Freedom of religion doesn't exist at this Catholic school.
Canadian high school student, Josh Alexander, was suspended for saying that there were only two genders in November 2022. Since then he’s also been arrested for protesting transgender girls (biological men) having access to girls bathrooms.
Alexander’s Catholic high school, St. Joseph’s, conducted his punishment, which is ironic considering the heart of his protest is his religious beliefs...beliefs that align with the Catholic faith that his school claims to pride itself in.
In an interview with National Post, Alexander explained what went on in class.
I got suspended for comments made during a class discussion. It was about male students using female washrooms, gender dysphoria and male breastfeeding. Everyone was sharing their opinions on it, any student who wanted to was participating, including the teacher. I said there were only two genders and you were born either a male or a female and that got me into trouble. And then I said that gender doesn’t trump biology.
James Kitchen from the Liberty Defense Fund that’s representing the student, said Alexander would be allowed back to school if he agreed not to use the “dead name” of any transgender student even though Alexander said he’d never done such a thing.
“Compelling Josh to utter falsehoods regarding gender contrary to his beliefs and segregating him from classes are repugnant manifestations of religious discrimination,” Kitchen said.
As a result of the incident, Alexander claimed, “Freedom of religion is probably one of our most important freedoms, so I’m not going to surrender it in the face of persecution.”
He also added, “It just goes to show how little freedom of expression we have in our country.”
In addition to agreeing not to use students' “dead name’s,” Alexander was told that he couldn’t attend two classes he’d been enrolled in because they had transgender students that disagreed with his religious beliefs.
So the trans students got him kicked out of their class because they don’t agree with his Catholic convictions - at a Catholic high school, might I add. Apparently only the opinions and wishes of particular students matter.
When Alexander tried returning to school, the vice-principal escorted him outside to meet with police. He was driven off property in the back of a cruiser and was released with charges of trespassing.
This is quite insane. It's some dystopian type crap that a student who expressed that he didn’t like the idea of a male entering a female restroom and that he followed his religious beliefs to admit that there were only two genders was what led to his suspension.
Then again, it is Canada. Am I right?
“Josh not only has a right to express himself during class discussions and through public forums, he also has a right not to be discriminated against by his school for his sincere religious beliefs," Kitchen said. "Being suspended and excluded from attending classes is the height of discrimination."
Kudos to Alexander and his determination to protect his free speech and freedom of religion. Hopefully his woke, “Catholic” school gets a come-to-Jesus moment soon.
