This page contains links and my comments related to maintaining constitutional provisions for Freedom from religion in Canada, and for increasing such protections. More precisely, I further document my total objection to any form of state endorsement or subsidization of religious beliefs or sentiments of any kind. It is a continuation of the pages Freedom from religion page 10 (FreRel10) and My religious beliefs (MyRel010, 020).
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Directory of links re Freedom from religion in Canada
. . . Canadian coins also contain a reference to God
. . . Civil Rights In Public Education Inc. ___ State-subsidized religious discrimination in Canada
. . . Supreme Being in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms is religious discrimination
. . . Tax exemptions of Churches in Canada ___ We need less prayer, not more
Links, Freedom from religion in Canada
Laws in Canada ___ Organizations in Canada
Prayer by public officials in Canada
State-subsidized religious discrimination in Canada
Supreme Being in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms is religious discrimination
We need less prayer, not more: (letter) no state official should be urging people to pray; it constitutes state endorsement of religion.
Consolidated Statutes and Regulations: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/index.html Department of Justice Canada.
OCRT An agency promoting religious tolerance as a human right: http://www.religioustolerance.org/ Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance.
Prayer by public officials in Canada
We need less prayer, not more: (letter) no state official should be urging people to pray; it constitutes state endorsement of religion.
One must wonder why Christians would wish to pray in public, in light of Matthew 6:5-8.
"But when you pray do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogue and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." -- Jesus.
Unlike the situation in the USA, where prayer is prohibited in public schools, in Canada separate (Catholic-only) schools, including prayer, are actually funded by the state -- in blatant violation of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights treaties for the prevention of religious discrimination. I find this situation to be intolerable. No such funding for any religion should be allowed! Nor should prayers in Government service at any level, nor any mention of prayer by any public official in carrying out his official duties -- including the Prime Minister. Allowing for such things amounts to state endorsement and indoctrination of people as to the validity of religious belief. Let's leave such indoctrination to the Communists, separate-school supporters in Canada and Germany, and the Islamic Mullahs -- they are all very strong endorsers of such indoctrination, as was Hitler, a strong supporter of state-subsidized religious schools.
Reference to God in Constitutions
See also Should God Be Removed From The Constitution?
Nation Profiles - Religious Freedom Page: http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/nationprofiles/ This ignores Canada's violation of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Religious Freedom and Human Rights: http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/links/religion.html Links to many organizations.
State-subsidized religious discrimination in Canada
Civil Rights In Public Education, Inc. - Submission to the UN: http://www.renc.igs.net/~publiced/submiss.html United Nations rules that Canada is in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee ruled on November 5th that Canada is violating the above covenant through Ontario's funding of Roman Catholic schools and not those of other faiths. The decision was made on the basis of a submission to the Committee by a Jewish parent, Arieh Waldman, who claimed he had to pay for his sons' religious education whereas a Roman Catholic parent had his/her childrens' religious education paid for by all of the taxpayers in Ontario. The UN Committee agreed with Waldman and dismissed the arguments of the Government of Canada.
This left the province with three choices: Ignore the judgment and risk Canada's reputation as a human rights leader, scrap the government funding of the Roman Catholic school system, or allow a proliferation of taxpayer-funded religious schools. Ontario responded quickly.
Janet Ecker, provincial Education Minister, said the province has no intention of changing the current system that gives equal funding to Roman Catholic and public school students. A few days later, this comment was modified by saying that Ontario would await deliberations by the federal government, the latter being responsible to the U. N. for adherence to the terms of the Covenant.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee gave Canada 90 days to respond to its decision, which is legally binding under international law, but not enforcable.
Michael O'Shaughnessy, Foreign Affairs spokesman, said that Ottawa must examine the UN ruling before any decisions are made. "The government of Canada will not be able to provide a response until the decision is first studied and consultation is undertaken with the government of Ontario, keeping in mind that education is a provincial responsibility."
Any complaint made to the UN Human Rights Committee by an individual must suggest a remedy for the alleged discrimination. Waldman suggested an extension of public funds for all religious schools, with the establishment of one only public system as a second choice.
