The global coronavirus pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated underlying systemic discrimination, un-equal treatment and even persecution experienced by at least 340 million Christians around the world. That’s the conclusion of the 2021 World Watch List, the latest annual survey of… Read more →
Justice
BC Civil Liberties Association urges province to allow in-person worship
by Flyn Ritchie • • 1 Comment
The executive directors of both the BC Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association have written provincial health authorities to ask them to allow in-person worship and to explain any restrictions preventing faith groups from gathering. Following is… Read more →
MAiD in BC: ‘government destroying a sanctuary for dying patients’
by Peter Stockland • • 4 Comments
You might think the middle of a global pandemic is less than an ideal time to disrupt the operations of a hospice where palliative care patients receive comfort as they approach death. If so, you would not share the apparent… Read more →
Churches focus on sharing Christmas message, abiding by COVID-19 orders
by Flyn Ritchie • • 0 Comments
Christian Life Assembly is a big church, used to putting on big productions. This year, though, their Miracle on 56 Avenue has been reduced from a stage production to a drive-through experience. But the church is taking the vicissitudes of… Read more →
Criminal Code measures to counter conversion therapy lack safeguards
by Flyn Ritchie • • 1 Comment
The Liberal government is determined to criminalize conversion therapy, and has come very close to achieving its aim. In November, they received near unanimous support for Bill C-6 in Parliament. But major church bodies and other critics haven’t yet thrown in… Read more →
Desire to cooperate is still strong, but pressure builds to ease restrictions
by Flyn Ritchie • • 4 Comments
Lynda Steele said, “You know what, I love this,” while co-host Eric Chapman added, “Pastor, you’re giving me goosebumps . . . you make me want to go to church.” Those were the reactions of the co-hosts of The Lynda… Read more →
Restrictions on religious gatherings a reminder of ‘Forgotten Freedoms’
by Flyn Ritchie • • 2 Comments
This is an awkward time to question the validity of public health orders which prevent faith groups from gathering, given the spike in COVID-19 cases. News of three churches opening their doors last Sunday has elicited much negative comment from… Read more →
The church’s role in creating systemic racism & how the church can dismantle it
by Ken Shigematsu • • 1 Comment
We still live with the legacy of historical, heretical beliefs. But God can make us new. In 1882, Canada’s first prime minister John A. Macdonald said to the House of Commons, “I have reason to believe that the agents as a… Read more →
Earthkeepers support city’s Climate Emergency Action Plan; expect debate
by Flyn Ritchie • • 0 Comments
Earthkeepers and another network of faith leaders are strongly urging Vancouver City Council to adopt a plan which “focuses on reducing our carbon pollution through 19 proposed actions that focus on how we move around the city, how we build… Read more →
Christian lawyers critique Bill C-7, urge ‘medical assistance in living’
by Christian Legal Fellowship • • 1 Comment
Last week I posted “Canadian religious leaders denounce Bill C-7: ‘Medical Assistance in Dying.’” The proposed legislation continues its progress through Parliament. Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF) has put a lot of work into analyzing the Bill and making creative suggestions… Read more →