend such education or else face disciplinary, social or academic consequences. More so, these teachings may create confusion in our youngest and most impressionable children.
The Coptic Orthodox Clergy of Ontario, under the leadership of H.G. Bishop Mina the Bishop of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada, convened and denounced these changes and hereby encourage every single member of every Coptic congregation in Ontario to voice strong opposition to these upcoming changes.
Here is how you can voice your opinion:
+ Email or call your MPP: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en
+ Sign the online petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-graphic-revisions-to-ontarios-sex-education-curriculum.html
+ Join the rally happening tomorrow, February 24th at Queens Park: https://www.facebook.com/groups/344108632437683/
This motion to revamp the education curriculum was defeated in 2010 through the strong opposition of many parents from all kinds of backgrounds and faiths. Let us join together and work even harder than last time in defeating this proposal once more.