Alan Borovoy, of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, urged a constitutional amendment that would get rid of public funding for the Roman Catholic separate school system. He did not agree with Waldman in extending funding to schools of non-Roman Catholic religions. "You would likely end up balkanizing our school system along religious lines," he said. "We would lose one of the main instruments for promoting inter-group co-operation and respect in our communities. It would be a foolish and unwise move."
. . . Our "suggested remedy" to the discrimination evident by the government funding of the Roman Catholic separate schools, was to abolish this government funding. It was not possible, however, to convince a majority of the Committee members that our "victims", who wanted one public school system, and whose children attended the public system, that they were victimized through the presence of a government-funded religious school system. We lost the argument in an 8 to 4 split of the 12-member Committee.
We did, however, send a loud and clear message to the United Nations Committee, the government of Canada, and of Ontario, that the Waldman solution was not one supported by Ontarians. Our voice, representing 79% of the population (see results of our Ontario School Referendum) was heard - loud and clear. . . .
Civil Rights In Public Education Inc. - Latest News: http://www.renc.igs.net/~publiced/latest.html LATEST NEWS.
March 2, 2000
We know that public funding of the schools of a select religious persuasion is a human rights violation, but let's look at the monetary cost of such a practice. The Ontario government admits that, to maintain the Roman Catholic separate school system for one year costs taxpayers $200 million. . . .
February 3, 2000
The following is from The Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations; Note No. 0164
"The Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, and has the honour to submit the following response in relation to Communication 694/1996.
"Canada has been a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since 1976 and takes the rights set out in that treaty very seriously. Similarly, Canada gives great credence to the views of the Committee expressed pursuant to the Covenant's Optional Protocol.
"The present communication concerns matters of education,which under Canada's Constitution Act, 1867, fall within the jurisdiction of the provinces. Consequently, in the course of addressing this communication, the Government of Canada has sought the co-operation of the province of Ontario in conveying Ontario's views and seeking a satisfactory resolution to this matter. However, as indicated, within Canada, decisions regarding education are ultimately for the province to resolve in accordance with their constitutional authority.
"In light of the above, the Government of Canada wishes to convey the position of the Government of Ontario as communicated to it in a letter of February 1, 2000.
"The position remains that Ontario has no plans to extend funding to private religious
schools or to parents of children that attend such schools, and intends to adhere fully
to its constitutional obligation to fund Roman Catholic schools. We reaffirm that our
commitment is to providing an excellent public education system taht is open to all
students regardless of religious or cultural background.
"In closing, the Government of Canada affirms its commitment to the international human rights regime, and will continue to work with the provinces to this end."
January 18, 2000
TORONTO STAR January 18, 2000 By Louise Brown Toronto Star Education Reporter
The Canadian government is urging Ontario to fund schools of all religions - rather than just Roman Catholic schools - to comply with a United Nations ruling that the province's policy discriminates against other religions.
But Ontario's education minister says she will not use taxpayers' money for schools other than public and Catholic schools, because it would mean breaking campaign promises to build a strong public system.
The apparent standoff between Ottawa and Queen's Park follows a November ruling by the United Nations' Human Rights Committee that said Ontario discriminates by funding Catholic schools but not those of other religions.
Ontario is constitutionally obliged to support both public and Catholic schools, but the U.N. ruled it is discriminatory not to extend this to other religious schools.
``Canada . . . is encouraging Ontario to comply with the United Nations' decision,'' foreign affairs spokesperson Michael O'Shaughnessy said . . . yesterday.
But Ontario Education Minister Janet Ecker said her position on religious schools will not change.
``We've been very clear that our goal is a good quality public education system, and the estimates of $300 million needed to fund religious schools would be $300 million that would come out of the public school system,'' Ecker said . . . yesterday.
But Keith Landy, chair of the Canadian Jewish Congress' Ontario chapter, said Premier Mike Harris should ``do the right thing and abide by the international treaty they put their signature to.''
Roughly 46,000 children pay tuition to attend Ontario's private religious schools. . . .
November 15, 1999
. . . Janet Ecker, Minister of Education for Ontario, initially poo pooed the decision but backpedaled in disgrace a few days later by announcing that Ontario would await a course of action determined by the federal government. The feds are responsible for Canada's adherence to international law, Ontario will dance to Ottawa's tune.
