"...but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles... (1 Corinthians 1:23)
Actually, it's not the Bible itself that offends. It is the message within it: that Man is imperfect and in rebellion from God. In some way or another, it offends EVERYONE.
How we respond to that offense is what matters most. Some respond with contrition and humbleness. Others harden their hearts and resolve to live their lives apart from God. They want nothing to do with the sovereign authority of all the universe.
Why they are not content to keep their rebellion to themselves instead of imposing it on everyone else, defies reason. Maybe they're insecure in their beliefs.
That's absolutely right, the very core of the matter.
“With man it is impossible. But with God it is impossible.”
The church can be very frank to people that if they just want to be okay with the world, then they can pretty well ignore much or most of the bible.
But if they are willing to believe there is a God and want to be okay with him, then the bible bears heeding for its illustrational and propositional truths.
There might be room yet for wise relationships with Canada. Like Jesus said to the pagan rulers, his kingdom is a different kingdom from theirs. We’re here teaching Christians who have agreed they want to be Christians what the ancient documents say that Christianity means, and if you don’t like it you can just pound sand, Ontario.
This basically moves the question onto the stage of private relationships. Hey this school is about a private relationship with God. It isn’t about what Canada says is right. We’ll gladly tell them what Canada says is right and what God says is right, then the choice is theirs.
It’d be worth a try, at least. IMHO.