Toews- prison Chaplains for Christians only-

[Locutus]

There ya have it. That leaves about 1800 folks (that won't be inside long anyway). They can be ministered/imammed by volunteers from their respective mosques, temples, shacks, clubhouses and such. No biggie but they don't need to be on the public teat.

 

[karrie]

I don't think we should be paying for any of them.

 

[WLDB]

I don't think we should be paying for any of them.

Im leaning towards that now as well. Let the Christian ones volunteer their time to come and see the inmates. It is more of a Christian thing to do than to be paid to do it.

But I don't think it would be reasonable for the taxpayer to cater to one prisoner if he's the sole follower of a religion (or a very small minority like wiccan) within the prison system.

Do non-Christians not pay taxes?

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Don't they normally have inter-faith ministers in most institutions? Since when did they have seperate clergy?

Where I have seen chaplins, he/she is inter-denominational and while may be christian, can and will do what is required for other religions.

 

[Niflmir]

There are nearly 15,000 inmates in federal custody and a large majority of them identify themselves as Christian:

58% are Catholic.
30% are Protestant.
7% are Muslim.
3% are Buddhist.
1% are Jewish.
1% are Sikh.

Really? The federal prison population is 0% atheist? That's suspiciously impressive.

 

[Goober]

quote:There are nearly 15,000 inmates in federal custody and a large majority of them identify themselves as Christian:

58% are Catholic.
30% are Protestant.
7% are Muslim.
3% are Buddhist.
1% are Jewish.
1% are Sikh.

I would have thought Catholic and protestant chaplains would be interchangeable.

In the Military we have Padres- Chaplains- They can be RC- Anglican- Baptist - UCC- I never heard of any soldier having an issue with that.

When speaking of Interfaith- Would a Christian feel comfortable talking to an Imam- or vice versa- this is just another reason to give Toews an FFn paper route and send him on his way.

So Stevie what are you gonna do now.

 

[darkbeaver]

The solution of course is televised services and phone in confessions and consultations. We will only need twenty millions or so for the wide screens.

 

[SLM]

Where I have seen chaplins, he/she is inter-denominational and while may be christian, can and will do what is required for other religions.

Exactly, it's about ministering and counselling in matters concerning spirituality, that's where the focus is, not the church. I've generally found them to be very open, welcoming and easy to talk to, irrespective of their 'home church'. Probably because they're accustomed to stepping outside of the normal confines of church doctrine.

Really? The federal prison population is 0% atheist? That's suspiciously impressive.

Doesn't everyone find religion in prison?

 

[Tonington]

This is reasonable. With the hundreds of religions we have today, it's not practical to cater to all of them.

That wasn't the case at all.

Figures obtained by CBC News show that before the contract cancellations — which will take effect by the end of March 2013 — there were about 80 full-time chaplains across the country and all but one are Christian. There are about 100 part-time chaplains, 20 of them non-Christian.

 

[wizard]

... the federal government will continue to issue these inflammatory statements on a daily basis until they're run out of office ...

 

[Goober]

Exactly, it's about ministering and counselling in matters concerning spirituality, that's where the focus is, not the church. I've generally found them to be very open, welcoming and easy to talk to, irrespective of their 'home church'. Probably because they're accustomed to stepping outside of the normal confines of church doctrine.

And they are not conversant with all the rules shall we say of Judaism, Muslims and Sikhs -

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

In the Military we have Padres- Chaplains- They can be RC- Anglican- Baptist - UCC- I never heard of any soldier having an issue with that.

When speaking of Interfaith- Would a Christian feel comfortable talking to an Imam- or vice versa- this is just another reason to give Toews an FFn paper route and send him on his way.

So Stevie what are you gonna do now.

I have had very spiritual discussions with an Iman. If Christians don't feel comfortable, its probably more due to overexposure to FOX News than anything else. Of course, I am also sure that there are some Imans who are not as open as the one here in a major metropolitan area.

 

[SLM]

And they are not conversant with all the rules shall we say of Judaism, Muslims and Sikhs -

Why do you say that? From what I've gathered from the few that I've met, they are extremely supportive of helping individuals to celebrate their faith. They make it their business to know what they need to know.

 

[Goober]

Why do you say that? From what I've gathered from the few that I've met, they are extremely supportive of helping individuals to celebrate their faith. They make it their business to know what they need to know.

How many are experts on the Talmud. Few if any -

http://judaism.about.com/od/denominationsofjudaism/p/branches.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_religious_movements

http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/denominations.htm

 

[wulfie68]

Well, I have to confess I am not big on catering to those who have violated the rights of others (or religion for that matter). I am also pragmatic enough to recognize that religious counseling can assist in rehabilitation of those who are redeemable. I would rather see various communities donate their chaplains to minister to their flocks than anything else, HOWEVER if we are going to spend this tax payer money, religious discrimination has no place.

