May 10
18
Court decision on Christian Horizons’ appeal – Homosexualism defeated
Christian Horizons – May 17, 2010
Dear Member,
Re: Court Decision on Christian Horizons Appeal
Last Friday afternoon, we received the Ontario Divisional Court’s ruling on Christian Horizons’ appeal regarding the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal’s decision.
As you will recall, the Tribunal’s decision would have had the effect of preventing Christian Horizons from continuing to operate as a faith-based organization. That is why we appealed.
I am very pleased to tell you that the court overturned the most significant part of the Tribunal’s decision, so that Christian Horizons can continue to operate as a faith-based organization.
Let me quote from the court’s decision:
“. . . it is clear that Christian Horizons operates its group homes for religious reasons – in order to carry out a Christian mission, imitating the work of Jesus Christ by serving those in need. It would not be doing this work of assisting people with disabilities in a Christian home environment but for the religious calling of those involved … Thus, the Tribunal accepted that, from the perspective of the founders of Christian Horizons, its members and employees, the organization saw itself as an Evangelical Christian organization. The charitable work it undertook for persons with developmental disabilities was undertaken as a religious activity through which those involved could live out their Christian faith and carry out their Christian ministry to serve people with developmental disabilities. Christian Horizons is, in fact, primarily engaged in serving the interests of persons identified by their creed, with resultant benefits to individuals with developmental disabilities who live in their group homes and the families of those residents.”
Also, we are very pleased that the court struck down the Tribunal’s direction that Christian Horizons review all of its employment policies in consultation with the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
The court upheld the Tribunal’s decision regarding the complainant’s lifestyle grievance and struck it out of the Lifestyle and Morality Statement. However, Christian Horizons has already stopped using the Lifestyle and Morality Statement.
I want to thank you for your on-going support as Christian Horizons claimed its right to continue to operate as a faithbased organization. We are committed to strengthen the spiritual foundation of the ministry. We serve people with developmental disabilities in Ontario because our members, directors and employees have a Christian calling to do so. Your commitment to this ministry was critical to our appeal and – indeed – will sustain our work into the future.
Sincerely,
Ed Sider
CEO, Christian Horizons