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Evangelical Fellowship Calls Liberals’ Bluff on Religious Freedom

OTTAWA, February 2, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Liberal government, in its presentation of the same sex ‘marriage’ legislation, has made repeated assertions that religious ministers who object to homosexuality will not be forced to perform the ceremonies. Paul Martin told reporters, “This legislation makes it very clear, as does the Charter, that no church, no temple, no synagogue, no mosque, no religious official will be asked or forced to perform a marriage that is contrary to their beliefs.”

This safeguard, which was surprisingly accepted at face value and with expressions of gratitude by the Canadian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, is being treated with skepticism by other Christian groups. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada has issued a press release asking for concrete assurances from the Prime Minister.

EFC spokesman Janet Epp Buckingham warns that the federal government’s promises of protection are empty ones since marriage is a provincial jurisdiction. She said, “Religious freedom for religious and civil officials in relation to the solemnization of marriage can only be protected by provincial governments.”

Epp Buckingham writes that Martin's assurance that he will invoke the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to protect religious freedom is an empty promise. “The notwithstanding clause cannot be used to give the federal government authority to legislate (over Provincial jurisdiction) where it has none.”

For years now, the provinces have not moved to stop the use of the courts or extra judicial Human Rights Tribunals (HRT) by homosexual activists against Christians. In nearly every case, the courts and HRT’s have upheld the primacy of homosexual ‘rights’ over the right of religious freedom specified in the Charter. At the time of writing, a lay Catholic organization is awaiting a decision from the British Columbia HRT where they are being sued for refusing to rent a hall to two lesbians for a ‘wedding’ reception.

Epp Buckingham concludes, “We are therefore writing to ask you how you intend to ensure that religious freedom is protected? If you are making assurances to the Canadian public, you owe it to us to tell us how you will fulfill this promise.”

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See yesterday's LifeSiteNews.com reports on the same-sex marriage bill:

Deception, Propaganda and Puzzling Opposition Mark Day One of Canadian Same-Sex Marriage Bill
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/feb/05020114.html

Cotler Revealingly Praises “Constitutional Revolution” Caused by the Canadian Charter of Rights
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/feb/05020113.html

The Conservative Party Position – Pro-Marriage or Not?
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/feb/05020112.html

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