Why am I thanking Stéphane Dion, the minister of Global Affairs Canada? As BC Humanists has tweeted, the information in the article, “Dion Suggests End Is Nigh For Office of Religious Freedom,” is “Hopeful news”:
Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion has given his strongest indication yet that the writing is on the wall for Canada’s Office of Religious Freedom.
According to Dion,
“Human rights are interdependent, universal and indivisible. How can you enjoy freedom of religion if you don’t have freedom of conscience? Freedom of speech? Freedom of mobility?”
Dion
described theocratism as a major obstacle to advancing of human rights in different countries, said championing all rights is essential. “All rights are together,” he said. “So that will be our approach to see improvements of human rights in Canada and around the world.”
Bravo and merci, Minister Dion!
Looks like it takes a Quebecer to get laïcité right.
I’d be so happy if this goes through and we get an office interested in protecting all rights of all humans.
Yes!
Just to recall a former federal election, we could have had Stéphane Dion as the Liberal candidate. I think he was defeated over the possible existence of Global Warming or something related.
I don’t recall who was the previous government’s Minister of Global Affairs. Maybe the ministry was limited to Middle Eastern Affairs.
The Ministry of Global Affairs is the new name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Office of Religious Freedom was a Harper/John Baird creation.
Maybe Mr. Dion has done a little growing up since his time of running in the election.
“How can you enjoy freedom of religion if you don’t have freedom …”
Well, ask Canada. Our freedom to speak is quite limited compared to some other places. And we don’t even have freedom of religion, as we still permit religious body modification of babies (for approved religions) and we still force taxpayers to pay for religious instruction (for approved religions and provinces).
I’d like to see an Office of Free Speech, dedicated to ending restrictions on anti-religious speech in Canada, and worldwide. It is only through blistering criticism of religion that other people will lose their fear of first questioning, and then leaving it.
The Office of Free Speech may even encourage public school teachers to speak openly about the superstitious aspects of traditional beliefs.
Ah, M Dion…the best PM we never had.
Yes please, eliminate the odious Office of Religious ‘Freedom.’