|
LETHBRIDGE,
Alberta - The Christian Heritage Party of Canada (CHP)
and its Leader Ron Gray are being investigated by the
Canadian Human Rights Commission after a homosexual
activist complained of material published on the Party's
website he claims is offensive to homosexuals.
Homosexual
activist Rob Wells of Edmonton, had previously launched
human rights complaints against Christian activist Craig
Chandler in Alberta and has now made formal complaints
against the CHP and Gray. Wells took issue with a 2002
WorldNetDaily news story republished on the CHP webpage
as well as three Christian Heritage Party communiqués
written by Gray.
The
WorldNetDaily article in question concerned a study
which found "Pedophilia more common among 'gays'".
(see the item here: http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=27431)
Of
the three communiqués, one was issued in 2004
and two in 2005. The first of these condemned the actions
of the self-styled "gay militia" who disrupted
a Christian meeting by shouting down the speaker. Gray
used strong language to condemn the actions citing the
gay militia, the "militant secularists and homosexuals"
as the true "hate criminals." He noted that
homosexual activists work to "normalize sexual
perversion" in schools because they "want
to recruit our children into their debauched lifestyle."
(See it here: http://www.chp.ca/arc-CHP-Communique/communique_11_17.htm)
The
second took issue with Canada's bill to legalize same-sex
'marriage', saying, "Why would anyone even contemplate
putting the nation's children at risk to pander to the
sexual appetites of a tiny minority of mentally-ill
adults?" Gray added: "Yes, I said 'mentally
ill', noting that many psychiatrists still consider
homosexuality a treatable disorder. (See it here: http://www.chp.ca/arc-CHP-communique/communique_12_21.htm)
The
third item dealt with Canada's "cone of silence"
around all discussion related to homosexuality. The
facts on homosexuality he stated are: "homosexuality
is a treatable illness; homosexuality is abnormal; homosexuality
is extremely unhealthy, shortening life expectancy by
decades." (see it here: http://www.chp.ca/arc-CHP-Communique/communique_12_13.htm)
In
an interview with LifeSiteNews.com, Gray maintained
he does not harbour any ill will toward persons with
same-sex attractions, in fact just the opposite.
"Christians
are probably the best friends homosexuals have in the
world because we want to see them delivered from an
addiction that will shorten their lives in this world
and condemn them in the next", said Gray. "I'm
not motivated by hate at all. I would guess that very
few if any real Christians are motivated by hate in
their response to these issues. It's a question of compassion."
Gray
added: "Who truly loves you, someone who tells
you the truth even when it hurts, or someone who will
tell you you're okay even when you're headed down the
wrong road. The Scripture says 'Faithful are the wounds
of a friend, and deceitful are the kisses of an enemy."
The
CHP Leader believes that the case is of highest importance
also for the Conservative Government in Canada. "I
really think this is a crucial case because if an agency
of the government, which the CHRC is, can tell a political
party what it may and may not include in its political
statements we have gone way down the road to totalitarianism,"
he said.
Gray
says he wants to win the case but not by compromise
but in a way which affirms freedom of religion, thought
and political rights in Canada. Rather than arguing
before the human rights tribunals, Gray would prefer
the case moves to the courts where the burden of proof
is more stringent.
Moreover,
says Gray, if Wells "truly believes I'm motivated
by hate, he should charge me with a hate crime"
under the existing Canadian hate crime law.
"I'm
willing to go to jail over this," Gray told LifeSiteNews.com.
Costs
for the initial defense before the tribunal are expected
to come to $20,000. Canadian Human Rights procedures
give overwhelming advantage to plaintiffs. Defendents
are liable not only for their own costs but also for
those of the plaintiff plus fines should the complaint
be upheld.
To
donate to Gray's defense fund:
Ron
Gray legal defense fund
Ron McDonald law office
406 Stafford Dr. South
Lethbridge AB
T1J 2L2
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/nov/07112706.html
|
