Working toward a secular society takes time, determination and money. The MLQ (Mouvement Laïque Québécois/Quebec Secular Movement) has the determination and has taken the time to fight for the separation of church and government. In January of this year, the Supreme Court of Canada agreed to MLQ’s request “to consider whether elected officials should have the right to recite a prayer at Saguenay city council meetings.”
The MLQ has sent out an appeal for financial assistance to help pay the legal costs it has incurred in MLQ against Mayor Jean Tremblay:
In 2011, following a complaint by a citizen and by the MLQ, a human rights tribunal ordered city of Saguenay’s mayor, Jean Tremblay, to stop reciting a Catholic prayer at the beginning of every city hall meeting and to remove the Catholic symbols present in the institution. Mayor Tremblay appealed the judgment and, to our disbelief, had it overturned. The case is now in front of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Mouvement laïque québécois, et al. v. City of Saguenay, et al. is an important case for both secularists and the religious. As MLQ’s appeal points out
Contrary to what we too often hear, religious opinions are the first to gain a safe space with secularism, in privacy where they can be free from social pressure. Liberal democracy cannot exist without that secular space.
Today, we face a spate of court cases coming from politico-religious activists. Some resemble slapp suits aimed at silencing whoever publicly criticizes religion or religious activists. Other legal cases challenge the secular nature of Quebec and Canadian public institutions.
However, those against a secular society, those who fight for the supremacy of their particular brand of religion seem to be able to collect money to further their causes. Secularists and secular organizations who actively fight against religious interference in government, schools and in the public square deserve more than just praise; they deserve financial support. The MLQ is asking for your help
If you want to give us a hand, please distribute this plea among your members and associated networks. Even the most modest contribution is dearly needed and welcomed.
To make a donation, please follow this link to find our Paypal button: http://www.mlq.qc.ca/
Or you can write a cheque to:
Mouvement laïque québécois
CP 32132, Succursale Saint-André
Montréal, QC, CANADA
H2L 4Y5We thank you immensely for your support!
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