Sandra Dunham
No kidding you say! This is a PGO (Penetrating Glimpse into the Obvious). Or is it?
When we advocate, permit, or instigate public funding for anything, it is always at the expense of something else. For me, the most cringe-worthy line is “If it saves just one life, it’s worth it.” This would be true, if the cost of saving that life did not amount to many lives lost by not using the funds for something else.
Economics 101 teaches us about opportunity cost. That is the opportunity that is lost by spending money on something different. And, in many cases, these decisions are tied to personal values and morality; the old guns-or-butter argument.
When we advocate for funding in one area, we must be alert to the fact that people are dying as a result of a lack of funding in another. Many decisions about the best use of funds are difficult. Do we provide a few, life-saving organ transplants, or provide many breakfasts? Do we increase funding for mental health and addictions or for housing? But one decision is very easy: Stop using public funding to support religion.
Recently I heard from one of our supporters, putting to words the outrage and frustration that I and many others feel:
“Please try to hurry with the taxes being wasted on religion when people need mental health and harm reduction supports which are evidence based and actually very needed beyond the false hope of religion.
Religion doesn’t change the material conditions of today. “
CFIC has long advocated for the removal of public funding for religious purposes. Specifically,
- We disagree with the $5.5 billion spent on “advancing religion”
- We have fought alongside partners in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta to discontinue wasteful funding of a separate school board catering to a singular creed
Sometimes we feel we are fighting a losing battle. Despite receiving thousands of signatures on a petition to end the public funding of Catholic Schools in Ontario, then-Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, put as little time and energy into responding to petitioners as was possible.
We know we are fighting an uphill battle and appreciate those of you who fight by our side. Change takes time. It also takes knowledge and understanding. Public funding for religious institutions is not benign. It uses money, a scarce resource that could be used for better purposes, and does nothing to change the conditions of society for the better. (In fact, research suggests it does just the opposite.)
To win this fight, we must firmly stand our ground and speak out against religious privilege. CFIC thanks all who help us by becoming a member, donating to our cause, reading our reports, and sharing them. If you would like to get involved in one of our secular projects, please email sdunham@centreforinquiry.ca. Let me know which of our projects you would like to work on:
- Canada’s Census — Our Faulty Religion Measure
- Eliminating “advancement of religion” as a charitable purpose in Canada (see the Cost of Religion series of reports)
- Brainstorming the next steps in the battle against public funding for Catholic Schools
Money is finite. Let’s be sure we are using it wisely. Let me know how you would be able to help, and I will put you in touch with the person who is spearheading the campaign.
Help CFIC make a difference.