I am writing this letter regarding the recent Supreme Court Ruling as to meetings (council or public meetings) and stating that God and prayer be eliminated in those circumstances.
I have read about this ruling in various publications, though not in detail until I read a Globe and Mail editorial titled The end of prayer in the councils of the nation, April 17.
Needless to say, I was very disappointed to hear of this ruling in the name of human rights, and could not help but remark: what about the rights of the majority of Canadians?
Most of us in Canada are aware of the fact that our great country was founded on the Judeo-Christian ideals (ethic) with God being at the core of our beliefs. If I am not mistaken, this fact is manifested at the entrance to the House of Commons where in stone it is written; God Shall Have Dominion From Sea To Sea. And I can’t help thinking of that grand old hymn that reads, “0 God our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our God while life shall last and our eternal home.”
Now it would appear that nine (last count I could find) members of the Supreme Court have decided that the name of God cannot be mentioned, nor prayer in council meetings, first in a Quebec town where someone is an atheist and is upset by it. Now Ottawa has abided by this ruling and now Calgary is considering it. Wow!
I would suggest that the majority of Canadians believe in God, no matter who they are, or their religious beliefs.
Our veterans of the First and Second Wars and other wars did so to serve king and country and to uphold our God-given rights of the democracy we enjoy.
There are very few veterans, for example from the Second World War still with us but I am sure they like those gone on before them would be truly offended with this ruling of the Supreme Court. I had four brother-in-laws in the Second World War, a father-in-law and an uncle (killed in action) who served in the First World War; all of them are gone now, but from what I heard from them and other vets, they knew God in a very close way.
And may I suggest to all that their sacrifice was for this very thing that the Supreme Court has put down: the right to pray and honour God in any situation we as a society are involved in. I have to say that as I pondered this decision of the court just because of the actions of one person, I have to wonder about the faith and beliefs of those who serve on this court.
As I pondered further on this ruling (I’m in my 80s) and looking back over the years, it would seem that this is just part of the slippery slope our country has been experiencing: First it was the removal of Bible and prayer from our schools, not to mention other offensive decisions this court has made in favour of denying what we grew up with; what is morally correct in the sight of God and looking to God for direction and help.
Some of us would agree with me that we are rapidly becoming a Godless society. I wonder what’s coming next in the light of how far we have fallen now?
I close in saying: God help us.
Richard Duffin
Red Deer