Now I will also say that while this policy may be discriminatory on some levels, it may be less so than some think/claim. Many ordained clergy of various denominations, hold degrees (often doctorates) in theology, that go beyond their particular sect, which in turn can help them counsel those of other faiths. In other words, it shouldn't be that big of a deal to have multi-faith chaplains in place. For that matter, a chaplain doesn't need to be an expert in theology all the time, more often, just a friendly ear and a calm voice.

 

[taxslave]

Really? The federal prison population is 0% atheist? That's suspiciously impressive.

My understanding is picking a religion helps with getting time off for good behavior. If you find god you get extra brownie points. DOn't know if it matters which god or if any one will do. Probably the one your PO talks to is best.

 

[gopher]

I don't think we should be paying for any of them.

Let the churches pay for that service themselves.

 

[CDNBear]

The First Nations healing circles and spiritual services and smudges are all done by volunteers.

No changes there.

Seems like a whole lotta chinoodin to me.

 

[Machjo]

Toews- prison Chaplains for Christians only- Rest best convert

Dear Stevie- WTF

Non-Christian prison chaplains chopped by Ottawa - British Columbia - CBC News

The federal government is cancelling the contracts of all non-Christian chaplains at federal prisons, CBC News has learned.

Inmates of other faiths, such as Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jews, will be expected to turn to Christian prison chaplains for religious counsel and guidance, according to the office of Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, who is also responsible for Canada’s penitentiaries.

Toews made headlines in September when he ordered the cancellation of a tender issued for a Wiccan priest for federal prisons in B.C.

Toews said he wasn't convinced part-time chaplains from other religions were an appropriate use of taxpayer money and that he would review the policy.

In an email to CBC News, Toews' office says that as a result of the review, the part-time non-Christian chaplains will be let go and the remaining full-time Christian chaplains in prisons will now provide interfaith services and counselling to all inmates.

"The minister strongly supports the freedom of religion for all Canadians, including prisoners,” the email states. “However, the government … is not in the business of picking and choosing which religions will be given preferential status through government funding. The minister has concluded … [Christian] chaplains employed by Corrections Canada must provide services to inmates of all faiths."
88% of inmates Christian

There are nearly 15,000 inmates in federal custody and a large majority of them identify themselves as Christian:

58% are Catholic.
30% are Protestant.
7% are Muslim.
3% are Buddhist.
1% are Jewish.
1% are Sikh.

Figures obtained by CBC News show that before the contract cancellations — which will take effect by the end of March 2013 — there were about 80 full-time chaplains across the country and all but one are Christian. There are about 100 part-time chaplains, 20 of them non-Christian.

The total cost of the chaplain program is about $6.4 million a year and it's not clear what amount will be saved by the cancellations.
Chaplains concerned

The decision has raised concern among representatives of non-Christian faiths, such as B.C. Sikh chaplain Hark rat Singh.

“I believe this is discrimination,” Singh said. "How can a Christian chaplain provide spirituality to the Sikh faith, because they don't have that expertise."

One basic principle of justice is that what applies to one applies to all. So, if you're gonna cut funding for other chaplains, it only makes sense to do so for Christians too. It's not the government's job to pick and choose here, and yet the Minister has done just taht. Simple question, Why not keep all the Muslim ones and let the Christian ones go? Of the Buddhist ones, etc. He is picking winners and losers here.

The First Nations healing circles and spiritual services and smudges are all done by volunteers.

No changes there.

Seems like a whole lotta chinoodin to me.

So why can't the Christians volunterr too?

Well, I have to confess I am not big on catering to those who have violated the rights of others (or religion for that matter). I am also pragmatic enough to recognize that religious counseling can assist in rehabilitation of those who are redeemable. I would rather see various communities donate their chaplains to minister to their flocks than anything else, HOWEVER if we are going to spend this tax payer money, religious discrimination has no place.

Now I will also say that while this policy may be discriminatory on some levels, it may be less so than some think/claim. Many ordained clergy of various denominations, hold degrees (often doctorates) in theology, that go beyond their particular sect, which in turn can help them counsel those of other faiths. In other words, it shouldn't be that big of a deal to have multi-faith chaplains in place. For that matter, a chaplain doesn't need to be an expert in theology all the time, more often, just a friendly ear and a calm voice.

And you expect them to be objective? Sure they could be, but not on taxpayers' money. Also, be aware that many Muslim and Jewish clergy have doctorates too.

 

[wulfie68]

And you expect them to be objective? Sure they could be, but not on taxpayers' money.

Yes, I expect anyone in that environment,especially if they are funded by the government to be objective: it should be part of their mission statement/job description. If they can't be objective and put evangelistic behaviour behind their primary mission (ministering to the needs of the inmate) then they have no business being in there.

Also, be aware that many Muslim and Jewish clergy have doctorates too.

Where did I state that the theological education level was specific to one sect? I didn't because I know this to be the case. I will also state my belief that those who have spent more time studying the various theologies may be more tolerant towards other faiths, as they will have a better understanding of both the similarities AND differences, especially when it comes to the Judaic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam).