Several religious schools say there is respect for homosexuals. Feelings for someone of the same sex may certainly be there, but acting on them is a different story. Dating, sex or the prospect of marriage are considered undesirable, according to Nieuwsuur’s research.
Fur ball
During the Nieuwsuur debate, CDA leader Henri Bontenbal said that he does not find it a problem if the freedom of education (Article 23) sometimes conflicts with the equality article (Article 1) of the Constitution. “In a pluralistic society, opinions that you do not have yourself will always be offensive,” Bontenbal said on Monday evening.
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He does not want to deny religious schools the freedom of education, even though these schools compile teaching materials that are based on religious rules that do not always comply with the Constitution. When it comes to sexual orientation, being a woman and dealing with non-believers, according to Bontenbal, the teaching material may conflict with Article 1. “Schools belong to society, not to the government. We attach great importance to the fact that parts of society are allowed to shape education in their own way. There are many more groups with differing opinions.”
Fundamental value
The Ministry of Education emphasizes that the freedom to be yourself is a fundamental value in our society. That is why a school may not reject homosexuality. Yet it remains unclear what exactly the ministry means by ‘homosexuality’. Is it just about feelings, or does it also include relationships, dating and sexual contacts? “We do not use an official definition of homosexuality,” said a spokesperson.
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