Canadian government fires all non-Christian Chaplains in federal priso

[cybercoma]

I see no reason why we should be paying for chaplains at all. A person's religion is their own business, as is maintaining it. I don't think most religions require regular access to some sort of religious figure. Perhaps the Catholics do for things like taking communion and the confessional but I don't believe even there that we should be paying for it. Let the religious types who want to minister their flocks do it on their own dime.

All or nothing is still a better option than what they've done.

[Mr.Canada]

either get rid of all of them or allow all of them to stay.

i don't recall toews ever doing anything right.

"The minister strongly supports the freedom of religion for all Canadians, including prisoners,” the email states. “However, the government … is not in the business of picking and choosing which religions will be given preferential status through government funding. The minister has concluded … chaplains employed by Corrections Canada must provide services to inmates of all faiths."

link

This is called responsible government, something the left knows nothing about. The Tories are doing exactly as they are supposed to do by reviewing all departments to see if services are being utilized for the money being spent. We need to get the best bang for our tax dollar. If one religious Chaplin can deliver the services to other faiths then that is called being smart and showing respect for the taxpayer dollar. Funny how the left on this board are almost entirely atheist but seem to care about religions other than Christianity, maybe they only dislike Christianity.

[login]

The real problem is that people are in prisons.

We need civilized ghulags in the remote areas and in the north of Canada where ministers of any faith can move to these communities to gospel and establish congregations, house of worship, synagogs, mosques, shrines, temples or what have you.

Only people stuck in Infirmary or opting for protective custody should be in prison and those people should be able to have any minister visit them. If ministers want to work in these facilities, they should be given visting hours to do their holy work. There is no need for a "prison" chaplain, but rather a willing religious community and the willingness of the prison system to provide access and expanded visiting hours for activities such as education, religious persuit, or health and rehabilitation activities.

The fact Chaplains have the option to see people or not, and gaurds deny access to chaplains just shows it is a selective process that doesn't provide for open access.

It is broken and I call on the government to correct their backward and evil ways.

We need enlightened government not a bigoted and out of touch minority religous right when it comes to public governance.

An immoral and inhumane government has no grounds to establish punishment for immorality less they themselves are subjected to the equivolent. Religions are not equal in view or objective.

An untrained priest is of no use in Jewish rites, a non muslim cannot understand the needs of a Muslim, a Imam will not be able to provide equal religious guidance on Jesus as would a catholic priest to a Catholic, a catholic cannot provide equal guidance on dogmatic issues to a non catholic. These are real differences.

Prisons must be opened up to ministers of all faiths, and state and church must be seperate.

While Canada is Anglican Constiutionally, all religions have been granted equal recognition under the charter.

R. v. Big M Drug Mart

"the right to manifest religious belief by worship and practice or by teaching and dissemination"

I was dumbfounded when a Rabbi couldn't understand the dietary requirements of a Jain practicing Ahimsa and Jain dietary restrictions. They felt it was unreasonable --- that was religious practice, obviously a christian or Rabbi won't understand the diet of an adherant Jain. Meanwhile Jews get koshure meals, etc.. it is bigoted. The entire system is biased against religious groups that arn't their own and that is unacceptable. Someone should not be forced to starve because their religious practices are "unreasonable" to the other persons faith.

Edited October 7, 2012 by login

[Guest Derek L]

This is called responsible government, something the left knows nothing about. The Tories are doing exactly as they are supposed to do by reviewing all departments to see if services are being utilized for the money being spent. We need to get the best bang for our tax dollar. If one religious Chaplin can deliver the services to other faiths then that is called being smart and showing respect for the taxpayer dollar. Funny how the left on this board are almost entirely atheist but seem to care about religions other than Christianity, maybe they only dislike Christianity.

I agree……..The military has multi-faith services administered by solitary chaplains………..

[Fletch 27]

The lord giveth... and the lord taketh away... So your in jail and need a chaplain? an Imam? Call your church and get them to send over a representative so you can repent.... Dont be repenting on my dime....

Why should the atheist left even care? Oh, Its not an NDP goevernment dolling out baby whipes and condoms to the inmates... Free needles and sex-changes all around!!!!

[guyser]

If one religious Chaplin can deliver the services to other faiths then that is called being smart and showing respect for the taxpayer dollar

If we replace Chaplain with Imam, would anyone else be upset?

Argus et al are correct, get rid of them all.

[Mr.Canada]

If we replace Chaplain with Imam, would anyone else be upset?

