News round-up

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Stories about assisted suicide and the vote in Washington:

At death's door
Russel Ogden pushes ahead with taboo-breaking research into assisted suicide, insisting his job is to tell the truth, even if it's disturbing
Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, November 1

Surprising coalition awaits euthanasia vote in Washington State
A groundbreaking vote is occurring today in Washington State over whether to allow doctor-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. It's not received as much attention as it should, including in Canada and especially B.C. But it would be extremely significant, in terms of a values shift, if Washington became the second state in the U.S. to regulate euthanasia for the dying. The Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland are the only countries with similar laws. It seems Canadian politicians are afraid to discuss the issue, pro or con. That's even though most Canadians tell pollsters they would support such legislation.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, November 4

B.C. Catholic paper says "stench of death" creeping into Canada through Washington euthanasia vote
B.C. Catholic editor Paul Schratz has been shocked by "the stench of death" he argues is creeping closer to B.C. because Washington State held a ballot vote today on whether to approve assisted suicide. Advance polling showed it might be a close battle, but in the end it passed by a wide margin.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, November 4

Washington voters OK right-to-die measure
An initiative allowing doctors in Washington state to prescribe lethal prescriptions for terminally ill patients was expected to pass, the Seattle Times projected Tuesday night. By 10:30 p.m., 58 per cent of voters had okayed the controversial measure, according to the Seattle Times website.
Vancouver Sun, November 5

Washington vote sends assisted-suicide debate north
Washington state's dramatic Election Day vote to decriminalize assisted suicide -- which on Wednesday was drawing media attention around the world -- means the debate can no longer be avoided in Canada, especially B.C. With the so-called "Death with Dignity" bill receiving the support of three out of five voters, Washington joins Oregon as the only American states to legalize assisted suicide in certain conditions. These states enter the company of the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland.
Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, November 6

Stories about the abortion and stem-cell research debates:

U.S. group seeks 'third way' on abortion
No single issue in the United States has been as polarizing as abortion. Judging from the rhetoric, the campaigns by partisan groups and the general yelling back and forth it would appear it is a debate that will only be solved by either one side or the other declaring final victory, something that is not likely to happen any time soon.
Charles Lewis, Full Comment, National Post, October 31

Obama's win a victory for science: stem-cell researchers
For stem cell scientists whose research in the U.S. has been blocked by President George W. Bush, the American election results were "like watching the Berlin Wall fall," one hematologist said Wednesday. Dr. Clayton Smith, who came to B.C. five years ago from the U.S. because of the opportunities here, said he was "literally in tears" over the election of stem-cell-research supporter Barack Obama, "and I may even choke up even talking about it." . . . University of B.C. professor and researcher Dr. Jane Roskams said many scientists have viewed Bush as a foe because of his religious-based opposition to their work on human embryonic cell lines and the vetoes he's used to halt funding for such research.
Vancouver Sun, November 6

Stories about science and religion:

'Darwin? That's just the party line'
We're all familiar with Queen Gertrude's dry observation in Act III of Hamlet that the Player Queen "doth protest too much." Gertrude's point, of course, is that the Player Queen's over-insistence of her love for her husband makes her declarations highly suspect. I often think of Gertrude's line when I see how vehemently many A-list scientists and fellow-travelling literati lash out at anyone who does not embrace their insistence that no deity is behind either the creation of our universe or plant and animal origins on Earth.
Wayne Eyre, National Post, October 31

The tension between Science and religion
Let us end how we began. At the beginning of Part I, I noted Albert Einstein's famous quote "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." These words, which Einstein may or may not have believed, suggest that science and religion enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship. And as we saw in Part I, there did exist a complementary relationship between science and religion throughout much of the history of Islam and Christianity. But as we discovered in Parts II and III, science and religion now appear locked in a battle to death. So where does this leave us? Must science and religion compete with each other, or can they complete each other?
Peter McKnight, Vancouver Sun, October 31

Earlier: Stories from Peter McKnight's series on science and religion

Stories about same-sex couples and human rights claims:

Gay couple file human-rights complaint over being denied B.C. basement suite
In sworn affidavits, Kathleen Webb and Liana LeBlanc say they were shown the suite and told by owners Brenda and Marc Rovner that they were the first choice. The documents say that when Ms. LeBlanc called back to arrange a damage deposit, Ms. Rovner asked about the women's relationship and Ms. LeBlanc told her they were gay. The women say Ms. Rovner then asked whether they would be comfortable living in a home with Christian beliefs and that she didn't want to rent to two people.
Canadian Press, November 1

