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Alberta Human Rights Commission accepts Morinville education complaints

Morinville School Issue, News No Responses »

Feb 222012

By Donna

The complaint submissions sent by Donna Hunter and three other Morinville parents have been accepted by the Alberta Human Rights Commission under Section 4 of the Alberta Human Rights Act. It was welcome news after the complaint submission sent by Donna Hunter and another Morinville parent under Section 11.1 of the AHRA was not accepted in January. The two parents have since requested a review of the AHRC director’s decision to decline the Section 11.1 complaints. The parents have not heard back yet on this request.
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Ruling on the Quebec Ethics and Religion Class

News, Religions 3 Responses »

Feb 182012

In 2008, Quebec introduced a mandatory ethics and religion class. The class includs the major faiths in Quebec and discussions of ethics. To me, that seems like a great idea. I’d like to see more of that in Alberta schools.

One couple challenged the mandatory classes in the courts, on the basis of their Charter rights.

According to the Supreme Court’s case summary, the parents have a problem with the course because of the “disruption caused by forced, premature contact with a series of beliefs that were mostly incompatible with those of the family, as well as the adverse effect on the religious faith of the members of this family.”

The Lieutenant Governor And God

News, Secularism No Responses »

Feb 152012

By Don

Recently on the SEA Facebook page there was some discussion about the Speech from the Throne made by Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor, Don Ethell. There was criticism levelled at the Speech for what as I see as two main issues: the content of the Speech itself and then about references made to God at the conclusion of the Speech. It quickly became clear that I am in the minority as I see no fault with the Lieutenant Governor’s remarks and see no reason to criticize the man or office, at least in this case. So, let me explain my reasoning on each issue.
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Atheists.

Christianity, News No Responses »

Feb 072012

By Andrew

I think that we have all seen some pretty spectacular over-reactions by Christians to some fairly inoffensive billboards and bus ads. So the question comes up, is it possible to run pro-atheism ads without offending fundies? Well, an atheist group in Scranton, Pennsylvania is trying to find out, by putting up the least offensive ad they could come up with, and waiting to see what kind of reaction they get.

http://m.examiner.com/atheism-in-philadelphia/atheist-bus-ad-to-put-christians-to-the-test

Donna Hunter on Alberta Prime Time

Morinville School Issue, News No Responses »

Jan 312012

Donna made an appearance on Alberta Prime Time to discuss the Morinville human rights complaint, and showed herself to be a great representative of the fight for secular education in the town.

http://albertaprimetime.com/Headlines.aspx?pd=3276

Morinville School Update

Morinville School Issue, News, Secularism 1 Response »

Jan 252012

By Donna Hunter

Morinville Public Elementary School had its first day of classes in their new modular classrooms Monday, January 23. The modulars are located adjacent to an existing Elementary School, Georges P. Vanier. The two modular classrooms were expected for the beginning of the 2011-12 school year but were delayed for months. Students were first taught in the Morinville Community Cultural Centre, but increased enrollment required larger space and the students were moved to conference rooms in the Sturgeon School Division Office. Schooling in the modular classrooms will begin a shared space arrangement between Greater St. Albert Catholic Regional Division – the public school division for Morinville – and the Sturgeon School Division – the guest provider.
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Still ongoing: Sturgeon Heights school prayer issue

News, Secularism, St. Albert School Issue No Responses »

Nov 122011

The Sturgeon Heights school prayer issue is still ongoing, and the board seems to be trying to draw it out long enough that the parents will get tired and wander away.

http://www.stalbertgazette.com/article/20111112/SAG0801/311129971/-1/sag/sturgeon-heights-school-prayer-issue-still-undecided

Holiday Party, and Venue Change for Nov 25 Pub Night

News, SEA Events No Responses »

Nov 112011

In some rather wonderful timing, the SEA will be holding a joint secular and skeptical holiday party with the Greater Edmonton Skeptics Society, CFI Edmonton, and the University of Alberta Atheists and Agnostics. This will replace the pub night that was planned for November 25, and as a result, please come to Accent Lounge after 8pm that evening instead!

Accent Lounge will have food, wine and draft beer specials for the evening, and while there is no door charge to get into the event, we do encourage all attendees to bring Edmonton Food Bank items. We’ll also have a photo booth, and a trivia contest, with the winner deciding the charity receiving the money raised.

Please see further details and RSVP at the link below, so that we know how many people to plan for!

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1962914129/

Hope to see you there!

This week in the news

Christianity, News, St. Albert School Issue Comments Off

Oct 172011

Luke Fevin was in the news again this week discussing the Sturgeon Heights prayer issue, and standing up for his right to a secular education for his children. In case you missed the original announcement, there is a petition to stop publicly funding separate schools in Alberta, set up by Dave King (former education minister).
http://www.separateschooleducation.ca/petition.php

CTV news clip before the meeting – October 12, 2011
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150328263757683

CBC summary of the school board meeting – October 13, 2011
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/10/13/edmonton-sturgeon-morinville-lords-prayer.html

Should the Lord’s prayer be heard in public school? – October 14, 2011
http://life.nationalpost.com/2011/10/14/school-on-the-edge-of-edmonton-in-row-over-morning-prayers/
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