It is not illegal in Canada to affiliate with the church community of your choice. It is not illegal in Canada to believe that a union between one man and one woman is uniquely sacred. It is not illegal in Canada to privately associate for peaceful religious purposes with others who share the same religious … [Read more…]
I saw an interesting note today on Marcel Callo, from France during wartime occupation by the Nazis. At age 22 he was ordered into a forced labour camp. A year later, the report says, he was arrested by the Nazis for being “too Catholic” and was eventually sent to the Mathausen concentration camp in Austria. … [Read more…]
A new friend of mine, Brian Rogers, publishes an interesting blog at http://faithpoetrythought.blogspot.ca. He touches occasionally upon freedom issues, although with a much more muscular and academic erudition than I bring to the task. On February 4/17 Brian published some thoughts with the intriguing headline “The Bait and Switch.” What was the subject? Freedom! More … [Read more…]
I read an interesting report today. Apparently, “the dean of the University of Ottawa’s faculty of medicine has warned… faculty members against using their roles as educators to make “personal or demeaning attacks on celebrities or politicians.” Dr. Jacques Bradwejn also warned faculty against expressing “politically charged sentiment” in social media accounts that identify them … [Read more…]
If you think you will keep people whose values you don’t like out of Canada with a policy of “values screening,” be prepared to be surprised!!! I met a man who thought values screening was a great idea because he believed it would be used to keep people with religious values he opposed out of … [Read more…]
A news report last month described municipal officials in Quebec revoking the operating permit of a community centre because the centre refused to prohibit prayer by people gathering at the centre. Apparently this action was precipitated when inspectors found 20 people praying together in the building. And opponents of freedom slyly ask where do we … [Read more…]
When I read of the killing of innocents at the Quebec Grand Mosque, I thought of a conversation I recently had with a friend. My friend’s proposition was that religion had been responsible for more death and suffering in human history than any other cause. I replied that the desire for power, coupled with greed, … [Read more…]
As I write today, our American cousins are commemorating MLK Day, in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his courageous battle for equality of civil rights south of our border. From marches, through non-violent sit-ins and protests, powered by inspirational eloquence and undaunted perseverance, Dr. King and his followers moved concern for basic … [Read more…]
I recently had a conversation with someone who believes that assisting someone to take their life was a good thing to do in some circumstances. This is not an uncommon viewpoint in today’s Canada, if opinion polls are to be believed. My concern for her wasn’t focused on her belief that helping others to end … [Read more…]
Here’s a copy of the letter of protest Democracy Defence Initiative delivered on November 30, 2016 to: The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario November 30, 2016 80 College Street, Toronto ON M5G 2E2 Dear Sirs/Mesdames In 1948 the wise leaders of the free world declared in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that … [Read more…]