"Tories Plan To Protect Same-Sex Opponents"

[sharkman]

I can't believe the amount of energy going into this topic by the government! I would think ALL Canadians are protected by the Charter of Rights. IF they find a way around this, the Gay community only has to have one of their own, have a license to do the marriage themselves. IF this government rather spend millions of $$$ on this topic, then they NEED to be voted out.

The reason to protect same sex opponents is because of actions of those like Svend Robinson, who attacked a priest outside the government buildings a few years ago, ripping his protest sign out of the priest's hands(it had scripture against gays on it), breaking it and throwing it over a hedge or something.

That priest might have been right or wrong, but he had a right to be there, protesting. A priest in Cagary who sent letters to his congregation was critical of Paul Martin's stance on the issue as he is a Catholic. This priest was contacted by someone at Revenue Canada and told to cool it or have his tax exempt status removed. For a letter.

There have been increasing numbers of incidents like these, and it's plain to see that there are those who would use the law as it stands to persecute those critical of the gay lifestyle. That is just as wrong as persecuting gays.

[gerryhatrick]

Oh yeah, Canada was inches away from putting ministers in jail.

They probably think this pointless legislation will please their base, but it's got no real purpose.

Bishop Fred Henry of Calgary was pulled before a Human Rights Commission (in my opinion a minority vs. reason organization) because he distributed literature on the same-sex marriage debate obviously in favour of the Catholic position.

Religion is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. What the Bible says is protected, and so are those who preach the Bible.

That doesn't mean those who preach the Bible can stand up and call homosexuals an evil scourge that must be wiped from the earth.

I'm not saying this bishop of yours said that. You provided no link, and I could not easily find any reference of your anecdote in online news.

Essentially though, the legislation the Justice Minister is reported to have been working on is a pointless appeal to the religious base because there's no real need for it.

[Ricki Bobbi]

Religion is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. What the Bible says is protected, and so are those who preach the Bible.

That doesn't mean those who preach the Bible can stand up and call homosexuals an evil scourge that must be wiped from the earth.

I'm not saying this bishop of yours said that. You provided no link, and I could not easily find any reference of your anecdote in online news.

Essentially though, the legislation the Justice Minister is reported to have been working on is a pointless appeal to the religious base because there's no real need for it.

Then why the big concern about the legislation?

If it helps Canadians with religious beliefs feel more secure about their place in our society and doesn't hurt anybody else what is the big deal?

[gerryhatrick]

Religion is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. What the Bible says is protected, and so are those who preach the Bible.

That doesn't mean those who preach the Bible can stand up and call homosexuals an evil scourge that must be wiped from the earth.

I'm not saying this bishop of yours said that. You provided no link, and I could not easily find any reference of your anecdote in online news.

Essentially though, the legislation the Justice Minister is reported to have been working on is a pointless appeal to the religious base because there's no real need for it.

Then why the big concern about the legislation?

If it helps Canadians with religious beliefs feel more secure about their place in our society and doesn't hurt anybody else what is the big deal?

What is the big deal with passing useless legislation? You don't mind paying MP's a salary to sit in the house debating useless legislation? Or having goodl ol' Vic Toes down there in Manitoba toiling away on our dime on some useless legislation?

It's OK though, you think, becasue maybe it will help "Canadians with religious beliefs feel more secure"?

If Canadians with religious beliefs feel insecure they need to either get educated or talk to a professional. We don't need some useless legislation to bring a sense of security to a paranoid minority.

[Ricki Bobbi]

What is the big deal with passing useless legislation? You don't mind paying MP's a salary to sit in the house debating useless legislation? Or having goodl ol' Vic Toes down there in Manitoba toiling away on our dime on some useless legislation?

It's OK though, you think, becasue maybe it will help "Canadians with religious beliefs feel more secure"?

If Canadians with religious beliefs feel insecure they need to either get educated or talk to a professional. We don't need some useless legislation to bring a sense of security to a paranoid minority.

Because you feel the legislation would be useless, you have the right to tell Canadians with strong religious beliefs they need to *get educated*? Wow.

Are there any other minorities out there you want to talk down to and dictate their need to get *edcuated* to?

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Harper is wasting his time preaching to the converted. On the other hand part of his campaign was to address this very issue. Seems to be a case of damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't. I am not a Harper fan or even a supporter, but the man does seem intent on following up on his promises. Not too common in the big picture of Canadian politics.

Is this legislative effort a waste of time? In my opinion it is not for the simple reason that he was elected and formed a government with this as an objective. Given that he has the numerical superiority to form a government it is his responsibility to ensure that his government actually follows through on what promises he made during his election.

[Ricki Bobbi]

Harper is wasting his time preaching to the converted. On the other hand part of his campaign was to address this very issue. Seems to be a case of damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't. I am not a Harper fan or even a supporter, but the man does seem intent on following up on his promises. Not too common in the big picture of Canadian politics.

Is this legislative effort a waste of time? In my opinion it is not for the simple reason that he was elected and formed a government with this as an objective. Given that he has the numerical superiority to form a government it is his responsibility to ensure that his government actually follows through on what promises he made during his election.

Well said. That is why Harper will go through with this legislation.

[gerryhatrick]

What is the big deal with passing useless legislation? You don't mind paying MP's a salary to sit in the house debating useless legislation? Or having goodl ol' Vic Toes down there in Manitoba toiling away on our dime on some useless legislation?

It's OK though, you think, becasue maybe it will help "Canadians with religious beliefs feel more secure"?

If Canadians with religious beliefs feel insecure they need to either get educated or talk to a professional. We don't need some useless legislation to bring a sense of security to a paranoid minority.

Because you feel the legislation would be useless, you have the right to tell Canadians with strong religious beliefs they need to *get educated*? Wow.

Are there any other minorities out there you want to talk down to and dictate their need to get *edcuated* to?

No Ricki, it's not because I "feel" the legislation is useless.

Anyone who knows anything about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms KNOWS the legislation is useless.

If you wish to debate the usefullness of the legislation then explain why religion needs more protection than is afforded to it in the Charter.

And it's worth noting that I did not refer my comments to "Canadians with strong religious beliefs". I'm quite sure the majority of them feel quite secure and comfortable in their religion.

My invitation to get educated was to those Canadians with strong religious beliefs who feel insecure having their beliefs.

[Ricki Bobbi]

No Ricki, it's not because I "feel" the legislation is useless.

Anyone who knows anything about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms KNOWS the legislation is useless.

If you wish to debate the usefullness of the legislation then explain why religion needs more protection than is afforded to it in the Charter.

And it's worth noting that I did not refer my comments to "Canadians with strong religious beliefs". I'm quite sure the majority of them feel quite secure and comfortable in their religion.

My invitation to get educated was to those Canadians with strong religious beliefs who feel insecure having their beliefs.

Gerry, if you really feel it is so obvious why the legislation is useless then prove so.

For you to throw out an *obvious* truth then ask other people to prove otherwise is pretty shoddy debating.

The cost of this legislation would be pretty minimal in the grand scheme of things.

Please enlighten us why this legislation would *useless*.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

I must disagree for the reasons I have already stated. This legislation is useful to this government and those who supported them during an electoral process last spring.

Having said that I personally would not support this legislative with a phone call or email to my elected representative, but I will not correspond my opposition to it either.