I thought it was just our government that did stupid crap like this but apparently Canada also has a governement sponsored National Prayer Breakfast, to be held today. While this event is non-denominational, just as the American version ostensibly is, there are some who complain that it is too Christian-centered. And how can you blame them when the chairing MP says stuff like this: "The object of the prayer breakfast is to gather in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and pray together," said Conservative MP David Anderson (Cypress Hills-Grasslands, Sask.), who is the event's chair this year.
The article then goes on to quote a few non-Christian MP's who are not bothered by the Christian emphasis of the proceedings. However, the feelings of legislators don't always square with their constituents:
Though the interest in the National Prayer Breakfast is such that organizers had to seek out a larger venue, a 2006 Ipsos Reid poll conducted shortly after the Conservative government was elected, indicated that Canadians are becoming increasingly uncomfortable mixing religion and politics.
The poll, conducted for CanWest News Service, revealed Canadians would be more open to voting for a party led by a Muslim or atheist than one led by an evangelical Christian.
In 1996, 80 per cent said they would vote for a potential prime minister who is an evangelical, however that number dropped to only 63 per cent of Canadians in 2006. Sixty-eight per cent said they would vote for a leader who is Muslim or atheist, down from 74 per cent and 72 per cent, respectively, in 1996.
Which I think only shows that Canadians are uncomfortable with elected officials who define themselves by their religion, whatever that religion may be. To which I can only reply one way.
How reasonable.
(image via Pancakes for Jesus)
1 comments:
Yes, we also have those who like to cling to old traditions and superstitions. The difference is that "Christian" politicians in Canada can't let their personal beliefs inform their politics. They can't stand up in public, for instance, and say "God wants me to kill everybody in the middle east". They'd have to say, "it makes good economic sense to kill everybody who controls our oil."
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