Do you agree with the Supreme Court's ruling on Quebec's religious program?

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal of Quebec parents who sought to withdraw their children from a religious program that felt does not fit their beliefs. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal of two Quebec parents who sought to remove their children from an ethics and religious culture program taught in that province's schools.

The parents, who cannot be named under a court-ordered publication ban, said the courses were incompatible with their Catholic beliefs. The program, taught in elementary and high schools, covered all major faiths in Quebec culture, including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and aboriginal beliefs.

The court ruled today that the Catholic family had not proved its freedom of religion was being violated, Canadian Press reported.

The parents wrote to their children's school board to request that they be exempted, claiming they had lost the right to choose an education that conformed to their moral and religious principles.

The school board refused to grant the exemption, and the Quebec minister of education publicly stated there would be no exemptions.

Quebec's Superior Court rejected the parents' request in 2009; their appeal was denied in 2010. Canada's top court heard their case in May.

Do you agree with the Supreme Court's ruling? Why or why not? What implications do you think this case could have in other areas of education, if any? Please share your thoughts in the comments field below.


(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)