William Johnson, in a column for Southam News, said that "Canada signed the UN's International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1976, and Canada is bound to change any of its laws that are found to be in violation of the treaty. To repudiate its treaty obligations would make Canada a renegade nation, and public opinion would not stand for it. So, sooner or later, Ontario will have to change its Education Act to conform with the judgment.. ...these century-old discriminatory bargains stand up badly in the contemporary world."
October 22, 1999
Although a few ballots are received daily from the last Toronto Star Ontario School referendum ad, the totals as of this date are 5992 YES and 1606 NO for an 79% YES.
Letter from Gordon Rigby received with a ballot: "I am pleased to add my name to your list. I am personally concerned about my daughter's future as she heads toward becoming a teacher. She cannot apply to half the jobs available in this province because she was not born into a (Roman) Catholic home. The fact that she can be discriminated against in these times seems nothing less than criminal. If she were black we would not accept the discrimination based upon skin colour. But if she is a Jew, or a Protestant and comes from any other religious background other than Catholic, our society does allow discrimination, at least regarding employment in the "separate" system. I recognize that politically-minded Catholics wish to be able to press their religion as the true religion but in doing so they are saying all other religions are false. We are paying for indoctrination which can only be successful if the powers to be do not allow other religious ideologies into their classrooms."
October 1, 1999
. . . One letter . . . marked YES, reads as follows: "I'm tired of the Catholic Church trying to control the public system. In my region, Catholic teachers and Catholic principals take the key positions in our public French system. Then they constantly harass the parents and children to leave the public French system for the Catholic system. The parents' constant refusal leads to your child being suspended. They also send some of their church members to your home, trying to get you to move away from the public system. . . . I faught the system, but was harassed for years. . . . "
September 20, 1999
. . . The Human Rights Committee has advised us that our submission, called "Tadman," will be heard at the Committee's meeting in October. Waldman was heard in July, . . .
May 24, 1999, Ontario School Referendum
. . . another letter:
. . . "Religion has been removed, by gov't, from all public schools, yet Catholic schools, who teach only Catholicism, are still being publicly funded. . . . No one religion should be paid for by, and at the expense of, any other religious group.
"Why are Catholic teachers allowed to work in the public system but this is not reciprocal to Public teachers? Discrimination! Encouraged by politicians, who really have no concept or care about children or how they are educated!
"It is interesting to note that the pupils, who were alleged to be responsible for the death of Miles Neuts (the boy who died after being hung on a coat hook in a Roman Catholic separate school) in Chatham-Kent, now attend a public school, rather than a Catholic, school in the area. Wouldn't one think they would need religious teaching now more than ever?". . .
May 17, 1999, Ontario School Referendum
Letters received with ballots:
"I am strongly in favour of instituting one school system with optional religious studies in order to put an end to what I see as a "double standard" in our children's education. Real or perceived, my children's present education is seen as sub standard -- the current public system. I had thought to enroll them into the catholic system because like every other parent, I feel that my children deserve the best education. In spite of being educated in the catholic system, I refuse to buy into a system that so willingly takes funds from the "public sector" but maintains its prejudicial hiring practices and enrollment practices. Better education or no, I will not have my children enrolled and absorbing the type of mindset that permeates this system. I am confident that my children are receiving adequate instruction, however we do indeed feel the pressure of a "class structured" education system. It angers me now more especially because "separate schools" are accepting our funds, yet shouting out their superiority and distinctiveness."
"Yes! yes! yes! And I am a catholic school teacher. Priests don't teach Math in the church. Religion does not belong in the school. It's there because it's easy to win and control children!"
NOTE: The two above letters were reproduced accurately. Although both identified themselves as Roman Catholic, neither capitalized the word "catholic" in the text. . . .
May 11, 1999, Ontario School Referendum
. . . From a Pembroke newspaper. Renfrew County's Separate School Board met with the province's Education Improvement Commission recently. "The director (said) the board is especially concerned about the prospects of a referendum on (Roman) Catholic school boards indicating there are forces within the county that ultimately want to see a one board school system.". . .
