Canadian Christian school under attack for teaching ‘offensive’ Bible verses

On June 16, The Blaze reported the Battle River School Division, located near Edmonton, Alberta, had asked the K-12 Cornerstone Christian Academy to cease using two “offensive” Bible verses in its school handbook. Now, Cornerstone Christian Academy teachers and administrators are being told they must stop studying or reading any part of the Bible that could be considered offensive.

The Cornerstone Christian Academy is listed as an “alternate school” and receives some government funding.

According to a report by CBN News, Lauri Skori, the Battle River School Division chair, informed the chair of the Cornerstone Christian Academy, Deanna Margel, "any scripture that could be considered offensive to particular individuals should not be read or studied in school."

Skori also said "any teachings that denigrate or vilify someone's sexual orientation” should be banned.

The two Bible passages that sparked the dispute were 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Galatians 5:19-21.

The 1 Corinthians passage states, in part, “Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

The passage from Galatians reads, “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”

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Margel said the demand, which could lead to Cornerstone being removed from the district and losing public funding if not met, challenges the school’s freedom of religion.

"We're talking about freedom of religion, but we're [also] talking about freedom of expression," said Margel, according to the CBN News report. "We need every single word there to challenge us, to call us to greater understanding. It's just so important."