We are all of us shipmates on the surface of a vessel called Earth. All religions of the world expect acceptance, respect and the right to worship and conduct themselves within the laws and doctrines of their chosen beliefs; without prejudice or interference. Should not these concepts apply to sexuality as well? Certain clerics are […]
Religion
Posted inNews + Opinion
Former Sandy Lake Academy student says school preached gay conversion
The author of an online petition against Coming Out Ministries visiting Nova Scotia says the anti-LGBTQ+ group has previously preached gay conversion at one of the Halifax’s private Christian schools. Matt DeMerchant, a former student at Salt Lake Academy in Bedford, is alleging Coming Out Ministries gave several talks at the K-12 school in the […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Sandy Lake Academy sidesteps questions about conversion therapy
One of Halifax’s private Christian schools doesn’t have much of an answer on whether it approves of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth. Sandy Lake Academy in Bedford is owned and operated by the Maritime Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church—the same church that’s come under fire for bringing in two American speakers who say […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
No, Christians are not being persecuted in Canada
I was late to the story on Easter Sunday. By the time I rolled over and scanned Twitter, just before noon, news of the Easter morning vandalism on two local Catholic churches had spread far enough that it was the first news I read. It was awful to see an action full of hate, in […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Halifax council to undergo cultural sensitivity training
In the fallout from several racially charged statements made by elected officials and more than a dozen conduct complaints submitted to city hall, Halifax Regional Council has agreed to collectively take part in cultural sensitivity training. The idea was unanimously approved Tuesday night after three hours of in-camera discussion. “We could all use a […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Anti-Muslim sentiments in Atlantic Canadians’ response to terrorism bill
“Confiscate and revoke the passports and citizenship of those involved in terrorist activities including their immediate family. Muslims protect Muslims.” That’s the anonymous comment made by one self-identified Atlantic Canadian as part of the federal government’s online public consultation on national security. The feedback was collected last fall to gain insight into what reforms Canadians […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Quebec shooting has some Halifax Muslims afraid to attend mosques
[Image-1] For the sake of his faith, Dylan is trying to overcome his anxiety about going to the mosque. If he didn’t, says the Muslim revert, then “that terrorist would win.” “But now, when people are late for prayers, you hear the door open and someone is coming in fast and it is extremely nerve-wracking,” […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Local events sadly needed to show Muslims are human beings
[Image-1] Because people are the worst, ignorance and intolerance remain dangerous realities for many Canadian Muslims. The recent attacks in Paris have ignited new outbursts of islamophobia in Canada and on your friends’ Facebook timelines. Since this is all unfortunately still a thing, members of the Halifax Muslim community are taking it upon themselves to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Canada just told Halifax’s council to stop saying its prayers
[Image-1] Today the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled that reciting prayers at municipal council meetings is a breach of religious neutrality and discriminates against public freedoms. It’s a decision that potentially could mean an end to Halifax Regional Council’s non-denominational “invocation.” The Supreme Court ruling originates in 2007, when a resident of Saguenay, Quebec […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Dissent in the Shambhala community
An unusually public display of dissent and controversy among the Halifax-based Shambhala community is playing out on a provocative website that questions the present leadership direction of the organization. RadioFreeShambhala.org was started about a year ago, says Mark Szpakowski, a web developer who came up the idea for the site with fellow Shambhalan Ed Michalik. […]