April 22, 1999. Canada has answered
After obtaining a three-month extension, Canada has answered the submission to the United Nations Human Rights Committee regarding a complaint lodged by members of this organization concerning discrimination on the basis of religion in the Ontario Education Act. . . . Arguments against Canada's decision. . . .
April 8, 1999. More on the Proulx Report
This report was prepared by Mr. Proulx, a devout Roman Catholic, and seven others appointed by the Quebec provincial government. It recommends that all 2,530 Roman Catholic schools in Quebec be stripped of their religious status. If the report's findings are accepted, there would be no such thing as Catholic religious classes taught exclusively by Roman Catholic teachers. Instead, there would be one course for all that would look at all religions from a cultural perspective. . . .
April 1, 1999
Canada's answer to the UN submission, see below, has now been thoroughly analyzed. One of the points belaboured by Canada's Justice Department was how much this country's history and traditions were tied up in the "confederation compromise". Abolition of public funding for separate schools in Ontario ". . would be seen as undoing, or reneging upon, the bargain made at Confederation to protect the interests of a vulnerable minority in the province." Although the constitutional change instituted by Quebec to remove the application of section 93 (the section that protects the Roman Catholic separate schools in Ontario and the "Protestant" schools in Quebec) and allowed it to institute linguistic school boards, the schools were still Roman Catholic and "Protestant" as the local population desired. Since the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms disallowed religious teachings in Ontario's public schools in 1990, it would also, without the constitutional protection, disallow them in Quebec, so Quebec uses the notwithstanding clause to allow Roman Catholic and "Protestant" teachings to continue.
Now, with the Proulx report on religion in schools being released in the Quebec National Assembly yesterday, Roman Catholic and "Protestant" schools in Quebec could be scrapped. (Montreal Gazette, 31 March and 1 April.) Instead of indoctrination, the report "recommends a course for all that would look at religion from a cultural perspective, with a dose of civics or training in citizenship thrown in." . . .
For the complete article, see www.montrealgazette.com/PAGES/990401/2435303.html . . .
March 28, 1999
Canada's answer to the U.N. submission sponsored by this organization (See "UN Submission" hyperlink) was filed on February 22nd, three months late. . . .
Briefly, Canada goes to great lengths to try to justify separate schools by giving detailed outlines of Canadian history and the resulting constitutional protection; argues for not extending funding to all religious denominations; argues for not eliminating funding to Roman Catholic separate schools in Ontario; argues that elimination of funding would "seriously disrupt the social fabric in Ontario" and also have economic consequences. While arguing that the changes in Quebec and Newfoundland do not set a precedent for Ontario, Canada argues that a change in Ontario could lead to pressure on Alberta and Saskatchewan (the only provinces which remain with publicly-funded Roman Catholic separate school systems). Oh, and then there is the stale ludicrous argument that Roman Catholics need their "minority rights" protected. (See the minority rights hyperlink.). . .
March 23, 1999
Elsewhere on this web page is a description of the application of a group of four Ontario citizens, sponsored by Civil Rights in Public Education, Inc. to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations. The following gives the opinion of two experts on the importance of this application to the resolution of religious discrimination in Ontario's school system.
THE EXPERTS AGREE
ANNE BAYEFSKY
Anne Bayefsky is the Director of the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University. Previously she was a Professor, Common Law Section, at the University of Ottawa. As such, Bayefsky wrote the text "International Human Rights Law - Use in Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Litigation" which was printed in 1992.
. . . Bayefsky has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the Ford Foundation to study the international human rights treaty system and was conducting this research in Geneva when contacted by CBC Radio for an interview which aired on December 9th.
In the . . . the interview, Bayefsky brought up the point that " . . in Ontario, there is a case currently before the (U. N. Human Rights) Committee which concerns the policy of the Ontario Government to fund only Roman Catholic schools out of public money." She then gave an example of how Canada had previously considered the Human Rights Committee's decision and changed a federal law to agree with it. She then concluded with "So in this case, if the Committee finds that Ontario can't fund in a discriminatory fashion denominational schools, then Canada will be left with a choice. It can either extend the funding to all denominations equally or they can take it away from only one denomination. That's a policy decision."
