John Tory Proposes Creationism In Publicly Funded Schools

Submitted by Rolf on 5 September, 2007 - 20:41

John Tory stated that he'd like to see creationism taught in Ontario's publicly funded faith-based schools according to this article in today's Toronto Star.

    John Tory spent the morning promoting his $400 million election campaign promise to introduce public funding for faith-based schools and acknowledged that under the plan, schools would be allowed teach controversial subjects such a(s) creationism.

Yes, you read that right - he wants creationism to be included in the Ontario public school curriculum. Mr. Tory then attempted to clarify his position with the following:

    "They teach evolution in the Ontario curriculum but they also could teach the facts to the children that there are other theories that people have out there that are part of some Christian beliefs," the Progressive Conservative Leader told reporters.

Huh? There are legitimate scientifically endorsed theories out there other than evolution? I haven't heard of any. So we're going to allow the teaching of beliefs in addition to the facts now taught? Will these beliefs enhance an education based on facts? I'd like to know how.

In the Globe and Mail article, Creationism raised as Ont. election issue, Education Minister Kathleen Wynne is quoted as responding to Mr. Tory's statement with:

    ... teaching creationism alongside evolution would be a violation of the curriculum.

Ms. Wynne further stated:

    "In terms of the public dollars, those public dollars should go into a curriculum that has been agreed upon as being the one that is the best for our kids and is rooted in science and is rooted in evidence."

Yes, what is needed is a curriculum based on science and evidence, not on belief. God damn it, this is Canada, not Kansas or Georgia. This is the twenty first century, not the fifteenth. We should not even have to consider Medieval nonsense such as the teaching of creationism as a defining election issue in this day and age. Creationism should be restricted to fundamentalist churches where it belongs, if it belongs anywhere. And, any prominent political leader promoting creationism in publicly funded schools is not fit to be Premier of this province.

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Tory in damage control mode

Submitted by Rolf on 6 September, 2007 - 18:22.

In today's Toronto Star: Tory snared by schools flap. Apparently, even though he wants to allow the teaching of creationism, Mr. Tory believes in evolution.

    "Tory, who said today he believes in evolution, issued a clarification yesterday stating that his proposal would allow creationism to be discussed only as part of religious studies, as is now the case in Ontario’s publicly-funded Catholic schools, and not in science class."

Hmm, I've always considered evolution and creationism to be mutually exclusive.

And here is what Star readers have to say about creationism in publicly funded schools: Voices: Teaching Creationism. Reading the comments, I'd say there's a predominantly negative reaction to creationism. Here's but one example:

    "Obviously any country that separates Church and State should not be teaching religious myths as being anything other than religious myths. Unfortunately, the flat-earthers who want to drag science back to the stone-age have developed a real skill for nailing themselves to a cross in front of the ever sympathetic "secular" media and making the ludicrous claim that they are being discriminated against."
    John Volmers, Toronto

Speaking of creationism ...

Submitted by Rolf on 6 September, 2007 - 20:52.

Today's poll in the Toronto Star asks the question: "Should creationism, the view that God created all things on earth, be taught in Ontario schools?" As of 9:50 PM, a resounding 70% of approximately 3400 respondents voted No. Take that John Tory.

Letters to the Editor - Toronto Star

Submitted by Rolf on 7 September, 2007 - 04:53.

My, my. There are some pretty strong opinions regarding Mr. Tory's understanding of the theory of evolution.

U of T Prof Comments

Submitted by Rolf on 7 September, 2007 - 04:59.

University of Toronto Professor Larry Moran comments on John Tory's promotion of creationism at his blog Sandwalk.

    "Today John Tory stuck his foot firmly in his mouth when he revealed his ignorance of evolution."

Incredible

Submitted by jay on 7 September, 2007 - 17:23.

The depths to which our political leaders will descend in the pursuit of votes, and the ineptitude with which they'll do it.

I think Mr. Tory has been paying too much attention to politics in the United States because his platform is essentially one of no substance. For the most part it seems like baseless attacks on a working education system. I suppose he and his Tory party are back in the business of "Creating a useful crisis" in education.

Good riddance.