Speak Up! Alberta Forces Schools to Approve GSA’s
Take Action! Three EasyMail letters are below. They will be CC’d to the Premier and Education Minister
As you have likely heard, on Tuesday Education Minister Gordon Dirks tabled amendments to Bill 10 and within hours the legislation passed a final vote in the Alberta Legislature. Only two MLAs (Ian Donovan and Bruce Rowe) voted against it.
Bill 10 is horrible law (find a copy of the legislation as tabled and amended before Christmas here, and see the even more contentious amendments introduced and passed on March 10 here). Among other things, it requires all Alberta schools to approve GSA clubs. It also adds the terms “sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, and gender expression” to the Alberta Bill of Rights. As ARPA explained at length in the past, if law and public policy are based on subjective notions, such as how someone identifies at any particular moment, then law loses meaning altogether. Perhaps most troubling, the bill also removes the requirement for parents to be informed when their children are being taught about sexual orientation. The Alberta government has cowardly pushed this through, even after many of you explained just how problematic the legislation is.
This legislation is an affront to the authority that God has given parents as the primary educators of their children. For a Biblical defence of that statement, see God’s directions to Abraham in Gen. 18, God’s instructions to the people of Israel to teach their children his commands in Deut. 6, the generational instruction outlined in Psalm 78, or scan through the book of Proverbs, filled with instructions on how to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Prov. 22), including as it relates to sexuality, and it’s pretty clear.
Children are called to honour their father and mother. Although the State is increasingly viewing itself as Father, we have an obligation to remind it that its role is limited (Romans 13), and Bill 10 is far outside of its responsibility.
Bill 10 is also a direct violation of freedom of religion and association. Parents have the constitutional freedom to join together with a common goal that is in harmony with their religious convictions. Being forced to approve of clubs or activities that these associations believe to be against God’s will is a violation of our fundamental freedoms. We must speak up!
ARPA Canada intervened at the Supreme Court of Canada in the Loyola case last year. In that case, the province of Quebec tried to force a private religious school to teach religious education, even the school’s own Roman Catholic faith, from a secular perspective. We are still waiting for the decision and are optimistic that parental authority and our fundamental freedoms of religion and association will be recognized. Perhaps ironically, in many ways Alberta is following the course of Quebec as a new bastion of state-imposed secularism.
Our hope is that courageous Albertans will go beyond complaining, and even expressing concerns via letters. Bill 10 may need to be challenged in court and declared unconstitutional. And all of us need to use our votes, our donations, and our voices to oppose the further erosion of decency, God-given authority, and freedom. Please hold our elected representatives accountable, in a respectful way. If you donate to their campaigns, consider stopping and sending a letter to explain why.
Take Action: The Alberta government is accountable ultimately to God. It is also responsible to listen to its citizens. Please don’t let the MLAs think that the passing of Bill 10 was a moral victory. Use our EasyMail program to send a strong but respectful message that you are disappointed with the passing of Bill 10. Even better, follow the email up with a phone call, expressing the same sentiment. You can find the MLA’s phone number here.
- Letter 1 – Law can’t be built on feelings (link)
- Letter 2 – Bill 10 violates freedom of religion and association (link)
- Letter 3 – Parental Authority Undermined (link)
Please also use Facebook to share this action item by clicking “share” at the bottom of this article.
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Letter 1: Law can’t be built on feelings
Dear MLA
I’m deeply disappointed and upset with the way that all but two MLAs pushed Bill 10 through the Legislature recently.
I have great respect for authority, and pray for our government officials regularly. However, the way in which this problematic bill was amended and passed within hours is not worthy of respect. The actual content of Bill 10 is even worse. To be frank, this is horrible legislation, and it was cowardly to push this through the way the government did.
As you are aware, the bill adds the terms “sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, and gender expression” to the Alberta Bill of Rights. These additional terms are subjective – based on how someone feels about themselves. When law is based on subjective notions, such as how someone identifies at the moment, then law loses meaning altogether. If the same subjective standard applied to other parts of the law, we would all recognize it as absurd. A 12 year old who “identifies” as an adult isn’t allowed to get a driver’s licence.
I could go on and also explain how Bill 10 violates freedom of religion and association. But that has already been communicated loud and clearly, and ignored. I’m very disappointed with this brazen disregard for what is right.
Please know that I will continue to do what I can to promote justice and freedom in this province, including by encouraging others to do the same.
I pray that hearts will be softened in the Legislature.
Respectfully submitted,
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Letter 2: Bill 10 violates freedom of religion and association
Dear [MLA]
As you are very aware, on March 10 the Alberta government quietly introduced amendments to Bill 10 and pushed it through to a final vote within hours. I’m shocked at this brazen disregard for truth, justice, and democracy.
Bill 10 is also a direct violation of freedom of religion and association. Parents have the constitutional freedom to join together with a common goal that is in harmony with their religious convictions. Being forced to approve clubs or activities which these associations believe to be against God’s will is a violation of our fundamental freedoms.
You may hope that Bill 10 is no longer a public issue and also not an election issue. However I will not forget. There must be accountability, and I will do what I can to stand up for freedom and truth. That includes sharing these concerns with other Albertans and encouraging them to vote as well.
Although this government may get away with the passing of Bill 10, one day every member of the Alberta Legislature will be held accountable to a higher authority. Political expedience may be your motivating factor here on earth but when the King of kings returns you will have to answer to Him. My prayer is that there will be repentance across this province before then.
Sincerely,
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Letter 3: Parental Authority Undermined
Dear [MLA]
Thank you for your service as our elected representative.
I’m writing because I’m very disappointed in the almost unanimous passing of Bill 10.
This legislation is an affront to the authority that God has given parents as the primary educators of their children. Children are called to honour their father and mother. The Alberta legislature is driving a wedge between parents and children. Who gave the State the authority to indoctrinate children with the precepts of secular humanism? The State has assumed a role which is not it’s to take.
Your role is to govern this province by promoting peace, order and justice. Your role is not to indoctrinate children in the precepts of secular humanism.
The Supreme Court of Canada will soon decide the Loyola court case. In this case, the province of Quebec has forced religious schools to teach secular humanism, and from a secular perspective. We look forward to see the decision from this court as it will clearly speak to what this government is doing with Bill 10. But even if the Supreme Court decides poorly, ultimately there will be day of judgment for all mankind.
I respectfully urge you to contemplate who has ultimately given you your authority (see Romans 13), and to act accordingly.
Respectfully,
