- separate Harper and the State

Posted: 3:33pm, 16 May '10

Stephen Harper and religion, Susan Delacourt on Politics
http://thestar.blogs.com/politics/2010/05/stephen-harper-and-religion.html

It is coming to light that Harper is basing his policies on his personal religious beliefs, thus blurring the separation of Church and State, transforming Canada into a non-secular, religious state despite that at least 2/3rds of all Canadians are being marginalized. The separation of state and Church is vital to our way of life. We are not Iran. Canada's political system is not a facade of Democratic process with the Executive being made up of religious extremists who wield the real power and make policy.

Government policy based on religious beliefs caters to a minority and marginalizes a majority in a diverse society, by the very meaning of 'diverse society' it must. It results in policies that are emotionally based, divest of rationality with no consideration for what it best for all Canadians, except what a small minority of the self-righteous thinks is best for everyone else. It also inflicts beliefs that are extreme, harsh and even cruel, intolerant and not representative of a vast number of Canadians. In actuality it can represent an infringement of religious freedom that is not justifiable in a free and democratic society.

The Harper tough on Crime is a prime example. As it turns out they have nothing to support their position to say that it is in the best interest of all Canadians. In fact, all the evidence points to the exact opposite. This is illustrated by the Report just released (Sep.'09) by Graham Stewart, Prof Michael Jackson, et al.

The response by the Con’s, “The professor has a different philosophy than us,” then Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan (to CBC). You got that Right Van Loan.

Then of course there is the 'Theo-Con' position of Canada on International family planning and the withdrawal of financial support for those NGOP's that include abortion in their family planning programs. Who Internationally will understand that Canada is not a religious state comparable to Iran. That Canada's policies ought to be based on rational considerations based on the facts and for the good of all, not emotionalism and the religious beliefs of a few. Likely very few, I have a lot of trouble understanding this, so how can we expect the rest of the world to understand it.

As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated this last week in Ottawa to Harper and the Con's, "Where abortion is legal, it should be safe." Now that's something that people can understand.

We can't forget the withdrawing of funding for the Gay Rights Parade in Toronto either.

It took hundreds of years to separate the Church from government and we must vigilant not to allow it to insinuate itself again. I haven't had a chance to read Marci McDonald's book (how much does it cost, anyway) nor her article at walrusmagazine.com,
The rising clout of Canada’s religious right, Marci McDonald, Oct.'06
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/2006.10-politics-religion-stephen-harper-and-the-theocons/

but I salute any who stand up to defend our freedoms and cherished way of life.

The Canada our forefathers built with their blood, sweat and tears is a tolerant, moderate, multi-faceted nation (of course, that's what separation of State and Church is all about). We should all demand the Canada of our forefathers back.

During the Second World War Many many tens of thousands of Canadians died and endured severe hardship for many years of their lives fighting tyranny and for a free society where everyone could express their feeling and opinions and seek a full and satisfying life. These men and women were the ones that brought in and established The Charter of Rights and Freedoms as a pinnacle of their efforts and provide the means for future generations to ensure these freedoms and defend ourselves against tyranny.

I want my Canada back - separate Stephen Harper and the State.

Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html