MONCTON, NB—New Brunswick schoolchildren are once again allowed to receive Bibles from the Gideons. In a new education policy announced in April, religious materials may be distributed with prior permission from the Department of Education and from the parents or guardian of each child.

In January 2006, the Department of Education notified the Gideons, who had been distributing New Testaments to Grade 5 students for 60 years, that they were no longer allowed to distribute Bibles in the schools, after hearing from a parent who objected to her child being given a free Bible without parental consent.

Announcing the new policy, education minister Claude Williams said, “We recognize that religion plays an important role in many New Brunswick families. Therefore it was felt the process of distribution of religious materials required clarification.”

Andrew Hopper, Maritime president of the Gideons, is pleased with the announcement, even with its new restrictions.

“We look at this as being a positive thing. The department could have said “no.” We will go along with the process. It is better to follow the policy to be able to distribute the Bibles than the alternative of not being able to distribute them.”

Under the policy change, all requests to distribute religious materials must receive approval of the minister of education. A permission slip must be sent to parents asking if they wish their child to receive the religious material being distributed. The parent has the right to accept or decline.

This changes the previous practice of the Gideons who sent home either assent or dissent cards depending on the preference of each school principal. In the dissent card, a student would be given a Bible unless a parent or guardian specifically refused, in writing, to give permission.

Now, dissent cards are specifically forbidden in the policy.