Evangelical Group Warns that Religious Statements Not Exempt from Hate Crime Law

OTTAWA, September 22, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) is disturbed that Bill C-250 has passed. This legislation adds “sexual orientation” to the prohibited groups in the hate propaganda section of the Criminal Code.  “We do not condone, in any way, the promotion of hatred against anyone or any group, says Bruce Clemenger, president of the EFC.  “However, the ambiguity of what this bill will capture may well silence what otherwise would be legitimate public comment on issues of sexual morality.” Thousands of Canadians wrote to their Members of Parliament expressing concerns that religious freedom was not adequately protected in the legislation. Many politicians pacified their constituents by indicating that there is a defence allowing people to make “good faith statements on a religious subject.”  However, in the two legal cases where an accused person tried to use the defence, the courts ruled that if a statement incites hatred, it cannot be considered a good faith statement on a religious subject. This makes the defences totally inadequate to protect religious freedom.  “It is a very serious matter to criminalize expression on a particular subject,” says Janet Epp Buckingham, director of Law and Public Policy for the EFC. “We are concerned that the defences regarding religious freedom are not adequate protection. The timing of this legislation certainly makes it look as though it is intended to muzzle opposition to same-sex marriage.”  C-250 must next be passed by the Senate before it gain Royal Assent and become law.  To contact Canadian Senators see https://www.lifesitenews.com/clc/political_lists/canadian_senators.htm