Dr. Steve Tourloukis, a dentist in Ontario is taking the Hamilton-Wentworth School Board to court to recognize his right to be informed when the classes will teach a part of the curriculum that is contradictory to his Christian faith. Tourloukis stated that he doesn't mind the well-known talk about "the birds and the bees". Though, age-appropriate descriptions should be taken to account especially when some of the students taking part in these discussions are ages six and eight, similar to his own children. Tourloukis asked that he be informed when the classes teach these parts, that his children be excused from class. The school board claimed that it would be too difficult to accommodate to his preferences though, he rebuttled using the example of those of Muslim religion. Muslims at the same school are able to miss PE classes or leave classes during discussions about Halloween or Christmas. Tourloukis states that “We have failed to recognize our sacred responsibility to our children and I will not be an accomplice in the corruption of my children.”
This relates to our law class because it talks about religious freedoms and it is also an example of civil law. Similar to the last post, religious freedoms is the cornerstone to all freedoms. I think the court should side with Tourloukis because his argument is understandable in comparison to those of the Muslim religion. If the school board is able to let the Muslim children leave during the discussions of holidays that aren't apart of their religion, it is similarly doable to allow Tourloukis' children to leave the room during discussions of sex. Considering their age as well, it is understandable for him to not want his children to know about sex at the level the school is teaching it at.
http://bcc.rcav.org/canadian/2161-hamilton-father-goes-to-court-to-defend-parental-rights-in-education
Very interesting, especially because we are all still in school and even though this conflict has not occurred locally, it brings upon a very different approach to teaching mature matters. If he is successful in his case, he will very likely cause teachers to take precaution as to the varying types of ethnicities and religions they may have in their classes, not that they already wouldn't, but as a reminder. #horgansigningoff
ReplyDeleteI think there is a fine line between the innocence of a child and children being oblivious. I understand parents want to protect their children but now-a-days children should be more informed and aware than ever! Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic. The topic is a great way to show how it is related to law, as the father goes to court. I can see your point of view when you talk about how it relates to Law 12.
ReplyDelete-Fred M