We are all equal on this farm; but, some are more equal.

Reverend Stephen Boissoin has been told by a Canadian Human Rights Commission that he may no longer speak out against the sin of homosexuality.

In 2002, Reverend Boissoin published letters to the editor in the Red Deer Advocate opposing same-sex marriage, sharing his Christian viewpoint as Canada was at that time in a national debate over the issue. After seeing the editorials, a professor contacted the Alberta Human Rights Commission, saying that these letters were discriminatory and hateful toward homosexuals. An investigation was launched into the validity of these claims. After concluding this investigation, the Canadian tribunal found Boissoin guilty of discrimination and penalized him with a very unusual and bizarre punishment. They forbade him from saying "anything disparaging about homosexuals."

Reverend Boissoin had not committed a crime or illegal act, yet he will be punished in Canada with a lifetime ban on his freedom of speech for speaking out against sin as the Bible commands. The tribunal came to their conclusion without allowing Boissoin to give his testimony. Along with restraining him from speaking negatively about same-sex unions, they forced him to pay the professor $5,000 and submit a written apology for his previous statements for use in the same local paper.

As we pray for this situation, we should remember that God is in control of everything. We in America still enjoy the right to pray and preach straight from the Bible, while in other nations these freedoms are becoming less common. This should challenge us all to not only thank God for the freedoms, but also to act upon them to ensure them for the future generations.

As we pray for this situation, we should remember that God is in control of everything. We in America still enjoy the right to pray and preach straight from the Bible, while in other nations these freedoms are becoming less common. This should challenge us all to not only thank God for the freedoms, but also to act upon them to ensure them for the future generations.

Stephanie wrote:

Okies I've gotta question.

If god is in control of everything, why doesn't he allow other nations freedoms like the right to pray and preach straight from the bible?

Cato wrote:

Stephanie wrote:

Okies I've gotta question.

If god is in control of everything, why doesn't he allow other nations freedoms like the right to pray and preach straight from the bible?

Because he didn't create puppets. He created people and gave them free will to determine their own destiny. Each of us everyday make choices. Each of us cast the deciding vote in whatever choice we make. Man is endowned by his creator with the right of life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness. It falls to mankind to defend these rights from those who would deny him these rights. We are far to fast at forgetting man has responsibility in the issue of rights. It falls to man to fulfill his responsibility.

Stephanie wrote:

As we pray for this situation, we should remember that God is in control of everything. We in America still enjoy the right to pray and preach straight from the Bible, while in other nations these freedoms are becoming less common. This should challenge us all to not only thank God for the freedoms, but also to act upon them to ensure them for the future generations.

Okies I've gotta question.

If god is in control of everything, why doesn't he allow other nations freedoms like the right to pray and preach straight from the bible?

Stephanie wrote:I once thought so. Now I'm not so sure. It depends upon the opinion, who is offering the opinion, who the audience is, and whether or not it is politically correct enough.

These are sad times for those who love liberty.

Stephanie wrote:So those individuals who must endure ruthless dictators, it is their fault?

The Jews, Poles, Gypsies and others murdered by the Nazis, were they responsible for their own fate because they didn't fulfill their responsibilities? How was Anne Frank deficient?

Sorry, if god controls everything he could prevent the Pol Pots of the world.

Armon Ayers wrote:

Stephanie wrote:I once thought so. Now I'm not so sure. It depends upon the opinion, who is offering the opinion, who the audience is, and whether or not it is politically correct enough.

These are sad times for those who love liberty.

How can you love liberty when you do not believe in the Freedom of Speech? How can you be a Libertarian? I do not think that homophiles should be arrested or forced to shut up...do you? I respect their right to their opinion. I just reserve the right to denounce it on whatever basis I want--religious or not.

SheikBen wrote:

Stephanie wrote:So those individuals who must endure ruthless dictators, it is their fault?

The Jews, Poles, Gypsies and others murdered by the Nazis, were they responsible for their own fate because they didn't fulfill their responsibilities? How was Anne Frank deficient?

Sorry, if god controls everything he could prevent the Pol Pots of the world.

Yes, He can. He allows us to make bad choices (some of which affect others and it's not their fault), but He allows us to make them all the same. As such, we humans have made a mighty mess of the world. He can also prevent the Canadians from stripping the pastor of free speech.

I suggest that the matter is that God sees the eternal picture and we see the temporary picture. I can't say why God doesn't make sure the pastor can say what He wishes, but He could and is choosing not to. He chooses not to rescue many kind Christians from being killed for their faith.

I have a challenge for you, Stephanie. I am currently reading a book called "What's so Great about Christianity" by Dinesh D'Souza. I unfortunately have a lot of time on my hands (almost literally) these days. Do you want to pick a book from a worldview that you might agree with, and have me read it, and you read the D'Souza book? I bring up D'Souza because I think he handles the matter much better than I can. It can be a little "mini book club" if othes want to join in. If you'd like, you can choose a book on Christians minding their own business:)

What do you think?

Stephanie wrote:

Armon Ayers wrote:

Stephanie wrote:I once thought so. Now I'm not so sure. It depends upon the opinion, who is offering the opinion, who the audience is, and whether or not it is politically correct enough.

These are sad times for those who love liberty.

How can you love liberty when you do not believe in the Freedom of Speech? How can you be a Libertarian? I do not think that homophiles should be arrested or forced to shut up...do you? I respect their right to their opinion. I just reserve the right to denounce it on whatever basis I want--religious or not.

First of all, I think you have me mistaken with another poster. I've spent a week trying to explain to TerryRC why private business owners should be free to refuse to serve homosexuals or any other group they find objectionable. I don't think anyone should be sued, arrested, or in any way harrassed by any government official or agency for exercising their right of free expression, even when they are freely expressing their bigotry.

Secondly, I have never called myself a Libertarian. I am a Republican and have been for at least 2 decades.

That post you quoted was my way of saying not everyone in this country is "free" to express all of their opinions because we've become so PC it's sickening.

Stephanie wrote:

SheikBen wrote:

Stephanie wrote:So those individuals who must endure ruthless dictators, it is their fault?

The Jews, Poles, Gypsies and others murdered by the Nazis, were they responsible for their own fate because they didn't fulfill their responsibilities? How was Anne Frank deficient?

Sorry, if god controls everything he could prevent the Pol Pots of the world.

Yes, He can. He allows us to make bad choices (some of which affect others and it's not their fault), but He allows us to make them all the same. As such, we humans have made a mighty mess of the world. He can also prevent the Canadians from stripping the pastor of free speech.

I suggest that the matter is that God sees the eternal picture and we see the temporary picture. I can't say why God doesn't make sure the pastor can say what He wishes, but He could and is choosing not to. He chooses not to rescue many kind Christians from being killed for their faith.

I have a challenge for you, Stephanie. I am currently reading a book called "What's so Great about Christianity" by Dinesh D'Souza. I unfortunately have a lot of time on my hands (almost literally) these days. Do you want to pick a book from a worldview that you might agree with, and have me read it, and you read the D'Souza book? I bring up D'Souza because I think he handles the matter much better than I can. It can be a little "mini book club" if othes want to join in. If you'd like, you can choose a book on Christians minding their own business:)

What do you think?

Can I assume Mary Catherine is doing better and that's why you have time to join us???

You're on, but I'm in the middle of two books at the moment so I probably won't get to it for at least a week.

My book isn't about religion. I'm hoping you'll read it and spread the word, encouraging others to read it as well. The author is Naomi Wolf and the title is The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot.