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| Date: From: Subject: | 3/8/2012 3:49:21 PM Mike Smith, HSLDA Help Stop Law Requiring Homeschoolers to Teach "Tolerance!" |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Help Stop Law Requiring Homeschoolers to Teach "Tolerance!" Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: HSLDA of Canada is asking for our help! Our homeschooling brothers and sisters to the north (Alberta) are facing the possibility that they will be banned from teaching during schooltime that the Bible is true. The law would require that homeschoolers' academic content contain politically correct views such as tolerance for controversial lifestyles. Paul Faris, president of HSLDA of Canada, says the law would subject homeschool families to the Alberta Human Rights Act which has been used to target Christians and conservatives, particularly those families with religious and traditional views about homosexuality. Paul is asking that homeschooling families across North America call and email Alberta's education minister and premier for one day only on Friday, March 9, 2012. Their contact information is at the end of Paul's alert below. It is fine to indicate that you are calling from the U.S., if asked, and always remember to be polite but passionate. This is truly an international homeschool freedom issue that could affect our freedom in the U.S.! This approach to controlling homeschooling is gaining momentum in academic circles and in the media as discussed in HSLDA Chairman Mike Farris's November 2010 Court Report cover story, "The Third Wave of Homeschooling Persecution." http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=13992 . In that article Mike writes: "Now you understand what they mean to accomplish with mandatory teaching of tolerance. They aim to stop you from teaching your own children that Jesus is the only way to God. The American Bar Association (ABA) recognized all of this years ago in a book it published promoting the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to the ABA, a church school that taught that other worldviews are unacceptable and that Jesus is the only way to God would be teaching lessons that 'fly in the face' of Article 29 of the CRC." The Third Wave has already reached homeschoolers in Alberta, Canada. We ask you to stand with them in such a time as this! Please pray throughout the day on Friday as the Lord leads you. We greatly value you and your support--it is a privilege to serve you! If you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join or recommend us and support our work defending individual families threatened by government officials and protecting homeschooling freedom for all? Join now >> http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=13993 Michael Smith HSLDA President From HSLDA of Canada: TIME TO TURN UP THE PRESSURE IN ALBERTA We need calls from across North America In spite of the well-articulated concerns of homeschooling families, the Alberta government is continuing to drive toward the swift passage of their intrusive legislation. Bill 2 is the new Education Act that will mandate compliance with the Alberta Human Rights legislation for all students in Alberta: including homeschooled students in their own homes. The government's spokesperson, Donna McColl, has stated, "Whatever the nature of schooling--homeschool, private school, Catholic school--we do not tolerate disrespect for differences." Although these statements were later repudiated, they clearly show that even within the government, there are those who would use this legislation to limit the freedom of parents to pass their beliefs on to their children. Click on the links below for background on the case and a more complete description of the problems with Bill 2. HSLDA of Canada blog: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=13994 Alberta Home Education Association: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=13995 To date we have asked that only Alberta families contact the Alberta government so that elected officials can hear from their own constituents. Even though thousands have voiced their concerns, the Alberta government is ignoring their calls for change. On Monday approximately 500 homeschoolers held a peaceful rally at the Alberta legislature. Even though Minister of Education Thomas Lukaszuk was present at the rally, he later tweeted, "Attended a rally put on by some home schoolers who protest against human rights in education." It seems clear that the Alberta government is choosing to ignore our concerns. We need to turn up the pressure! If you live in Alberta, please keep calling. For those of you in the rest of Canada and the United States, now is the time to support your fellow homeschoolers in Alberta. For one day only, this Friday March 9, we need as many calls as possible from across North America to show the depth of concern with this harmful bill. Please call, asking the government to support the following amendments to Bill 2 which will be introduced by the Wildrose Education Critic Rob Anderson. Mr. Anderson will move that Section 16 be removed and substituted with the following: "16 Education programs offered and instructional materials used in schools must not promote or foster doctrines of racial or ethnic superiority or persecution, religious intolerance or persecution, social change through violent action or disobedience of laws." It is likely that the phone lines will be very busy. After you have called, please send a short email setting out your concerns and letting them know that you called so that they have a record of your concerns. Please call the following offices: Hon. Thomas Lukaszuk, education minister 423 Legislature Building 10800 - 97 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB Canada T5K 2B6 Phone: (780) 427-5010 Fax: (780) 427-5018 edmonton.castledowns@assembly.ab.ca Premier Alison Redford Office of the Premier Room 307, Legislature Building 10800-97 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2B7 Phone: 780-427-2711 (ask to be connected with the premier's office) Email: Use this form. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=13996 Sincerely, Paul D. Faris President, HSLDA of Canada ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Have you ever yelled into the wind, only to hear the sound of your voice blown back at you? It's hard to be heard in the midst of a storm. Trying to influence federal legislation is much like yelling to be heard while standing in a fierce wind. Yet when 80,000 voices join together, they become a powerful force that cannot be drowned out. Join HSLDA to be heard above the tempests that threaten homeschool freedoms. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1939 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
