Position of the MLQ on the new Ethics and Religious Culture program, 24 April 2008

The MLQ asks Minister Courchesne to withdraw the "Religious Culture" part

Marie-Michelle Poission, Henri Laberge and Daniel Baril
(Photo : Claude Braun)

(Montreal, 24 April 2008) At a press conference this morning, the Mouvement laïque québécois (MLQ or Quebec Secular Movement) expressed its dissatisfaction with the new Ethics and Religious Culture program, announced recently by the Quebec Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sport. The new curriculum will be implemented at both the primary and secondary school levels in September 2008. The position of the MLQ is summarized below.

Summary of the MLQ's Position
YES to Secular Public Schools
NO to Multiconfessionnal Curricula

1. Concerning the new Ethics and Religious Culture program (ERC)

The MLQ holds that the teaching of religious culture in the same program as Ethics is completely inappropriate.
The MLQ is opposed to the practice of allowing student exemptions.
Instead, the MLQ asks that the Quebec Ministry of Education withdraw the "Religious Culture" part of the new Ethics and Religious Culture program.
The MLQ considers that a course in Ethics and Dialogue Skills would respond to the needs and desires of the Quebec population. Such a course could include Philosophy for Children content.
The MLQ recognizes that teaching the culture of various religions can be a valid goal. However, the religious culture course proposed in the new program constitutes a uncritical glorification of religions. The proposed program is not secular and does not respect the necessary separation between religion and State. Rather it is multiconfessionnal and has no place in the public school system.

2. Concerning the role of schools in the "spiritual development" of students.

The MLQ asks that article 36 of the Loi sur l'Instruction Publique be amended by removing the passage which states that public schools should facilitate the spiritual development ("cheminement spirituel") of students.
The MLQ requests the abolition of the service for the promotion of spiritual life and community involvement (SAVSEC, "Service d’animation à la vie spirituelle et à l’engagement communautaire") at both the primary and secondary levels.

3. Concerning the so-called Quebec model of "open" secularism ("laïcité ouverte")

The MLQ rejects the so-called Quebec model of "open" secularism ("laïcité ouverte") proposed by the Secretariat for Religious Affairs (SRA) and the Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA).
The MLQ considers that the Ministry of Education has been ill advised by the Secretariat for Religious Affairs and the Committee on Religious Affairs.
The MLQ asks that the Secretariat for Religious Affairs and the Committee on Religious Affairs be effectively and definitively abolished.