Thank you James Lunney for the stand you are taking for religious freedom.
As a country, Canada has long taken a strong stand for multiculturalism, freedom of speech, tolerance, human-rights and religious freedom. As a result, Canada has become a destination of choice for immigrants, and they have been welcomed. As a senior, 75-plus, I have been privileged to experience our changing cultural, social, political and economic landscape.
It is not hard to see that as a country we stay true to the above mentioned values, or pillars of our Canadian culture, except for that of religious freedom. One is free to choose whichever religion they wish, but if it is Christianity, as I have chosen, religious freedom seems to cancel out. Why is that?
Some sort of fear seems to set in. Atheism has been around a long time and that is one of the many choices. But what is the need for militant atheism?
I think the question that Lunney raises as to who is perhaps financing these efforts may well be valid. There does seem to be a concerted effort to persecute, one way or another. As Christians, we have a set of values and a world view, as do the Muslims, Buddhists and Atheists. Each is entitled to their choice. We can also choose to agree to disagree with respect, even discuss our differences. It is interesting that outside of Canada as a tourist Canadians are often regarded as “nice people” and we are welcomed as visitors. Let’s be nice to each other on our home turf.
Jack VincentParksville