tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753959616553937852.post8445487190705327778..comments2024-03-14T11:37:12.849-04:00Comments on Russell McOrmond's personal blog: Where will Ontario fall in the secularism vs Conscience Rights debate?Russell McOrmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07186398284667525036noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753959616553937852.post-4310052733091493562021-01-05T15:50:31.989-05:002021-01-05T15:50:31.989-05:00Some excellent thinking in your post Russell.
Lik...Some excellent thinking in your post Russell.<br /><br />Like you, i am concerned about notions of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. It is particularly relevant with the continued rise of fundamentalist Christianity with its objectives of political and social control dressed up as religious freedom. The U.S. and Canada have both exhibited disturbing ideological and political tendencies.<br /><br />Like you, i have no issue with Quebec separating church and state. I see religious freedom as constituting the right to assemble and practice with like minded individuals who choose to do so. Insisting that religious groups then have the right and freedom to impose their traditional beliefs on non-participants is a very serious issue. When religious groups cry out that their freedom is being abrogated because the wider society doesn't want to act according to their principles, it appears the majority is having its freedom diminished by a minority religious group.<br /><br />Regardless of the religion, i remain puzzled by the political push on issues like abortion and assisted death. Again, Canadians are not infringing on anyone's religious freedom not to have an abortion or reject assisted death services. Why would religion insist that it has the right and freedom to tell secular people how to live? Why not maximize freedom for both by allowing the religious not to participate in activities against their beliefs, while allowing secular people the freedom to follow their wishes? If your religious convictions interfere with your work, it is time to look for another line of employment rather than expect Canada to change its operations to align with your religious principles.<br /><br />The bigger issue of a rising theocratic tendency in American politics also shows its face here in Canada. I would encourage Canadians to value our secular freedom and oppose the conceptions of religious freedom as the right to have political representation that writes policy and shapes society. Belief in sacred books is fine for those who believe. Forcing it on others is very dangerous indeed. Freedom of the many from coercive, minority religious views must be protected.<br /><br />Michael TimsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13906371884772489072noreply@blogger.com