Canadian Office of Religious Freedom

[Goober]

No worries goober...

Yeah I did read through most of the thread. I could care less what he / she / they choose to believe (I do wish more would wonder how any "one" is "THE" one though) but I get frosted where it's impolite to scratch at hearing that yet another stomach has been grafted into the bloated cow that comprises our governing body.

Well the next election is in 2015 unless a few Cons cross the floor - Doubt that will happen.
So this is pre election agenda and we will see more of it in the Budget, Speech from the Throne and all of that stuff.
Every Govt does it.

I prefer the US version as use of the word Creator was not common then. It shows a willingness and a vision to accept all Religions and if you read it correctly the right not to have a Religious belief.

Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982
PART I
CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law:


The Declaration of Independence

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

 

[Spade]

Canada's Sacred Office is attached to Foreign Affairs. Will religious charities dispensing aid and proselytizing without regard for local religious customs lose government assistance? Isn't the missionary position an affront to religious freedom in those distant lands?

 

[Niflmir]

This is the prayer that is read in parliament......

It is non sectarian.......

Almighty God, we give thanks for the great blessings which have been bestowed on Canada and its citizens, including the gifts of freedom, opportunity and peace that we enjoy. We pray for our Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, and the Governor General. Guide us in our deliberations as Members of Parliament, and strengthen us in our awareness of our duties and responsibilities as Members. Grant us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to preserve the blessings of this country for the benefit of all and to make good laws and wise decisions. Amen.

Are you kidding me? Non-sectarian? I do not think you know the meaning.

There are more than a few religions that do not believe in an Almighty God, and certainly not one that guides members of parliament. Amen? Only find that in Christianity. Even the notion of praying is particular to a handful of religions. It is a Christian prayer only, and even then, it excludes the deists.

It is an insult to all of the men and women who have worked hard to bring freedom, opportunity and peace to Canada: it implies that we didn't work for it, it was bestowed on us as a blessing. All the worse off countries are apparently frowned upon by the Almighty God.

 

[Simple Man]

Well the next election is in 2015 unless a few Cons cross the floor - Doubt that will happen.
So this is pre election agenda and we will see more of it in the Budget, Speech from the Throne and all of that stuff.
Every Govt does it.

I prefer the US version as use of the word Creator was not common then. It shows a willingness and a vision to accept all Religions and if you read it correctly the right not to have a Religious belief.

Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982
PART I
CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law:


The Declaration of Independence

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Lookitchoo with all the serious stuff..lol..

In all honesty I have only recently taken much interest in things political. Dunno why exactly but I suspect that it has something to do with the fact that things / life in general has gotten so bloody complicated. I don't suspect this is a good thing and generally think humans are stupid. Hell...even back when things were semi simple and warm, dry & fed was something to aspire to, history typically bears witness to the stupid human syndrome; I don't believe we are much wiser today if any but stuff is certainly a lot more complicated.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

 

[Goober]

Canada's Sacred Office is attached to Foreign Affairs. Will religious charities dispensing aid and proselytizing without regard for local religious customs lose government assistance? Isn't the missionary position an affront to religious freedom in those distant lands?

Cannot remember the name of that charity- It was in the news last week- I agree- withdraw funding- But then look at what the Libs funded as well. We must be even handed now.

If the mission statement is to provide aid many NGO's can do it.
Though I would drop Oxfam as they initially refused water, from Military ROWPU units that provide clean and disease free drinking water. Their reason was it was from the Military. Meanwhile people who had survived the Tsunamo on Dec 26th were dying or taking ill from drinking polluted water. I am sure that you would agree that Oxfam was more interested in their so called moral standards than in helping those in need.

 

[taxslave]

Well the next election is in 2015 unless a few Cons cross the floor - Doubt that will happen.
So this is pre election agenda and we will see more of it in the Budget, Speech from the Throne and all of that stuff.
Every Govt does it.

I prefer the US version as use of the word Creator was not common then. It shows a willingness and a vision to accept all Religions and if you read it correctly the right not to have a Religious belief.

Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982
PART I
CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law:


The Declaration of Independence

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That hasn't really worked out all that well for some ethnic groups in the US.

 

[Spade]

The Dalai Lama would do a creditable job.
Dalai Lama - Conflicting Philosophies of World Religions - YouTube

 

[Goober]

The Dalai Lama would do a creditable job.
Dalai Lama - Conflicting Philosophies of World Religions - YouTube

Yes.

 

[tay]

Dion suggests end is nigh for office of religious freedom


Speaking at a foreign policy conference Thursday, Dion said the Liberal government, like the Conservatives before them, will continue to champion religious freedom abroad. But he said religious freedom should not be “disconnected” from other human rights.

“Human rights are interdependent, universal and indivisible,” he said. “How can you enjoy freedom of religion if you don’t have freedom of conscience? Freedom of speech? Freedom of mobility?”

The previous Conservative government established the Office of Religious Freedom inside the Foreign Affairs department (now known as Global Affairs Canada) in February 2013. Headed by an ambassador for religious freedom, its mandate is to speak out and work against religious intolerance.

Unless the Liberal government intervenes, however, Andrew Bennett’s three-year term as ambassador will expire Feb. 18. The office’s mandate and funding, which was set at about $5 million a year, also runs out on March 31.

Conservative foreign affairs critics and some faith groups, including organizations representing Jewish, Sikh and Ahmadiyya Muslim Canadians, have asked that the Liberals let the office continue its work. They say its mandate is more important now than ever, thanks to the role of religion in geopolitics.

But Dion, who described theocratism as a major obstacle to advancing of human rights in different countries, said championing all rights is essential. “All rights are together,” he said. “So that will be our approach to see improvements of human rights in Canada and around the world.”

Dion suggests end is nigh for office of religious freedom | Ottawa Citizen