Happy New Year's

My resolution: to become smart enough to use my new phone!

Religious Freedom as Foreign Policy

     I wasn’t planning another post about religion quite so soon, I really don’t dwell on the topic that much, but this one I couldn’t help. The devil made me do it. Stephen Harper and his minions are planning on making policing religious freedom part of Canada’s foreign policy. They are introducing an Office of Religious Freedom, that will not report to parliament, within our Foreign Affairs Department, at a cost of twenty million tax dollars over four years, to safeguard religious minorities abroad. Sounds auspicious, right? So what could possibly be the problem?

     Well, the problems are many, and they start from the outset by not including all religions, thereby establishing a very exclusively invited group designed to promote Judo-Christian interests at the expense of others, a very disturbing establishment but not particularly surprising since like religions, Stepehen Harper's Cons are anything but inclusive.

     And then we could add to that a complete failure to recognise what we as a species, never mind a nation, should be policing is universal human rights, rights which have been adopted by the United Nations and agreed to by Canada to include the right of all humanity to freedom of speech and belief, the freedom from war and from want and the right to equal recognition under the law. Rights that are frequently in direct conflict with religions.

     And then we could take into account that protecting minority religions that conflict with state sponsored religions from things like imprisonment, rape, torture and even death, ignores the fact that these self same state sponsored religions often imprison, rape, torture and kill their own adherents.

Recognising in our Foreign Policy that religion constitutes the guiding principle of many of the world’s governments is essential. So is recognising that 90 - 95 percent of the conflict in the world is caused by religion. But equating religious freedom with democratic freedom and societal well being encourages an association of church and state, and that is precisely the opposite direction mankind should be moving in, in order to ensure a greater global reverence for human rights.

     What the human race really needs isn’t religious freedom, it’s freedom FROM religion, so that no one, anywhere, is subject to the tenants of another’s beliefs. That would be the ultimate fulfillment of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 29 (2) [that] in the exercise of his rights and freedoms everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others.

     Canada as a country, and Canadians individually need to understand the impact religions have on the world and be vigilant guarding human rights from them, but this overt display of political pandering and personal beliefs that the Cons are putting forth on our behalf to the world reveal nothing but a national policy of religious intolerance and ignorance. But then, as last fall’s (Sept 27 - Oct 1, 2010) survey by the Pew Research Centre clearly demonstrates, the more knowledge people have about religion, the less likely they are to adhere to one.

In honour of all major religions observing the winter solstice under whatever guise, I’ll leave the indoctrination of children being a horrific violation of UN UDHR Article 20 (2) for another time. But it will come.

Pear and Cheddar Pie

My non-traditional xmas pie for a non-traditional xmas dinner with my quirky family.

Pear and Cheddar Pie

crust:
1 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 c light vegetable oil
3 tbsp cold milk
Sift dry ingredients in 9" pie plate.  Whisk oil and mik together until creamy, pour over dry ingredients and mix well.  Press into shape.

filling:
4 large, ripe pears
1/3 c sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
pinch nutmeg
pinch salt
Mix well, pour into crust.

topping:
1 c grated sharp cheddar
1/2 c flour
1/4 c butter
1/4 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
Combine ingredients until crumbly, sprinkle over filling.

Bake at 425 for 25 - 35 min, until crust is golden and cheese is melted.  Best served warm.


I'm sure even Christopher Hitchens would have approved.  A fond farewell to one of my favourite athiest curmudgeons. Hope the scotch is great wherever you are.

Dinner Conversation

Dinner conversation this past weekend:

“Did you hear they think they found that God particle?”

“You know they don’t really mean God, right?”

“Ever the atheist. Why don’t you believe in God anyway?”

“You mean why don’t I believe in the god you believe in.”

“Semantics.”

“Not really. Technically speaking you’re an atheist too. You don’t believe in Zeus, Odin, Amun-Ra, the gods of the Incas, the Aztecs, the Aboriginals of the western plains, or the tribes of Papua New Guinea. I’ve just added one more god to the long list of gods you don’t believe in.”

“Then why do you celebrate Christmas?”

“Who doesn’t like feasting, drinking, getting presents and a paid day off work?”

“You’re usurping the birth of Christ for your own gratification.”

“The date was adopted from the Feast of Saturnalia to make Romans more accepting of the new political regime. The trees and lights were stolen from pagan traditions.”

“You’re just anti-Christian.”

“I’m anti-religious.”

“People have a right to their own beliefs.”

“People are welcome to believe the moon is made of green cheese if they want to. But if they start teaching it in schools, making laws based on it, and enforcing it as social mores, I have the right to object.”

“Society needs to be based on a code of morality and decency.”

“You aren’t really going to equate morality and decency with religion, are you? I have to have the sitter home by midnight.”

“Let’s order specialty coffees.”

“And some of that chocolate cheesecake.”

Summer Day

Cornflower blue sky
streaked with sunbeams
dotted with cotton batten clouds
drifting in the breeze
that’s rustling the leaves
rocking the tree back and forth
in rhythmic waves
radiating through the earth
and up my waiting toes

Back on the Radar

Personally, if I was this woman, I'd want the track to move faster!

