In Canada, we do not have “separation of Church and State”, but rather a mention in the Preamble of the Canadian Charter of Rights that states “Canada is founded upon the principles that recognizes the supremacy of God.” Is it the timidity of our Canadian culture that allows this? Can anyone say with a straight face that the God in this statement is not a Christian God?
Is anyone else affronted by mandatory prayer before public meetings? This is accepted in this country (see http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2004/2004canlii13978/2004canlii13978.html). Is anyone else insulted by statements by public officials broadcasting their versions of religiosity onto others?
What if you were a Buddhist? Agnostic. Atheist, or even a card carrying member of any of the other traditional religions, that wasn't part of the 'Christian Nation”? You certainly wouldn't hope to win an election.
I've searched high and low to find some understanding. There really is none. At least none that define a secular humanist approach on a national level, never mind regional. But on this score, there are many counts of sabotage from the Christian right. Yes, we can certainly hear from that end of the spectrum. For the Christian right it is time “to stake out a clear Christian position, and to use this Christian position to take back confidently and relentlessly the ground stolen by Secular Humanists in their campaign to become the driving force and establishment voice in Canada” (see http://www.christiangovernment.ca/book_intro.php for a good laugh; people will have to assess whether this, and comments like this are only from an extremest view, or more closer to the norm that we could possibly admit).
For myself I am ashamed of my ignorance and timidity. I am sincerely despondent of the void beyond my simple ramblings, though for certain I know I am not alone. It is our collective acceptance and complacency without mature, healthy dialogue that worries me even more.
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