God Bless Canada??? (continued)

Canada Immigration Forum (discussion group)


 
       
Subject: God Bless Canada??? (continued)
  I don´t mean to keep this thread going if we´re all talked out about it, but I had to have my 2 cents.

Anonymous is correct here. The head of government (PM) should not make statements requesting the assistance of a supernatural being on behalf of the government. He can do that privately in church or elsewhere, if he so wishes. But when he speaks publicly in his official capacity, it is inappropriate.

Sharon, you´re really out of line on this. And given your cool, collected, and wise commentary in assisting many here, this is quite surprising.

Richard

[20-03-2006,15:04]
[***.131.12.0]
Richard
(in reply to: God Bless Canada??? (continued))
Richard, he said God Bless Canada. He did not ask God to give us victory over the evil invaders. He did not invoke the wrath of God on anyone that holds a different religious view... he said ´God Bless Canada´. That does not turn Canada into a religious state.

Can anyone recall what else Harper said that day? I cannot believe we are so fixated on anthing that remotely smells like a religious belief. Beliefs don´t automatically make you a fundamentalist whacko just like being Muslim does not automatically make you a jihad terrorist.

Canada does a very good job of separating church and state. I am highly offended when political correctness and tolerance only cuts one way.



[20-03-2006,15:22]
[***.181.198.246]
Sharon
(in reply to: God Bless Canada??? (continued))
Let me remind you, Sharon, that religious references of any kind by a government official in official capacity are viewed by many as inapproprate at best and offensive at worst. Given that the PM represents all Canadians, it only follows that such statements demean what this county is about and what differentiates Canada and other progressive counries from religious fanaticism.

Saying it´s ok because of some tradition or because it´s somehow just an ineffectual phrase is no justification. We´ve already seen the impact of religious phraseology in official statements from Islamic countries, the current right-wing U.S. leadership, and a number of third world nations.

From my perpective, if I´m with a group of people and I know something I say will please half and offend the other half, it only follows that I don´t need to say it all.

So I and a number of others here beg to differ. Ok, I´m finished and I don´t think I´ll change your opinion either. But it´s good to share thoughts. Nothing to be offended about when politely discussing opinions.

[20-03-2006,15:46]
[***.131.12.0]
Richard
(in reply to: God Bless Canada??? (continued))
Richard, are you Canadian?

I feel very strongly about this subject. We have gone waaaaaay too far in our attempt to strip our politicians of any right to a personal value system and we have pushed the notion of political correctness in to a realm of absurdity.

Tommy Douglas gave Canada our healthcare program. He was a preacher. I sure you would not even want him in the government based on your comments because he had religious beliefs.

Sorry, I 110% disagree with you.

[20-03-2006,15:56]
[***.181.198.246]
Sharon
(in reply to: God Bless Canada??? (continued))
Sharon, everyone has the right to a personal value system. Nobody´s trying to restrict that. The difference is why push your value system on me by referring to it when in official capacity and in official speeches? Is this necessary? If I were PM, would it be ok with you if I publicly asked for Allah´s assistance in reforming HealthCanada and then requesting the angel Moroni help me prepare my next speech to Parliament?

I suspect you believe in supernatural events and cannot disassociate yourself as a neutral observer in this discussion.

[20-03-2006,16:09]
[***.131.12.0]
Richard
(in reply to: God Bless Canada??? (continued))
have you ever considered ´athiesm´ as a form of religion as well? You hold to your values as strongly as those who wish to acknowledge some form of higher power.

Neutral? you are no more neutral than I am.

I am done with this subject. Next time, pay more attention to the content of the politicians speach rather than his closing salutation.

[20-03-2006,16:26]
[***.181.198.246]
Sharon
(in reply to: God Bless Canada??? (continued))
I don´t know why you´re so angry. I enjoy discussions and exchanging ideas. You may want to consider that the reason many want to immigrate to Canada is to get away from the theistic systems that are so oppressive in their home countries. When they then see their aspiring country´s leader calling upon his deity for assistance, it gives pause. This is what you saw in earlier responses to this thread from some hopeful applicants.

You may want to change your lecturing tone about what I´m supposed to do "next time". Maybe you should try to be more objective and considerate in your views of how others perceive religion in society.

[20-03-2006,17:39]
[***.131.12.0]
Richard
(in reply to: God Bless Canada??? (continued))
The acknowledgement of God and reference to it/him/her is part of our Canadian history, and cultural fabric. That does not make us a theistic system nor does it make Canada oppressive. Why should Canada throw the baby out with the bathwater just because some other countries do not know the meaning of the world inclusive and tolerance.




[20-03-2006,18:01]
[***.181.198.246]
Sharon
(in reply to: God Bless Canada??? (continued))
Okay, Sharon, I respect your views on this. But I´m not sure everyone would agree that because reference to God was made in Canada´s distant past means that Canada´s leader´s should now refer to Him publicly for help. None in recent memory before this one have. Let the PM do that in church, and you can join him there too. Just keep personal beliefs in myths within the personal private domain.

C´mon, aren´t you having a good time or are you getting upset with me?


[20-03-2006,18:13]
[***.131.12.0]
Richard
(in reply to: God Bless Canada??? (continued))
there is nothing amusing about curtailing the freedom of speech or freedom of religion- PM or not.
[20-03-2006,21:15]
[***.181.198.246]
Sharon
(in reply to: God Bless Canada??? (continued))
Oh please. Save that self-righteousness for church. This has nothing to due with curtailing free speech or religion. Just don´t force it on me while I pay the PM his salary, ok? Why is that so hard to understand?

Maybe you ought to leave your safe confines in Canada and move to the the evangelical, Bible-belt U.S. south - you might feel right at home.

[20-03-2006,21:38]
[**.53.231.75]
Anonymous