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Re: 'Keep bigotry out of faith-based school funding debate,' Editorial, Aug. 3

The referenced editorial appears to be a defence for the funding of separate Catholic Schools based on an historical opinion and the claim that the Catholic Church is the largest religion in Ontario.

Reference is made to the history of Canada. At the time of the decision to separate cultures and the Christian religions, Canada was not a country but a colony of the British Empire. The British utilized the concept of divide and conquer to minimize discontent, save money in governing, etc., in order to exploit whatever it could. The aftermath of this control concept created major conflicts once independence was gained in practically all the countries of the former Empire.

Examples in addition to Canada are India, Malaysia, and the African and Caribbean colonies.

Forgetting the past for the moment, an additional concept called multiculturalism is a government policy. While the concept of a multicultural society is noble in concept, it can only work if there is an intermingling of all the various cultural and religious groups. Otherwise ghettos can develop, causing misunderstandings and conflicts. The integration of education of all the various groups and religions goes a long was in bringing the various groups and religions together. (One learns from one's children.) To have separate schools for different religions perpetuates the segregation of societies rather than help in the integration of societies. No race, culture or religion should have special privileges in education. Hence, the claim that the Catholic Church has a majority of the population of Ontario does not mean that it has the right to claim they should have special privileges.

A uniform, secular educational system for all students of Ontario will create fairness to all regardless of race, culture or religion. Separate schools for various races, cultures or religions will only lead to further segregation.

The Catholic school system could set an example of tolerance by joining an education system that is available to all races, cultures and religions.

The editor talks of bigotry. Let us instead talk of integration.

Harry Redstone