Better not try it with the Muslims, though. That would be intolerant.
Canada has relatively weak civil rights compared to the US. No Bill of Rights. Totalitarians and tyrants are a dime a dozen in Canuckistan.
This lib seems to actually believe government can amend the tenents of the Church as it pleases. A gross misunderstanding by someone to believes themselves to be educated.
In retirement, one must find things to keep the mind busy; like applying engineering solutions to religious questions, for example.
Can an editorial also be a troll? This one should draw a lot of fire for Prof.(Ret.) Ferguson.
And the state regulation of religion is no threat to the "separation of church and state"?
The text of this commentary is contained in this thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1446930/posts
Personally, I think it was some subtle canook humor -- I believe that his tongue was firmly planted in his cheek. Not to say that freedom of religious thought will trump homosexual rights in Canada -- its pretty obvious that the Church will lose if and when the argument arises. But this commentary is, imho, more in the tradition of Dave Barry or Gene Weingarten, than some serious proposal.
What the learned professor does not seem to realize is that his proposed reforms would give a religion with no point whatsoever. Or perhaps he does.
In any event, how does he square this position with his professed regard for the "separation" of church and state? How much more intertwined can they become?
Just another data point on the graph proving that you cannot be honest and think logically and be a liberal.
It's all about forcing the churches to sanction gay marriage.
Why not just make all Canadians bow to Gaia, The Earth Mother. Then there would not be all these silly differences over religion.
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BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba...COME ON DOWN! We'd love to have you!
Frank
Ok, all you Catholics, what happens if Canada actually does this, if it actually requires clergy of whatever religion to marry gays, and imposes criminal sanctions on the clergy and on the institution if they will not.
Suppose the Canadian Supremes throw it out, but the PM invokes the "Notwithstanding" clause and overrides the Supreme Court decision.
What does the Catholic Church in Canada do?
LOL!
Red China didn't want to change Church doctrine, it only wanted a government veto if the Church appointed bishops it didn't like.
In response, the Vatican told Mao to stick where the sun didn't shine and the Chairman responded by declaring the Catholic Church a criminal organization.
China rounded up and imprisoned, tortured and killed Catholic clergy and believers - even 80 year old Archbishop Kung.
The Vatican still runs the Catholic Church as an illegal underground movement in China rather than submit to Communist rules.
If this Christ-hating lunatic thinks the Church will stand up to Chairman Mao and Joseph Stalin but submit to Paul Martin, he's got another thing coming.
Rubbish. This guy is a just another crank who will no doubt get all the paranoid (they are out to get us) Catholics up in arms saying "I told you so!" This has as much chance of happening as of the sun setting in the east.
Sky tripper, I'd call him.