Canada

Prayer Meeting Disrupted by ''Gay Militia''

 

 "Gay Militia' chants slogans while Christians pray
A meeting being held in Calgary, Alberta on April 17 as part of the Concerned Christian Coalition's annual convention was disrupted by a group calling itself the Gay Militia. Beating sticks, yelling, swearing and chanting, the group attempted to stop a dinner in support of the former Executive Director of CCC, Stephen Boissoin. Boissoin is to appear before the Alberta Human Rights Commission as a result of a "letter to the editor" published in the Red Deer Advocate on June 17, 2002, which was critical of homosexual activism in schools. Those in attendance prayed while the Gay Militia shouted blasphemies and accusations of bigotry. Hotel security eventually cleared the group from the hotel. The Calgary Police Service has assured CCC that charges will be laid against the members when they are found.

Situations like these could become more common if Bill C-250 is passed into law, according to many Christian organizations like the CCC and the Catholic Civil Rights League. Several other situations are facing Human Rights Commissions throughout Canada, including the case of Scott Brockie, a printer who was fined $5,000 in 1999 for refusing to print business cards and letterhead for the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives, citing religious beliefs. A recent decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned an earlier decision awarding Brockie $25,000 in legal costs. Brockie now must pay $40,000 in legal fees.

 Scott Brockie

 Scott Brockie

For more information on Bill C-250, we encourage you to consult the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada website (click here). To express you opinion to Canada's politicians, we would encourage you to participate in the initiative found at http://www.killbillc250.com.

Pray that the Canadian Senate, now debating Bill C-250, will not pass this controversial bill. Pray for Canadian Christians like Boissoin and Brockie who are facing court challenges for expressing their religious beliefs.

 

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