*Dominion From Sea To Sea
Law bans prayer
Editorial
Ending the practice of reciting the Lord's Prayer in the Ontario legislature is long overdue.
As I am sure Dalton McGuinty is aware, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled, in the case of Freitag vs Town of Penetanguishene (1999), the practice of beginning city council meetings with the Lord's prayer to be illegal and a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights. Saying this Christian prayer in an official government setting is in violation of Ontario law.
By bringing this proposal forward, the premier is acknowledging the rule of law. He is attempting to end the practice of favouring Christians over non-Christians. He is respecting the concept of equality of all citizens.
The next logical step in respecting the equality rights of all Ontarians, of course, is to eliminate the superior education privileges Ontario Roman Catholics now enjoy under the current system, by moving to a single secular school system. Maybe that's next.
Peter W. Jones
Brantford
[ *Psalm 72:8 - Canada's official motto since 1921 ]
"God keep our land...glorious and free!!!"
Sad day...
9:44 AM
the world needs Jesus
3:19 PM
Mr Peter W Jones doesn't have his facts straight.
Mr Freitag said his freedom of religion was being infringed upon and the court upheld that but what Mr Peter W Jones left out here was the court's recommendations.
All was not lost and btw any Christian Canadian could go to the courts and have their rights to freedom of religion defended as well. This is why the courts DID NOT rule the prayer ILLEGAL. A compromise was made which Mr Freitag had to abide by.
Here is the article of the outcome of that court case found here
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/en/
timePortals/milestones/146mile.asp
School Prayers and Freedom of Religion
Penetanguishene, Ontario
September 23, 1999
In 1999, Penetanguishene had a 100 year tradition of opening town council meetings with the mayor's recital of the "Lord's Prayer."
Henry Freitag, a concerned town citizen, felt uneasy about having to stand for a prayer to a god he didn't believe in. Furthermore, he had decided not to run for office precisely because the custom of reciting the "Lord's Prayer" ran contrary to his personal beliefs.
(He didn't agree with those like Councillor Robins, also a non-Christian, who didn't object to the tradition because they used the time for quiet reflection.)
Henry Freitag took his case to court arguing that the practice violated his right to freedom of religion under s. 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Ontario Court of Appeal agreed with him. It ruled that although Freitag hadn't been forced to participate in the prayer, the act of reciting the prayer was a form of coercion; Freitag had been clearly stigmatized by his decision not to stand and recite the "Lord's Prayer."
The court made the town realize that it could achieve the same result and atmosphere by using a nondenominational prayer such as the one recited in the House of Commons.
As a result, an old tradition ended, and a new one began.
Parliamentary Prayer "Almighty God: We give thanks for the great blessings which have been bestowed on Canada and its citizens, including the gifts of freedom, opportunity, and peace that we enjoy. We pray for our Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Governor General. Guide us in our deliberations as Members of Parliament, and strengthen us in our awareness of our duties and responsibilities as Members. Grant us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to preserve the blessings of this country for the benefit of all and to make good laws and wise decisions. Amen.
We will now have a moment of silence for private reflection and meditation. Amen."
The non-sectarian prayer, read in English and French before the doors to the federal Parliament are opened to the public each day.
Quotable quote
"The purpose of the practice [prayer] is to have the council take a moment's pause to recognize the importance of our deliberations, the moral values that should be brought onto our deliberations and the fact that we are serving the public when we deliberate."
The Mayor of Penetanguishene, Ontario
This leaves the door to freedom wide open and every Christian in that legislative body will be able to pray fervently for this country. Let's pray for more Canadian Christians to engage in our government.
You can also let Dalton know how you feel about this ...
https://www.premier.gov.on.ca/
feedback/feedback.asp
Let's have a voice Canadian Christian. You have that right and you are protected under our laws.
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