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Gay Activists Claim Opposition to Gay “Marriage” Exempts Churches from Charitable Tax Status

OTTAWA, June 13, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Homosexual activist Kevin Bourassa, co-sponsor of equalmarriage.ca, along with his “spouse,” Joe Varnell – whose Ontario court win paved the way for same-sex “marriage” for Canada – claimed Sunday that churches who vocally oppose the legalization of same-sex “marriage” for Canada should have their charitable status revoked, for participating in politics.

“We have no problem with the Catholic Church or any other faith group promoting bigotry,” Bourassa charged, as reported by the Ottawa Citizen. “We have a problem with the Canadian government funding that bigotry.”

Federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler admitted Wednesday that, under the proposed Liberal same-sex “marriage” bill, there would be no guarantees of protection for religious organizations that refuse to “marry” homosexuals.

Calgary Bishop Fred Henry was called and warned by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency last year not to engage in partisan rhetoric during an election for comments the bishop made about Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Associate secretary general of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Bede Hubbard said that Church involvement in forming public opinion on matters of morals is perfectly legitimate and legal. “Right from the very beginning, the representatives of the government have called on Canadians to express their opinions,” Hubbard said. “And certainly, Canadian churches are among Canadian citizens.”

Some politicians and several religious groups are calling for an amendment to the bill to include a provision that churchs’ tax status would not be challenged. “The loss of the charitable tax status would really affect the ability of these ministries to carry out their functions,” said Evangelical Fellowship of Canada director of law and public policy Janet Epp Buckingham. “That includes a lot of things that are beneficial to society, like homeless ministries, outreach to the poor, and international development.”

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Canadian Government Admits Religions Not Protected Under Federal Gay ‘Marriage’ Legislation
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jun/05060902.html
Canada Tax Authority Warns Calgary Bishop to Avoid "Partisan" Rhetoric during Elections
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/sep/04092902.html
Canadian Bishop Details Government Threats Over Church Teaching on Same-Sex ‘Marriage’
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jun/05060805.html

See the Ottawa Citizen report: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=7799b5f4-f6ca-4dd4...

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