So, my friends, consider this controversy in my beloved Ontario. Voting season is coming round for us, as it is for Americans, and one of the hot issues is faith-based schools. The Conservative Party, headed by Harper, advocates the funding of all faith-based schools which adhere to standard curriculum, since, under Canada's constitution, Catholic schools receive funding in perpetuity (an antiquated clause which, thus far, the government has failed or been unable to dismantle, despite ongoing public murmuring). The Catholic Church is the only religious instituion with this privilege.

Since, for whatever reason, this funding cannot be ceased, the Conservative Party claims that other faith-based schools are entitled to the same benefits--not merely Christian, but all. Alternatively, the Liberal Party decries this logic. While careful not to suggest fighting the clause upholding Catholic funding (votes are the ultimate objective, after all...), contestant, McGuinty, claims that, as a rule, money should go to fund public education that is not governed by any particular religious principles. In other words, things ought to stay as they are. Moreover, concurring advocates argue, the Conservative Party's plan would contribute to division among children and communities, steal much-needed funding from public schools, etc. etc. etc. This entails, in summary, the Liberal stance.

Canadians, of course, are divided on this issue. Some entirely agree with the idea of funding for all faith-based schools, while others agree only to a point. No one is saying it out right, but folks have alluded to the "danger" of supporting Islamic schools, of which, presently, there are few, perhaps for lack of money. Children, under the guise of standard education, might be taught to hate the West and led to engage in volatile activities...like, blowing up the neighbouring Christian or Jewish school down the road. You get the idea. And what about the Satanists? What if they want to open a school for children? Shall the government fund them as well?

Still others argue that there should be no funding for any faith-based school, a belief I share. While religious in some ways, I appreciate that, for the sake of peace, there must be a public academic arena that welcomes and accomodates all students, regardless of their background. Why Canada cannot recant funding from Catholic schools is beyond me. Attempts have been made in the past, but all inexorably in vain. Thus, I ask, how can such preferential treatment be justified, when the funding of other religious schools is firmly denied? Doesn't seem fair. Even so, I cannot fathom how spreading such funding to all schools would serve as an improvement. Further obligating Canadians to finance religious beliefs they do not share seems equally unfair--something like adding insult to injury.

The growing controversy--and in some cases, hysteria--is interesting to observe. What do you think? What might your stance be, if your state or province were faced with the same issue?