Going to see Gordon Lightfoot, this evening at Rama. Below i want to share and article i work some years ago.
Christians Cried Out!
Wednesday, December 11, 600 angry Christians cheered and clapped their way through three presentations by area Christian leaders at the Inaugural Board Meeting of Simcoe County Board of Education in Barrie, Ontario. The presentations focused on three critical issues related to Christian traditions, their role and place in Simcoe County Public Schools.
Rev. Ian Wilson, Pastor of the Barrie Christian Fellowship hammered the Board’s insensitive to its constituents. After several thundering applause to his remarks, he pointed the bank of faces streaming back into the overflow crowd saying, “I didn’t beg these people to come!”
Mr. Wilsons in his presentation clearly showed how the Simcoe County Board, one of the largest school boards in Ontario, has turned a blind eye to the multitude of Christian constituents’ in this county who have seen their Christian traditions quietly sweep and eroded out the public school system. The cowed continued electric and vocal throughout the presentation.
School Board Chairman, Ken Snelgrove was facing a critical situation with three more presenters to go, two being Christian and a wall of media reporters to his right and two television cameras racing around racing around the room getting the best shots. Surrounding him was the present reality of 600 angry guests.
22 board members were sited around a solid wood table in the priceless domed board room. Pastor Tony denBok of the Church of God church in Collingwood continued the assault. He said, “The issue to which our schools school board has been asked by the Ontario Public School Board Association to respond to is whether or not they feel that Judeo-Christian principles should be removed from the school system entirely. It is the will of your constitutes that the Simcoe County Board of Education respond with s resounding “No” to the proposed change. The room thundered their approval. The room was filled with applause all night for the statements made by presenters, pushing the board members further back into their cushioned-back chairs.
Finally and emotionally driven mother, Sharlene Edwards spoke to the Board about the need to include Christian clubs into their noon hour school time.
Quickly a motion with two seconds was made by School Board Trustee Debra Edwards of Orillia, suggesting that the content of the three presenters be discussed in an open board meeting. The Chairman, Ken Snelgrove, after some discussions with the Director of Education, Richard Boswell and a failed majority vote by the evening board, denied Edward`s motion because according to the Board`s bylaw`s no motion can be made on presentation material.
The tired multitude erupted in disapproval. People cried out from the audience, `We want action now!`` Snelgrove battled the crowd and varied moves by other Board member when finally he resolved that, According to their democratic policy they must follow proceed and defer matters to committee level. The audience’s hearts fell! One more presentation followed then Snelgrove recessed for break.
The crowd filed out downcast, stuck down by the very democratic freedoms their great grandfathers had fought and died for.
Christians in Simcoe County have given elected School Board a clear message. They don`t like what they are doing in our public schools. The fight has only begun!
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- Ross Carne BA, MA