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Equality
- In Our Faiths - News from 2004
October 18, 2021
Apologies
for ending faith-based bigotry
 The
Anglican Church released the "Windsor Report" today, criticizing
Canadian Bishop Ingham for his support of same-sex couples. The report
called for an apology, and the end of blessing same-sex unions. Bishop
Ingham has already complied with the first demand, on live TV. Churches
in England are becoming pubs as the developed world abandons toxic religions.
Read "Apol4gies
for ending faith-based bigotry"
September 28,
2004
Catholic
bishops of bigotry at tax trough
 The
Canadian Catholic Bishops will argue against gay marriage at next month's
Supreme Court of Canada examination of proposed legislation that will
roll-out gay marriage to the remaining have-not provinces. A church court
document reveals the real concern of the Bishops of Bigotry: money. Will
Canada fund a church that works against human rights?
Read "Catholic
bishops of bigotry at the tax trough"
August 6, 2021
Putting
the smackdown on Sister Gramick
 Sister
Jeannine Gramick may be one of those women that the Vatican and Cardinal
Ratzinger considers "lethal". Why else would the Inquisition
take a personal interest in her activities, resulting in a demand that
she remain silent on issues of faith and homosexuality? Gramick has refused
to be Ratzinger's victim. The nun continues to wrestle with Rome over
gay rights, same-sex marriage, and faith-based bigotry.
Read "Putting
the smackdown on Sister Gramick"
July 31, 2021
The
lethal effects of women who seek power
 One
year after the Vatican disgraced itself around the world with its hateful
attack on gay marriage, the spiritually abusive men in Rome are up to
mischief again. Today, Cardinal Ratzinger, head of the Inquisition, released
a letter addressed to Catholic Bishops around the world, explaining the
"lethal" effects of women who seek power. The Vatican blames
feminists for "a new model of polymorphous sexuality."
Read "The
lethal effects of women who seek power"
June 3, 2021
Canadian
Anglicans decide not to decide
 While
Canada makes progress with same-sex marriage, Canadian Anglicans decided
not to decide whether they will affirm a national position in support
of blessing same-sex unions. Some "welcoming" Anglican communities
bless same-sex unions (and at least one same-sex marriage has been performed
), but delegates at the national General Synod delayed taking a position
for at least 3 more years.
Read "Canadian
Anglicans decide not to decide"
May 12, 2021
Alberta's
Lutheran Church and gay marriage
 The
movement for gay marriage has led faith communities around the world to
question their position on same-sex marriage, homosexuality, and other
issues that touch on core values and beliefs. Some faiths shut down discussion.
Others, like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's Synod of Alberta
have engaged debate. The May 2004 edition of Synod Forum features
supporter Vaughn Roste's faith-based appeal.
Read "Alberta's
Lutheran Church and gay marriage"
April 23, 2021
Unitarians
will intervene at Supreme Court
 The
Supreme Court of Canada has granted the Canadian Unitarian Council intervener
status at October's review of new same-sex marriage legislation for the
remaining Canadians living without access to equal marriage. The Unitarian's
team will now begin working on their legal presentation, but J. McRee
Elrod's affidavit indicates the Unitarians will argue against religious
dogma and for constitutional rights.
Read "Unitarians
will intervene at Supreme Court"
April 23, 2021
United
Church to appear in Supreme Court
 The
United Church of Canada, the country's largest Protestant denomination,
has been granted the right to intervene in the Supreme Court hearing (Oct.
2004) on same-sex marriage. "Christian morality and religious principles
require that same-sex couples have access to the same marriage rights
as opposite-sex couples," the United Church says. Read how the church
responds to court reference questions.
Read "United
Church to appear in Supreme Court"
April 12, 2021
Constitutional
democracy or theocracy?
 Anti-gay
religious groups continue to experience a long series of set-backs in
court. The highest courts of Canada and Quebec have declined appeals of
same-sex marriage cases from faith groups because the groups represent
private interests. A judge in San Francisco shut out another anti-gay
group for similar reasons. Gay marriage underscores the need to maintain
the separation of church and state.
Read "Constitutional
democracy or theocracy?"
March 24, 2021
The
Bible and same-sex marriage
 We
continue our series of articles that examine the relationship between
gay marriage and the Bible. Author Christopher Hubble contributes an article
that debunks biblical sexual proscriptions against homosexuality. "In
fact, the Bible hosts an abundance of same-sex intimate relationships
and holy unions. The story of David and Jonathan is one of several queer-friendly
stories in the Bible. Ruth and Naomi is another."
Read "The
Bible and same-sex marriage"
March 5, 2021
"Cruel
and unusual punishment"
 After
42 years of service to the Catholic Church, Rev. Tim Ryan has been suspended
for agreeing to our request to provide an affidavit in support of same-sex
marriage. The suspension began last month, but the Archdiocese announced
it yesterday in an effort to discredit the Priest's possible involvement
in a Supreme Court of Canada hearing later this year. We spoke to Rev.
Ryan about this troubling punishment.
Read "Cruel
and unusual punishment"
January 27, 2021
Database
of clergy for same-sex marriage
 A
database to hold contact information of clergy who are supportive of same-sex
marriage has been created for advocacy purposes. We developed the repository,
under the sponsorship of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto,
for the coalition of Canadians For Equal Marriage. If you are a member
of Canadian clergy, we encourage you to let us know of your support for
equal marriage.
Please
sign up now
January 23, 2021
Biblical
marriage - a bad source for debate
 The
main resistance to same-sex marriage in Canada comes from extremist religious
groups (Catholic Church, fundamentalists, etc.) who want to impose faith-based
bigotry in the secular world. But is the Bible a good source to use in
the gay marriage debate? Theologian Vaughn Roste reviewed 825 verse references
and discovered a "misogynistic and repulsive" Biblical concept
of marriage. Times change.
Read
"Biblical marriage: a bad source for the marriage debate
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