The judge
concluded
that learning
in a Christian
environment
is an
expression
of religious
freedom.
It’s been a busy year so far for eligious freedom issues at Canadian courts, including two decisionsbythe Supreme Court
of Canada. Each of these court decisions gives more definition to
how the courts understand religious freedom and the intersection
of religion and public life. Two focused specifically on the freedoms
of religious communities and the
important role communities play
in the expression of religion.
The Supreme Court of Nova
Scotia strongly affirmed the free-
dom of religious organizations to
maintain their religious identity
and serve the public good in its
judgment on the Nova Scotia Bar-
risters’ Society policy to refuse any
law students with degrees from
Trinity Western University’s (TWU)
proposed law school.
The Barristers’ Society objects to
TWU’s Community Covenant,
which sets out what it means to
work and study in this Christian
educational community. TWU
students are asked to adhere to a
code of behaviour in keeping with
the religious vision of life that ani-
mates the university. The covenant
prohibits sexual intimacy outside
of marriage between a man and a
woman. Harassment, bullying and
disrespectful behaviour for any
reason, including sexual orienta-
tion, also violate the covenant.
The judge in the case noted there
was no evidence TWU graduates
would not be properly qualified to
practise law, nor that they would be
more likely to discriminate on the
basis of sexual orientation than
graduates of other law schools. The
TWU Covenant breaks no laws or
human rights legislation in B.C., and
the judge concluded that learning in
a Christian environment is an ex-
pression of religious freedom. “Re-
quiring a person to give up that right
in order to get his or her profession-
al education recognized is an in-
fringement of religious freedom.”
Saguenay case decided
A Supreme Court decision in
April in the Saguenay case
considered the place for religious
observance in state-sponsored
events and gatherings. Details,
including an introduction to the
case in everyday language by EFC
President Bruce J. Clemenger, at
www.theEFC.ca/Saguenay.
Religious freedom
affirmed in Loyola case
A Supreme Court decision in
March in the Loyola High School
case is good news for faith-based
schools and also churches and
other religious ministries. The
case, including a legal intervention
by the EFC, considered whether
private religious schools can be
compelled to teach a provincial
religion and ethics curriculum
from a nonreligious perspective.
The result is a “strong affirmation
of religious freedom,” says EFC
President Bruce J. Clemenger.
Read his thoughts on what
it all means for Canadian
Christians at www.theEFC.ca/
LoyolaCommentary.
Doctors’ freedom of
conscience to go to court
Please pray for the Christian
Medical and Dental Society,
an EFC affiliate ministry
organization, which announced
in March it is going to court to
defend the conscience rights of
medical professionals. Details at
www.cmdscanada.org.
Freedom of conscience is being
challenged by medical bodies
in Saskatchewan and Ontario,
which have developed policies
that require doctors to provide
referrals, and in some situations
undertake procedures, that might
violate their conscience and/or
religious beliefs.
The EFC argues that doctors
who don’t offer certain procedures are not discriminating as
long as all patients are treated
the same.
Responding to changes
in sex education
Ontario released its new
Health and Physical Education
curriculum in February, which
outlines a new sexual education
component for the province’s
public and Catholic schools, to
be implemented in September.
The EFC offers a webpage of
advice, sample letters and other
resources on this issue at www.
theEFC.ca/OntarioPE2015.
EFC denominational
leaders meet
Leaders of EFC affiliate
denominations ( www.theEFC.ca/
denominations ) met in April.
These peer-led meetings, which
include EFC President Bruce J.
Clemenger, are held twice a year
to discuss common concerns and
make time to pray together.
News FROM THE EFC
Advancing religious freedom
Several recent court cases are clarifying the scope of our religious freedom
THE GATHERING PLACE
BRUCE J. CLEMENGER
Find out about news stories
like these and more at
www.theEFC.ca/socialissues.
Learn how to take action on
the issues you care about at
www.theEFC.ca/takeaction.
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