Argus et al are correct, get rid of them all.

The majority aren't Muslims though and Chaplin isn't religious specific, it covers all religions.

I've actually been to prison and they ask you which information from the Chaplin you'd like to see.

Prisoners are people too. Are you suggesting that we shouldn't have freedom of association in Canada? Most religious people donate their time to come a give religious services to prisoners. Muslim, Jews, Chrisitians etc. With a Chaplin's office overseeing them all and giving permission for any religious person to have contact with prisoners. Prisons are secure environments and smuggling of banned substances can happen by anyone, even religious people. Everyone likes money.

$500 a package is too easy money for some people to pass up so the Cahplin needs to make sure that the people coming to the institution has honourable, ethical and moral goals.

[Guest Derek L]

If we replace Chaplain with Imam, would anyone else be upset?

Argus et al are correct, get rid of them all.

Chaplin is an all encompassing term, not solely the purview of Christianity……..The Canadian Forces have Jewish and Muslim Chaplains in addition to the standard representatives of the Catholic and Protestant faiths.

[guyser]

The majority aren't Muslims though and Chaplin isn't religious specific, it covers all religions.

Its moving that way I agree, but historically they were Christian.

A Chaplian can be a Priest Rabbi Imam or some other type.

Still , get rid of them all and have volunteer basis for any religious leader coming in

[Mr.Canada]

Its moving that way I agree, but historically they were Christian.

A Chaplian can be a Priest Rabbi Imam or some other type.

Still , get rid of them all and have volunteer basis for any religious leader coming in

yes they pretty much have that system in place now but someone has to approve their entry into the institution and that someone is the Chaplin.

[guyser]

yes they pretty much have that system in place now but someone has to approve their entry into the institution and that someone is the Chaplin.

It doesnmt have to be a chaplain at all.

It can be anyone in the admin system do it.

[Mr.Canada]

It doesnmt have to be a chaplain at all.

It can be anyone in the admin system do it.

Um no it cannot. The person who gives the permission has to be an expert in religious studies to ensure that the person is actually experienced enough to teach the population. The Chaplin isn't some average joe off the street they are experts in religion that oversee the religious rights of hundreds and at times thousands of prisoners.

The Chaplin is part of the admin team who's area of expertise is religion. Why would you push for non experts be given a job that a religious expert can do? Doesn't make any sense to me.

[guyser]

Um no it cannot. The Chaplin is part of the admin team who's area of expertise is religion. Why would you push for non experts be given a job that a religious expert can do? Doesn't make any sense to me.

Get a Prof of religious studies, he will know more than a Chaplain, and less likely to play favourites.

[Mr.Canada]

Get a Prof of religious studies, he will know more than a Chaplain, and less likely to play favorites.

The sysytem in place is working just fine. No need to change it. NO proof that there is any favoritism. Since Chaplin's are for all what group is being prejudiced and by whom? Also be sure to include some proof of this great injustice.

[Smallc]

Um no it cannot. The person who gives the permission has to be an expert in religious studies to ensure that the person is actually experienced enough to teach the population.

What? In a country with religious freedom, how can one person have that much power?

[jacee]

Funny how the left on this board are almost entirely atheist but seem to care about religions other than Christianity, maybe they only dislike Christianity.

Not being very impressed with any organized religions, mostly I just dislike religious bigotry.

[Mr.Canada]

The majority of prisoners are Christian therefore in a cost cutting measure Prison Canada has streamlined the operation. Non Christians can still get the services they require and at a reduced rate. Good for God and good for the taxpayer. Everyone wins.

[Smallc]

Good for God and good for the taxpayer.

Yes, I'm sure God is very happy about this....

[The_Squid]

Although I think that cutting only a part of the service is a bad idea, I don't think that churches should be paid at all for this service. The entire program should be cut. If they care about the souls of the prisoners, then go to prisons on your own dime. I'm guessing that this is quite a money-maker for the various churches....

A lack of chaplain, imam, etc. is not a violation of prisoners' rights, since they are still free to practice their religion. A holy figure being present is not necessary for the practice of one's faith.

[jacee]

The majority of prisoners are Christian therefore in a cost cutting measure Prison Canada has streamlined the operation. Non Christians can still get the services they require and at a reduced rate. Good for God and good for the taxpayer. Everyone wins.

"At a reduced rate" ? What's that about?

You do see the blatant discrimination against nonChristians?