LETTER: Surrey schools are no place for proselytizing
Published 7:00 am Sunday, April 19, 2026
Editor,
Re: Christianity should not be suppressed in Surrey schools
Ms. Sadlon’s expectation to “assume the local schools are a place where they uphold the freedom of religious expression” is unrealistic. She states that while attending and serving in her church she spoke with students about, ”the quiet, gradual oppression of the Christian faith” because they were not allowed to form a group to”share, communicate and worship.” In a public school?
That’s why we have churches, temples and synagogues where religious activities can freely occur. If students are so concerned about their faith, why not in a local church? Perhaps they should attend a private school?
While the teaching of world religions is acceptable in a classroom setting, public school is not the place for religious prayers and proselytizing. There is a difference between academic learning and religious worship.
She was also concerned that students “had to refrain from using language that proclaimed Christianity to be ‘the’ truth, not just ‘a’ truth.” That’s quite a claim! There is no secular mention of Jesus Christ until the second century. While the Bible contains historical information and a plethora of wisdom it would be naive to consider it a document that is literally and historically true.
She mentioned Bill C-9 which is aimed at “strengthening penalties for hate-motivated crimes and to protect access to religious sites.” I don’t perceive any hate-related crime, and neither is a public school a religious site.
A. Leering, White Rock