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/08/03/bc-judge-fast-tracks-right-to-die-trial

     I’m really glad this topic is back on the Canadian political and legal system radar again. Assisted termination of life care is an issue that’s near and dear to my heart (I’m sure it will come up here again and again over time), since the 2003 death of my father, during which I was forced to either watch him endure every one of his Orwellian Room 101 nightmares, or face jail time for acquiescing to his requests. I’m so very sorry you lost, Dad, I had a 2-year-old to take care of. Because if I hadn’t had her to consider, I’d be writing this from prison. In spite of the fact that I know I made the only choice possible at the time, part of me has never been able to forgive myself for failing to provide him with the death of his choice, and I’ve chosen to do everything I can to change that for all Canadians as my penance. But it’s also my reward, since it’s an option I want available should I ever be faced with a similar situation. I don’t want the decision to pull the plug after all hope is lost to be a burden placed on my children’s shoulders, and I don’t think I could bring myself to ask them to assist me, though who’s to say where desperation may lead.

     I have no desire to commit suicide, in my mind that is an act of the destitute, who deem they have nothing worth living for, and often an act of selfishness, designed to punish those left behind. I, thankfully, have much to live for, and I want to enjoy it for as long as I possibly can. But death is a perfectly natural part of life, and of course, it comes to us all. In fact, I think death is what makes life such a treasure, gives it meaning, depth, and uniqueness. I, myself, don’t really fear death. Personally, I am hopeful of many new experiences beyond this existence, but I do greatly fear the suffering and loss of dignity that so often are its companions.

     Many victims of long-term degenerative conditions and terminal diseases find themselves stripped of their independence and autonomy, with few care options and services available to them. They endure prolonged and dehumanizing conditions, straining both the emotional and the financial resources of their loved ones. Quality end of life health care, such as more hospices and improved home care, can change this picture, providing comfort, dignity, support and warmth, creating as positive an experience as possible for all those involved. But the concept of death with dignity must also encompass an individual’s right to choose death, not await it.

     There is simply no acceptable excuse to deny an adult person the end of life option of medically assisted termination of life. No government, government official, or special interest group, no matter their (unsubstantiated) personal beliefs, has the right to decide what care options a lucid, autonomous individual may or may not choose. Our end of life wants and desires are as diverse, and as intensely personal, as our beliefs of what lies beyond this life, it’s a disgrace on us as a society that we often do not honour them.

     Most of us don’t dwell too much on estate planning, funeral arrangements, organ and tissue donation and end of life care issues, nor should we. The time is so much better spent enjoying the experience of life. Your own circumstances will determine the value of those first three to you, but the assurance of quality end of life medical care and the legal right to choose one’s own care options would allow us all the ultimate freedom of mind to enjoy all of life’s precious time. And it would allow us to ponder with hope and wonder, rather than worry and fear, what may await us.

Put It In

“Put it in,” she says.

.

“I really don’t want to,” he replies.

“Put it in,” she says more plaintively.

“You know I’m not good at this,” he whines.

.

“Put it in, I can’t do this by myself, you’ve got to help.”

So he tries, cautious and timid, but his palm is slick with the sweat of worry and anxiety, the soap coated instrument keeps slipping maddeningly out of place. Why in the world does marriage have to contain such frustrating and humiliating rituals? Why in the world does she still insist on engaging in them at their age, and so frequently, it’s getting more difficult for him each time. He supposes it makes her feel more feminine, still the great beauty that she truly was sixty years ago. But she is to him, and he wants her to know it. This ritual is tied to many, many good memories for both of them. He forces his frail hand into a strong grip, holds tight the hard bulb at the end, and stabs the pin through his wife’s lapel.

She straightens and primps the corsage. She pats his cheek. “Thank you, dear,” she says, and they go out the door for their morning walk.

Protesting Muslim Prayers in Public Schools

This past week a group of concerned parents and community church groups got together to protest Muslim prayer services being held in a Toronto public school.  Allow me to add my voice to their discontent.

An open letter to Dalton McGuinty: 

Dear Sir,

     I’m writing to object to your encouragement of school board trustees and individual communities to create policy regarding the participation of religious groups in the public school system of Ontario. Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, the faith based belief system of one individual or group may not supersede those of another, and it is the civic and moral responsibility of our elected government officials to ensure that the right of all citizens to their own belief system is respected and upheld. It would be a very dangerous precedent for you to abdicate this public trust.

     Allowing the participation of Christian interest groups, such as the Gideon’s and Key Bible Club, in public schools, either to distribute their written material or to conduct “instructional” meetings, marginalizes non-Christian children and is an implicit endorsement of Christianity that lends legitimacy to its rhetoric. This would be true of any religious group of any denomination allowed to function in such a fashion, and is a violation of the spirit of public education, and a disservice to our youth, by not providing them with a balanced, secular education.

     I understand that participation is these programs is considered “voluntary”, although the scope of that word as regards the indoctrination of children is open to a wide variety of interpretations, however it must be stressed that faith based “education” is the commission of individual parents and their chosen sects, not the public school system. Historical reasons for the existence of publicly funded religious schools, such as the Catholic school system, are no longer relevant, the time has come for Ontario to stop segregating her children based on religious beliefs. It doesn’t serve them well, either as citizens of our increasingly global community, or as progenitors of humanity, and using public dollars to fund this inherently contentious division boarders on the obscene. Public school education on the topic of religion is very important, and should be strictly limited to a non-judgemental, non-indoctrinational, presentation of all world religions, conveying their history and the general nature of their beliefs and traditions. It is vital to instil our children with deep respect for another individual’s beliefs, but it would be a serious error for us as a society to hold out any particular religion as a model of truth, morality and righteousness.

     Complete separation of church and state is imperative for true freedom, and I implore you to do your duty, to protect our public school system and the freedom of the children of this province.

The Castles of Lake Huron

 Ipperwash



 Port Franks

 Grand Bend

Goderich