News briefs

A Dalit family in India. See 'Online database,' below.

Canada Day gave some Christians an opportunity to proclaim their faith at the nation's capital -- and MY Canada was there. The event held at Parliament Hill featured singer Gregory Charles -- who, stated MY Canada's Faytene Kryskow, "took the entire crowd into a groovy southern gospel riff and began to sing . . . 'God's not dead, He's alive.'" Then, she wrote, "the entire crowd began to sing. [Charles] then began to sing, 'God is in the building, the Holy Ghost is moving.'" Kryskow commented: "I find it amazing that exactly 40 years since 1967, the year when secular humanism was trumpeted at Expo 67 . . . that on our 140th birthday as a confederated nation tens of thousands of Canadians [declared] 'God's not dead' . . . right in front of the Peace Tower!"

Senators urged to keep spanking legal

Even the most innocuous use of "non-consensual force" by parents to correct a young child's behaviour could lead to an assault conviction if spanking were to become a crime in Canada, Justice Department lawyers recently told a Senate committee. At issue is Bill S-207, tabled by Quebec Liberal Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette. It seeks to repeal Section 43 of the Criminal Code, which allows parents and teachers the right to use "reasonable force" to discipline a child without fear of being charged with assault. Dave Quist, executive director of the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, urged the senators not to confuse child abuse with child discipline. "Children need to learn morals and ethics, right from wrong, acceptable and unacceptable behaviour," he stated, adding: "Normative spanking is not abuse." -- Today's Family News

Essentials comments on Anglican synod

Anglican Essentials Canada issued a statement about the recent Anglican Church of Canada General Synod, as part of its monthly Call to Prayer bulletin. Garth V. Hunt said the results of two key votes sent "confusing [and] disheartening" signals about the blessing of same-sex unions. Some observers, he noted, "are questioning what the world-wide primates will say to the obvious lack of compliance with their communique in which they requested repentance and a permanent moratorium on such blessings." Hunt added: "Despite what decisions were made at General Synod, the Lord is still on his throne. He's not worried, nor perplexed."

ICEJ decries Iran's nuclear program

The Canadian branch of International Christian Embassy Jerusalem is promoting an initiative decrying Iran's nuclear ambitions. ICEJ Canada released a letter from Israel-based executive director Malcolm Hedding, declaring: "Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel and is actively pursuing nuclear weapons in order to bring this about." ICEJ, he stated, has therefore "launched a worldwide petition to help protect Israel from Iran's threats to commit another Holocaust against the Jewish people." The organization plans to deliver the petition to the United Nations, Hedding asserted, "on behalf of Christians worldwide."

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Online database to help Dalits

The Dalit Freedom Network, which has a Canadian branch in BC, is lauding the launch of a major online initiative to aid the many thousands of so-called 'untouchables' who have been relegated to demeaning status as members of India's lowest caste. The All India Christian Council (AICC) has announced the publication of a comprehensive database of laws and policies regarding religious freedom and human rights in India. The database is the first of its kind and contains documents, including anti-conversion laws, which were previous unavailable to the public. "This is a unique contribution . . . to the world of human rights," said Nanci Ricks, president of the Dalit Freedom Network. -- Assist News Service

Lutheran youth meeting in Ottawa

Some 600 youth and leaders from across Canada will converge on Ottawa July 6 - 9 for the triennial youth gathering of the Winnipeg-based Lutheran Church - Canada. While in the nation's capital the youth, between the ages of 13 and 18, will celebrate their Christian faith and put it into action by helping a local agency, Christian Horizons, and holding a prayer vigil on Parliament Hill. Plenary sessions fill feature music, stories and drama. In between, the youth have time for fun, games, Bible study and a Sunday pilgrimage.

MCC helps new home owners

Vancouver's VanCity bank has presented Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) with a grant of $46,000 for the delivery of home ownership readiness courses as part of VanCity's Springboard home ownership program. The Springboard home ownership program helps people navigate the challenges of owning a home; it is geared towards current tenants of non-profit housing. The program includes a home ownership readiness course, which will be delivered by MCC's employment and community development department.

New director for Alpha on Campus

Alpha Canada has announced the appointment of Elwood Means as director of its Alpha on Campus wing -- effective September 1. National director Sally Start stated: "Elwood has been used by God to develop a highly impactful Alpha at the University of New Brunswick, with hundreds of students participating each session -- and we are excited about how God will direct him to support other churches in their outreach efforts to young students at local campuses."

Hillsong tops Canada's charts

All of the Above, a CD by Australian favourites Hillsong United, is top of the Canadian charts for the second month in a row, according to YourMusicZone.com. The organization distributes its monthly 'Canada's Top 50,' based on sales figures across the country. Also in the July top 10 are: 2) Robin Mark - East of the River; 3) Brian Doerksen - Holy God; 4) Chris Tomlin - See the Morning; 5) tobyMac - Portable Sounds; 6) WOW Hymns; 7) Relient K - Five Score & Seven Years Ago; 8) pureNRG; 9) Tim Hughes - Holding Nothing Back; and 10) Celtic Worship Live from Ireland. YourMusicZone.com also offers news, music videos, CDs and concert listings -- as well as links to Canadian Christian retailers and broadcasters.

July 5/2007