The interviewer than said: "So in Canada at least the precedent then is that they would eventually go along with the United Nations ruling then."
Bayefsky answered with: "Yes. Canada tends to be one of those countries that takes international obligations seriously and I think there is every indication that Canada would actually try to insure that the Ontario Government abided by whatever decision the Human Rights Committee makes. Yes indeed."
PROFESSOR CRAIG SCOTT
The most recognized publication on education is circulated around the world from London, England by "The Times of London" as "The Times Educational Supplement" or TES. It is published every Friday. The issue of March 5, 1999 includes an article on page 20 under "Briefing International" with CANADA and the Canadian Flag next to the story's reporter, Nathan Greenfield. The article is titled "Religious support under fire."
Referring to a March 1996 complaint submitted by Ariel Waldman, a Jewish parent who objected to paying tuition for his son's religious education while Roman Catholic parents have their children indoctrinated at public expense, the article then mentions to the submission sponsored by this organization. "For the second time in a year," it begins, "the Canadian government has been forced to defend the existence of state-funded Roman Catholic schools in Ontario at the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. The latest defence arises . . " from the submission our members initiated and which this organization now sponsors.
The Canadian government gave three reasons for Mr. Walman's complaint being inadmissible, (the same reasons which will probably be cited for ours) but according to international law expert Professor Craig Scott, "the Canadian position may not carry the day." Scott is quoted as saying that "The government is treating one religious group so favourably that others are being discriminated against." It is further stated that Scott believes the Human Rights Committee will not let Canada plead domestic law as a defence to a violation of international law. Although there is no enforcement mechanism to ensure the Committee's view prevails, Professor Scott said that Canada would be loathe to undermine international law by arguing that the committee's decision is null and void solely because Canada's courts have ruled diffferently.
A mountain even faith can't move (letter) re subservience of women in religions. A thought added on 26 Nov 01 is that Ontario's funding of Roman Catholic separate schools anounts to state endorsement and subsidization of sex discrimination, in that women cannot be priests.
Circumspection re circumcision (letter) re invalid subsidization of religious superstition, and Rabbi fired.
Non-Catholic teacher ineligible for job opening at Pius X (in Ottawa) (letter) re state-endorsed religious discrimination in hiring.
Saskatoon schools may teach Christianity and related case: Florida Citizens File Lawsuit Against Unconstitutional "Bible History" Classes (Page Rel510).
Subsidized teaching of Catholicism (letter).
Supreme Being in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms is religious discrimination
God Out of Courtroom (letter) re ban oath on Bible and remove ref. to God from Constitution.
Parliamentarian who tried to remove God from the Charter.
"the supremacy of God" in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Should God Be Removed From The Constitution?
Tax exemptions of Churches in Canada
The God Business Questioning Tax Exemptions and Why Churches Should Pay Tax: http://www.islandnet.com/~luree/churchta.htm . . . After researching church property assessment figures for our Greater Vancouver, B.C. area which includes the city and 11 surrounding municipalities with a population of about 1.3 million, the loss of revenue to the communities becomes apparent. The tax exempt assessed value of churches in the 12 areas totals $854,738,500! . . . And where does the money from donations to these businesses go? Because these organizations are not required to post accurate financial statements, few contributors realize that their money goes to purchase stocks, bonds and other property which all become tax exempt as well.
We live in a democracy and people are free to adhere to any belief system they fancy. In all fairness to the various citizens who inhabit this country, they should not be forced to surreptitiously support a religion they do not believe in or may even find abhorrent.
1. In a true democracy, children would receive a liberal education in the wide variety of religious doctrines available. Then, when they reach the age of consent, . . . would be able to make an informed choice whether to accept the ideology of any religion in particular. Currently, children are indoctrinated like Hitler Youth**, with no opportunity to question the validity of the tenets they are required to embrace. . . . [**Hitler (a Roman Catholic, never excommunicated) fully endorsed state subsidy of religious separate schools.]
2. Religions tend to promote hatred against minorities. The most common example is the persecution of homosexuals on religious grounds. . . .
