Conservatives plan office of religious freedoms

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A Conservative government would create a new “special Office of Religious Freedom,” the party announced in its electoral platform Friday.

...

Under the heading, “Defending Religous Freedom,” the Conservatives said they recognize that “respect for religious pluralism is inextricably linked to democratic development.” And that the federal government could and should do more to respond to the plight of those “who suffer merely because of their faith.”

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Evangelical Conservative MPs were the target of a recent Le Devoir newspaper article which questioned whether a handful of Stephen Harper’s members of parliament were too religious to do their job.

The article cited an incident during a plane trip to Taiwan where a female Liberal MP went into anaphylactic shock after eating food that was likely contaminated with seafood to which she is allergic. Instead of calling for medical help, three Conservative MPs, the newspaper article states, Mark Warawa, Jeffrey Watson and Blaine Calkins got on their knees, placed their hands over the Liberal MPs head and started praying.

http://blog.decisioncanada.ca/conservatives/conservatives-plan-office-of-religious-freedoms/

EEK!

[DRex]

1. Here's link to the 'Le Devoir' article....

http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/elections-2011/320583/des-fous-de-dieu-chez-les-conservateurs

in French, but could be translated. Funny, I can't find anything on this story in English, about the MPs praying over her body.

Now that IS disturbing. I normally would very much doubt that people's religions would be a problem because they don't come into play in serious situations, but boy was I wrong!

Also, one can only assume that "religious freedom" is being used in the most Orwellian sense imaginable, and that this office is to be tasked with promoting Christianity across Canada.

EEK indeed.

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2. Jason Kenney espousing anti-choice views on CNN:

This video is making the rounds in the last couple of days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhlC-ZrguhA&feature=player_embedded

It's interesting to note that he attended the University of San Francisco IN THE US. Jason Kenney: He didn't come back here for you.

Here's Kenney on the criticism of the potential creation of an office of religious freedom in Foreign Affairs:

"“Perhaps there are some rabid secularists out there who don’t understand there are a lot of vulnerable religious minorities under attack around the world,” he said.

“To those people who would challenge it because they are uncomfortable with religious faith, I would say, ‘Get over it’. We’re talking about fundamental rights here.”"

http://www.therecord.com/news/elections/article/514465--tories-promise-to-create-office-for-religious-freedom-in-foreign-affairs-department

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3. he didn't come back for you ...