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There
is an ever-increasing call from certain segments of Canadian
society about “separation of church and state”.
In one prime example, Jean Chretien claimed he is a Catholic,
but banned prayer at the 9-11 memorial service, thereby
denying proper memorial remembrance and grieving of those
affected. In another case, a university was told it could
have a code of conduct as long as the teachers graduating
from the institution do not allow that code to affect
their actions during teaching.
Most
calls for separating church and state, though, seem to
arise every time a Christian or Christian leader expresses
a position that disagrees with the status quo on liberal
social policy, or when a foundational truth to the Christian
religion is defended and upheld.
Demanding,
or even suggesting, separation between church and the
state is discrimination bordering on hate.
It
is like suggesting that there be a separation between
the elderly, or women, or Chinese or Muslims or homosexuals
from the state. Separation of church and state suggests
denying full membership and status as citizens to a certain
segment of the population, based solely on their religious
views.
How
would liberal politicians, judges and the media respond
to the suggestion that any of these aforementioned groups
be separated from the state? The outcry from the liberal
segment would be loud and vehement. Lawsuits and human
rights complaints would be filed by frenzied activists,
and the media would be crawling all over their editors
to express their horror over this shocking infringement
on human rights, dignity and respect.
So
why does the “politically correct herd” consider
it so vogue to make statements like “ensure separation
of church and state” or “religion has no place
in politics”. The real reasons are surfacing in our
courts and in Parliament as in the examples cited above.
Our nation would not have been embarrassed on the world
stage had that ideology not driven the PM’s decision.
Courts apply justice wrongly when guided by just such
ideology.
If
we began to respond to such calls for “separation”
by filing complaints with human rights commissions or
filing suit in a court for discrimination, bigotry, or
even hatred would the repose be respected? We would soon
see if the Human Rights Commissions are really neutral
and doing what we taxpayers pay them to do – defend
the rights of all citizens in this nation. We would soon
see where the courts stand on this fundamental issue.
Would they allow the denial of citizenship rights to religious
people, or would they uphold true justice?
To
suggest that I or any other individual who holds a religious
view does not have a right to be engaged in democracy,
government, and all other functions of society, is blatantly
discriminatory, perhaps even rooted in hate.
The
time has come to expose the hateful attitudes of those
who would suggest “separation of the church and state”.
Let us begin to realize that people who hold to religious
values are entitled to the same rights as every other
citizen, without prejudice. Those who argue for separation
of church and state should be exposed for what they really
are – anti-religious bigots exercising discrimination
and hate against people of religion and faith.
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