To that, I say "AMEN!".
The (our) government is getting positively ridiculous!!! [img]redface.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_down.gif[/img]
Saying 'Merry Christmas' makes powerful statement
By Ezra Levant -- Calgary Sun
Allow me to be the first Jew to say to you "Merry Christmas."
Not "season's greetings." Not "happy holidays." Merry Christmas. Nothing added, nothing taken away.
Once, not so long ago, the chief challenge for Christians at this time of year was putting Christ back into Christmas -- reminding the faithful that Christmas isn't just about egg nog and presents, but that it was a celebration of the Christian God and His birth.
Today, the battle isn't to keep Christ in Christmas -- it's to keep Christmas at all.
Foremost in the war to deracinate anything Christian in society is the government, especially the federal government. At official memorial ceremonies, ranging from the Swiss Air memorial to the one after 9/11, the mention of Jesus is expressly forbidden. Even the military's chaplains are facing their emblem -- a stylized cross -- being removed from their caps, lest it offend. By contrast, immediately after 9/11, Jean Chretien visited a Muslim mosque. Paul Martin underwent an aboriginal "smudge ceremony" when he became PM.
But both men each swore that their own religion, mere Christianity, would never affect their political decisions, especially on matters of morality.
Both authorized campaign attacks against their political challengers -- Preston Manning, Stockwell Day and Stephen Harper -- for daring not to abandon their own faiths upon entering the public square, too.
This year, an agent of Revenue Canada telephoned Calgary's bishop, Fred Henry, and threatened that if the priest dared to criticize the Liberal government's policies on moral issues, he'd risk having the church's charitable status removed -- and thus subjected to massive taxes. The prime minister's spokesman called the bishop a liar. Really? I know who I believe.
Once, people feared entering politics if they committed a moral sin in their private life. Now, they fear en-tering politics if they promote moral virtue in public life.
Secular fundamentalists say this is necessary for separation of church and state. But that concept is an American one, not Canadian (even there, the only prohibition in the U.S. Constitution is against government abridging religious rights). Their motto is "In God We Trust."
In Canada, our Constitution is positively stuffed with religious rights, including government support for religious education. The very first sentence in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms reads "Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and rule of law."
Freedom of religion is the first freedom listed in the Charter, ahead of freedom of speech or the right to vote. Our head of state, Queen Elizabeth, is also head of the Church of England.
Our anthem asks God to keep our land glorious and free. Parliament and legislatures open with a prayer.
This is not just about ornaments or incidentals. It is an outward reflection of the core values that make us different from, say, Iran, or Togo. We are not just another country. We are a great country, not because of our geography or economy, but because our culture is rooted in the highest ideals. They are Christian principles - call them Judeo-Christian principles, if it makes you more comfortable. But that is what makes Canada great -- not our forests, or weather, or government spending.
Those principles are being attacked. Sometimes frontally, as with the latest assault from the Supreme Court.
Sometimes subtly, as with the advent of "seasons greetings" and "winter holidays." There are many solutions needed. But the simplest is to start saying "Merry Christmas," and correcting those who don't.
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To that, I say "AMEN!".
The (our) government is getting positively ridiculous!!! [img]redface.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_down.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You and trav should think about heading up to Canuck land. According to the article they're much more accomodating of government sponsorship of religion. I'm sure you'll like it there, without that pesky constitution mucking things up for you.Originally posted by Sluggo:
To that, I say "AMEN!".
The (our) government is getting positively ridiculous!!! [img]redface.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_down.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">If only people would interpret the constitution as the founding fathers intended instead of bastardizing it to suit the current PC or religious cause du jour!!without that pesky constitution mucking things up for you.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Uhm, say what? Care to elaborate?Originally posted by Jumper69:
If only people would interpret the constitution as the founding ***hers intended instead of bastardizing it to suit the current PC or religious cause du jour!!
I didn't stutter....
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">People throw around the constitution more than a midget and a frat party. This is unconstitutional, that is unconstitutional, everything is pretty much unconstitutional. Or can be if you find a slick enough lawyer. The first amendment, second amendmant, etc. get used and twisted to suit whatever cause happens to be in the paper that day.Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Our country is going down the shitter. We, as a people, are an amoral, emotionally bankrupt, mass of amphibian **** .
I, for one, am going to find great amusement in watching our civilization implode.
I, pretty much, agree with you, Jumper.
And I am NOT preaching religion. I think this country is morally bankrupt for the most part. A silent few are not BUT we don't speak up nearly enough for it to make a difference. I am truly sorry about that. Everything makes you (generally speaking) open to a lawsuit or "offends" someone else and pretty soon the moral ones among us will be completely silenced. Shame on us!!!!
Happy ________________ (fill in the blank with holiday of choice) everyone.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Nor did you get very explicit about how you think the founding fathers intended the constitution to be interpreted. This is often the crux of most arguments that cite the constitution.Originally posted by Jumper69:
I didn't stutter....
From your comments I assume you apply your sentiment equally to both sides of whatever argument the participants are having when they play the constitution card.
My question to you then is should we allow only one interpretation of the founders intent or do we make room for other opinions on the matter. And if we allow only one interpretation which one do we adopt?
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Uhm, Sluggs.Originally posted by Sluggo:
. . . pretty soon the moral ones among us will be completely silenced. Shame on us!!!!
What makes you think that you are one of the "moral ones"?
You make it sound like there is one, and only one, moral code. Which one would that be and why should we believe that you follow it and qualify as one of the annointed?
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