3. Some religious organizations receive taxpayers' money to use terrorist tactics to enforce their will on democratic citizens. A recent example is the Right To Life Society which openly condones the shootings at abortionist clinics. . . .
4. Do you know where the money you donate is being spent? Are you getting the most value for your dollar? Is it spent on things that you believe in? Perhaps you feel that your money should go to help the hungry at a soup kitchen, . . . How do you know for sure that it isn't being spent to invest in luxury condos . . .
5. Common law has clearly established that the advancement of religion is a charitable purpose. Ask the native Indians just how charitable the purpose of the missionaries was. . . .
6. . . . most parents love their daughters and want the best for them. Why would they choose to support institutions in which women are excluded from positions of importance, where the female body is considered shameful, where the pains of childbirth are punishment for original sin and where women are depicted as wanton temptresses . . . Isn't this an assault to the self-esteem of any young girl.?
8. Religious thinking is opposed to free inquiry and scientific investigation. It suppresses a child's natural curiosity and fills them with nightmares of hell and punishment if they dare question things that defy logic or make no sense. The dark ages set the progress of science and medicine back hundreds of years. As late as October, 1992, the Pope forgave Galileo, a seventeenth century scientist, for saying that the earth revolved around the sun. . . .
9. Many religions promote cruel and barbaric punishments against outside observers of the faith and even their own followers. These people ask only for some change to bring their religion's doctrines into the modern world. Taslima Nasreen is under death threat by Muslim fundamentalists in Bangladesh. Her crime is one of blasphemy for having said that the Koran should be revised in regard to the status of women. . . . Salman Rushdie, who is under sentence of death for "blaspheming the Prophet." Sheik Ahmed Deehat, a Muslim scholar from South Africa, when visiting Canada proclaimed, "According to the rules of the Holy Koran, the Holy Bible tells us anyone who blasphemes must be stoned to death. Those are the laws as given by God to the Christians and the Jews". (Ottawa Citizen, July 16, 1994) As late as 1994, Reverend Anthony Kennedy was quoted; "I would burn the bloody bitches....Let these bloody women go off and form their own politically correct church and religion. I would shoot the bastards if I was allowed, because a woman can't represent Christ."
No matter what religion you choose to follow, do you want money allocated to these extremist views? For those of you who hold these views, then you are entitled to contribute to your religion accordingly. Others should be free not to.
10. Sadly, religion cannot keep its promises to its followers. Who really knows if you will get to heaven faster if you send your pension to the televangelist? If you are an Islamic Jihad Suicide Bomber, will you really get to "sit on the right-hand side of God and enjoy the attention of 72 nymphs." (according to Sheik Abdallah Shami, spiritual leader). These assurances would constitute fraud or false advertising in the modern world. Religions tend to prey on fears of the sick and elderly, society's most vulnerable. . . .
As Thomas Jefferson said, "To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." . . .
Should God Be Removed From The Constitution?
Apparently the NDP Federal leadership has banished Svend Robinson to the back-benches as "punishment" for presenting a Petition to remove "supremacy of God" phrase from the preamble to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
It is very disappointing that members of a free society would take this attitude. Unfortunately, most people seldom read the religious books that they claim to adhere to and therefore don't realize the damage that religious belief has caused to our free country.
Christianity is based on a book that depicts racism, brutality, massacre and homophobia. In fact, Christians worship a God who promotes these activities. Do you know how many times their god has commanded his "chosen ones" to exterminate entire tribes and nations? Inquisitions, persecutions and witch hunts were** all done in the name of godly devotion. [**They still are!]
Even Hitler used Christianity as an excuse to commit atrocities. "My feeling as a Christian points me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter. It points me to the man who, once lonely with only a few followers, recognized these Jews for what they were, and called me to fight them, and who, so help me, was greatest not as a sufferer but as a fighter. With boundless love, as a Christian and as a man, I read the passage which relates how the Lord finally gathered His strength and made use of the whip in order to drive the urserers, the vipers, and cheats from the temple...." (From Voelkische Beobachter, April 22, 1922)
Religions were created to empower special groups of people. Most of the world's current strife can be traced to religious origins.
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You can e-mail me at waynerp@sympatico.ca.