Someone Alert The ACLU That Canada Leads The Way
For those who may have an uneasy feeling that a version of Krisalnacht might someday be replayed in America (and those closely watching the efforts of the ACLU, the rhetoric of the political left, and the power of an activist judiciary might be forgiven for such a feeling of uneasiness), I suggest that you take a look to our northern neighbor, Canada.
I think it is important, when considering possible threats to our liberties, to actually give our opponents the time of day and take seriously what they say. It is in that spirit that I direct you to a recent commentary broadcast on the government-run CBC radio in Canada, in which an accomplished and respected Canadian calls for government licensing and regulation of religous leaders and what they are permitted to preach, think and say. This, as the commentator says, is for the purpose of preserving the “separation of church and state”. Go figure. In the future, separation of church and state may mean nothing less than complete government control of churches.
Yes, that sounds alarmist and hyperbolic. But I’m not the one saying it. Read for yourself:
Here’s an excerpt:
I envisage a congress meeting to hammer out a code that would form the basis of legislation to regulate the practice of religion. Like the professional engineers’ P.Eng designation, there would then be RRPs (or registered religious practitioners). To carry the analogy to its conclusion, no one could be a religious practitioner without this qualification.
I won’t try to propose what might be in the new code except for a few obvious things: A key item would have to be a ban on claims of exclusivity. It should be unethical for any RRP to claim that theirs was the one true religion and believers in anything else or nothing were doomed to fire and brimstone. One might also expect prohibition of ritual circumcisions, bans on preaching hate or violence, the regulation of faith healers, protocols for missionary work, etc.
Now what is the point of proposing this? I do it because I am worried that the separation between church and state is under threat. Religion is important in our lives, but it can become a danger to society when people claim that the unalterable will of God is the basis for their opinions and actions. Yes religion can be a comfort and a guide, but we cannot take rules from our holy books and apply them to the modern world without democratic debate and due regard for the law.
You really should listen to the just over two-minute commentary for yourself (requires RealPlayer to listen). Note the calm, scholarly, and reasonable-sounding voice.
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Posted by ArrMatey on August 2, 2005 9:57 pm
» Filed Under 1st Amendment, Church And State
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10 Responses to “Someone Alert The ACLU That Canada Leads The Way”
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Syndicate Me
If we follow the lead of the socialists like Canada and the ACLU, seperation of Church and State may one day mean we have to go outside international waters to have a Church. At least one that preaches the truth.
Great post man. real eye opener.
Sounds more like they are crossing from Socialism into Communism.
What are they gonna call it?
“The Holy Doctrine of the State” which would be advertised as “Rewriting the Bible for the modern fool – logical thought analytically applied to meet both the need for a deity and the taxation revenue generated by licensed devotees”?
Can we all say a big “Praise the State”.
Not my cup of tea (this is where I suggest the whole boat is sunk, not just the tea) thank you.
Hurray for free speech!
As far as I know, Canada does not have an equivalent to the 1st Amendment. Nevertheless, people seem able to speak fairly freely there, even when their ideas may not be well-conceived.
(Is there an ACLU angle on this issue?)
ok..ill catch flak for this
im all for prayer in school…..howerver, the only real thing preventing it is the freedom to practice any relgion you want *or not to if you so choose)
and if there were prayer, who says what relgion shoudl be done…or if each student should just pray their own prayer, and not have it school led…..
its all like a very top heavy canoe in rough waters
Thank God I moved from Canada, but will I soon have to leave the USA as well? I have come to love this country-been here for almost 15 years, but it makes me sad (as it does about my homeland) To see so many people losing their unalienable rights-that are from God- not government. Sometimes I feel like I’ve read the Declaration, Federalist Papers and Constitution (This from someone who failed highschool history!) More than most of the liberals in Washington and their judges! Pitiful.
Prohibiting circumcision? Sounds like Nazi Germany to me. If I didn’t hear it I would never have believed it.
Oo, I didn’t even notice that one. Wasn’t there just a new study suggesting circumcision reduces transmission of sexually-transmitted diseases?
Your site is realy very interesting. http://www.bignews.com