Robert Edwards, who read the book when he saw his middle son with it, feels The Handmaid's Tale is anti-Christian and not suitable classroom reading. In a letter to Lawrence Park Collegiate's principal, Edwards complained that the dystopian novel is also “rife with brutality towards and mistreatment of women (and men at times), sexual scenes, and bleak depression.”
My favourite comment on this matter from the Toronto Star comment section:
“Ummmmm, Mr. Edwards . . .
. . . it's a cautionary tale, not a how-to. Honestly . . .”