The practice was declared illegal following an Ontario Court of Appeals ruling in 1999. Illegal or not, it should stop. It's a really dumb idea.
But that's not what the Council Members of Durham Region think, according to an article in today's Toronto Star [Durham praises the Lord]. The Mayor of Oshawa, John Gray says,
God is the Supreme Being. Period. Full stopThe locals came out in force to support the council. Apparently they want to make sure everyone who attends Council meetings gets the message. Durham is a Christian county—nobody else is welcome.
What are they thinking? What possible benefits come from reciting the Lord's Prayer in a public meeting? If you're a Christian who really needs help from God before deciding anything, then surely you can mumble quietly to yourself before taking your seat?
If you're not a Christian council member then being forced to listen to a Christian prayer is at best useless, and at worst damn annoying and insulting. The only benefit is the bigoted message it sends to everyone else in the room. It says "we're a bunch of Christians" nobody else should run for office.
The real shocker came from seeing the two other councils that recite the Lord's Prayer before meetings: Mississauga and Brampton. That's my neck of the woods. I've written to my council member Katie Mahoney.
8 comments :
I am reminded of a comment made by a fellow student (back in grad school) who was (and probably still is) Canadian. She said "Canada does not have a Bill of Rights because we don't need one. That kind of stuff just does not happen in Canada."
Glad to see this shit isn't going on in Halton.
they are using religion to divide people? how wrong
Greg Laden says,
I am reminded of a comment made by a fellow student (back in grad school) who was (and probably still is) Canadian. She said "Canada does not have a Bill of Rights because we don't need one. That kind of stuff just does not happen in Canada."
Canada passed a Bill or Rights in 1960. It has been superceded by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Her point was partially correct, though. In Canada we tend not to settle issues with lawyers.
I live in Oshawa and our local newspaper has been flooded with letters from people defending the Lord's Prayer, telling us how Canada is goin' ta hell if we abandon the Lord's Prayer, how those evil secularists are 'forcing' us to give up our heritage, etc.
Examples here, here, and here.
Larrry: Well, I didn't say she was a student of government .... I guess Canadians are capable of not knowing their civics.
Secular Ontario's idea of a moment of silence in place of the Lord's prayer was brilliant. That way all could worship, or not according to their own conscience. Of course, common sense doesn't seem to be popular amongst theists.
I think enough is enough, now it is high time to stand up and do not let any body Abuse the Religious Heritage of Heavenly Country, it was the gift of heavenly. All mighty to the early Christians, who obediently and faithfully acted the way Almighty wanted. How can we now condo, abuse his gift.Let us see the Lords prayer in detail.
1. Our Father in heaven
Creator of all humans on earth
2. Your name is worthy to be praised
All religion praise his name
3. His kingdom come on earth as in heaven.
In his kingdom no bloodshed ,peace and prosperity all over
4. Give us our daily bread
Our human needs to live
5. Forgive us our trespasses and let we forgive others
Don’t we need to have a mutual loving society
6. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Satan)
Who would like to go under the influence of Satan?
7. Your kingdom and Glory be for ever
Don’t we wish his kingdom and Glory?
Dear Countrymen Let don’t allow the SATAN to establish his kingdom in this Heavenly country.
Thus it is very clear like day light That Lord Prayer is not only for the Christians but for everyone.
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