News

VANCOUVER, Nov 20 (LSN.ca) – Attacks against the Christian faith have continued from public officials and Canada’s public television broadcaster, the CBC. The defamatory comments from representatives of various political parties were topped off with Liberal Multiculturalism and Status of Women Minister Hedy Fry and Prime Minister Jean Chretien taking stabs at Christianity Friday.

Referring to a statement apparently made by Alliance Leader Stockwell Day that “Jesus Christ is the God of the whole universe,” Fry attacked Christian conviction saying, “We have a country in which a man [Stockwell Day] decides that it is up to him to take his religion and use it and abuse his political power by making all Canadians believe as he said that Jesus Christ is the God of the whole universe. I say that is an insult to every Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, everybody else who believes in other religions.”

When challenged by the media after her comments, Ms. Fry walked away instead of producing any evidence that Mr. Day was forcing his beliefs on others, let alone that he was the one introducing them into political debate. Rather, the media, led by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, have been the ones raising issues of religion.

Prime Minister Chretien also attacked Day for his decision to spend Sunday at church and with his family rather than on the campaign trail. Chretien said being prime minister is a seven-days-a-week job, “including Sunday.”

Reacting to the attack on Christianity, Gary Walsh, President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, told LifeSite: “All Canadians of any faith tradition have reason to be concerned over the recent statements made by public officials and the media that relegate historic Christian faith to the margins of society.”

The attacks appear to directed more to the fact that a prominent politician, of any faith, might actually allow traditional religious beliefs and especially, their related traditional morality, to play some role in his political agenda. Since the Trudeau era, Canadian political leaders have enforced an ideology of separation of politics from religion, including their own religion. This has allowed the permissive society to flourish.

(with quotes from the Vancouver Sun, Nov 18, 2000 and CBC’s The National 11/17/00)