By Thaddeus M. Baklinski
SURREY, British Columbia, December 10, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A BC father who had filed a complaint with the province's Human Rights Tribunal against his sons' elementary school for refusing him space to hold a Bible study group has withdrawn his charge after experiencing what he described as a “storm of controversy” over his actions.
Paul Jubenvill filed a complaint with the tribunal on Dec. 1 alleging his religious rights were violated after the Colebrook Elementary School turned down his request to run a lunchtime Bible study club.
At the beginning of November, Mr. Jubenvill contacted the principal of the school his two sons attend requesting permission to start an extra-curricular Christian club that would meet for 20 minutes per week to read the Bible and pray.
The school principal, with the support of the Surrey School District, turned down his request.
The decision, wrote Assistant Superintendent John Ormond, was based on “the important fact that Section 76 of the School Act requires that schools are to be conducted on a strictly secular basis and that no religious dogma or creed is to be taught.”
Following release of the story by local media, Mr. Jubenvill found that both his intentions in starting the Christian club and in filing a human rights complaint had been blatantly misconstrued.
In a letter to the Surrey Leader, Mr. Jubenvill said “the attention given by the media, and the reaction this generated, has by no means accurately portrayed my intentions.”
“It turned into a war. It's not what I want. I'm not a political person. I didn't even know what this tribunal is,” said Jubenvill.
“It's turned into Us vs. Them. It's become a mudslinging thing. People have totally misunderstood my actions,” he said.
Mr. Jubenvill said after reflecting on how the situation has developed, he realized the matter may be addressed more effectively in face-to-face meetings with school district officials, and consequently withdrew his complaint to the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
“I believe there is an opportunity for us to come to an agreement that meets the legal responsibilities and still allows the free expression of the Christian faith by students in the school,” Mr. Jubenvill said.
To express your opinion to the Surrey School District please contact:
John Ormond, Assistant Superintendent
School District No. 36 (Surrey)
14225 56th Avenue
Surrey, B.C. V3X 3A3
Phone: 604-596-7733, ext 478
Fax: 604-596-7941
To contact the principal of Colebrook Elementary School:
Ms. Carrie Burton
5404-125A Street
Surrey, B.C. V3X 1W6
Phone: 604-596-3221
Fax: 604-596-9573