This Week in Religion 2017-11-12

by | November 12, 2017

 

By Scott Douglas Jacobsen

“FREDERICTON — Governor General Julie Payette, who faced criticism for a speech last week that some said mocked people of faith, praised Canada’s tolerance and freedom of religion Tuesday.

She told the New Brunswick legislature that Canada is in a fortunate position to be able to make a difference, because the country is rich in values.

“Our values are tolerance and determination, and freedom of religion, freedom to act, opportunities, equality of opportunities amongst everyone and for all,” she said.”

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/11/08/governor-general-julie-payette-praises-canadas-freedom-of-religion-tolerance-in-n-b-speech_a_23270517/.

“OTTAWA — Disrupting a religious service is likely to remain a crime, since MPs on the House of Commons justice committee have agreed to change a controversial part of proposed legislation aimed at modernizing the Criminal Code.

This spring, the Liberal government moved to rid the Criminal Code of sections that are redundant or obsolete, including those which involve challenging someone to a duel or fraudulently pretending to practice witchcraft.

One of the changes proposed in Bill C-51 would have removed Section 176, which makes it a crime to use threat or force to obstruct a clergyman or minister from celebrating a worship service or carrying out any other duty related to his job.”

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/11/10/bill-c-51-disrupting-a-religious-service-likely-to-stay-a-crime-as-liberals-move-to-modernize-laws_a_23273326/.

“In July 1925, the State of Tennessee put a substitute biology teacher named John Thomas Scopes on trial for teaching children about evolution in the Tennessee public schools.

The American Civil Liberties Union hired Clarence Darrow as the defence in what H.L. Mencken, writing for the Baltimore Sun, coined as the ‘Scopes Monkey Trial’.

The sensational trial took place in Dayton, Tennessee and was covered blow by blow on radio throughout the United States, as the colourful and bombastic three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan argued for the prosecution. It was seen as a case pitting religion against science.”

Source: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/11/06/opinion/science-v-religion-and-new-governor-general-under-fire.

“OTTAWA, November 10, 2017 (LifeSiteNews) — After huge backlash from the public, faith leaders and pro-family groups, a Liberal-dominated committee voted to keep Canada’s only law explicitly protecting religious services and clergy on the books.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government nixed the section from the Criminal Code in Bill C-51, legislation intended to clear allegedly redundant, unconstitutional, or outdated sections from the Criminal Code.

But in its review of Bill C-51, the House of Commons justice committee voted Wednesday to keep Section 176 in force.”

Source: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/avalanche-of-opposition-forces-canadian-govt-to-keep-protections-for-religi.

“As far as religion goes I am all for people celebrating their religion (every religion) as long as they understand there are times and places to practice, such as in their homes and buildings dedicated to such practice.

The reality is religion does not trump law and laws are usually created to protect us from very real danger. I wonder how the bank would feel if I wanted to do my banking in a balaclava.

It’s not about not letting someone wear a piece of cloth on their face its about the ignorance it represents and the threat one being able to totally cover their face imposes.”

Source: http://ottawasun.com/opinion/letters/you-said-it-religion-and-trudeau-ditching-remembrance-day.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen founded In-Sight Publishing and In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal.

Category: Features Tags: ,

About Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Scott Douglas Jacobsen is the Founder of In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal and In-Sight Publishing. Jacobsen works for science and human rights, especially women’s and children’s rights. He considers the modern scientific and technological world the foundation for the provision of the basics of human life throughout the world and advancement of human rights as the universal movement among peoples everywhere. You can contact Scott via email, his website, or Twitter.

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