California votes to ban gay marriage
California voters overturned a state Supreme Court decision by approving a referendum that bans same-sex marriage, one of the few victories for conservatives in the U.S. election and a signal that the questions surrounding family values will remain a divisive force through Barack Obama's presidency.
Globe and Mail, November 5

African-Americans shouldn't feel guilty for voting against gay marriage
What particularly has the Globe reeling from shock is that 70 percent of blacks in California supported the gay marriage ban, while whites only narrowly opposed it. The Globe just can't believe that people who have known exclusion in society themselves can be so indifferent to the anguish of gays, and that a beautiful mind like Obama's can possibly speak so eloquently about black travails, and yet abandon "the one minority group against which it remains socially acceptable to discriminate." The Globe should get out more. Particularly amongst black people in the U.S. who tend to take religion seriously, and are therefore inclined to uphold the traditional view of marriage as a strictly heterosexual affair.
Barbara Kay, National Post, November 6

Continue article >>

Stories about Sikhs, refugees and immigration:

Failed refugee claimant heading home to Punjab
Paralysed would-be refugee claimant Laibar Singh was to be put on a plane back to India early today after his failed bid to remain in Canada on humanitarian grounds. Well-wishers spent Monday stopping by Abbotsford's Kalgidhar Darbar Sikh temple to say goodbye to Singh, who thwarted three earlier attempts by the Canada Border Services Agency to deport him.
Vancouver Sun, November 4

Paralyzed B.C. man to return to India
A paralyzed refugee claimant who failed in his attempt to stay in Canada became teary at Vancouver International Airport before he was wheeled away from supporters. As Laibar Singh's wheelchair was pushed through the doors of the Canadian Border Services Agency's processing area Monday night, the freedom he hoped for in Canada was no more.
Canadian Press, November 4

Visitors from India face new questions
Document demands details of past political, religious, criminal associations -- even for relatives
Vancouver Sun, November 5

Terrorist was caught in Surrey -- then released despite deportation order
A suspected Sikh terrorist ordered out of Canada eight years ago went underground in Surrey until he was stabbed near a SkyTrain station there about a month ago, The Vancouver Sun has learned.
Vancouver Sun, November 7

Earlier: Stories about Sikh refugee Laibar Singh

Other stories from the past week:

Herouxville, the mouse that roared, is the inspiration behind Quebec's new "Cultural Clarity act"
The Quebec government announced on October 29 that future immigrants to Quebec will be required to sign a declaration of intent to learn French and respect the "shared values" of Quebec.
Barbara Kay, Full Comment, National Post, October 30
Earlier: Stories about religious and multicultural issues in Quebec

Crowds & power
If my reader celebrated All Hallows' Eve last night, will he also celebrate All Hallows today, or "All Saints" as we say in current English? And will he continue through this late autumn weekend, observing "All Souls" tomorrow? It would, after all, be perverse only to celebrate witches and ghosts and goblins, and not the morning light of Christendom that chased them all away. Who could be so perverse? . . . My column today is about politics, but I have gratuitously mixed in religion from the start. I do not think we can have a clear sight of politics, if we do not begin with a fairly clear sight of reality, which means eyes open, so wide as they will go, to everything before us.
David Warren, Ottawa Citizen, November 1

A biblical find
Script on pottery shard found near site of David-Goliath fight
CanWest News Service, November 3
Also: Vancouver Sun

Stuck between Heaven and development
For the past 30 years, Regis College, part of the University of Toronto, has trained aspiring Catholic priests and chaplains in a pair of small, red brick buildings on the historic corner of St. Mary and St. Nicholas streets. But in July, the Jesuit Fathers of Upper Canada Holding Corporation applied to the City of Toronto to demolish the school and replace it with a 44-storey condominium tower, which, seen from the air, has the contour of a peanut. Regis College, meanwhile, moves next fall into Christie House, an old mansion at Wellesley Street and Queen's Park Circle.
National Post, November 3

Rabbi donates book collection
Known for the spellbinding sermons he gave for years at Toronto's Holy Blossom Temple, Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut drew on a wide array of books as inspiration for his material. The world-renowned religious scholar and leading figure in Reform Judaism devoured books on everything from the life and times of Albert Einstein, to biblical-themed literature, biographies on Jews who played roles in Canadian history, and even a book on the cartoon character Pogo. The books he used for his sermons and writings have now been donated to York University in his name and that of his wife.
Toronto Star, November 3

Tokens recall Jewish lives lost
Inspired by a school project in U.S. commemorating victims with paper clips, Ontario residents are marking Holocaust Education Week in their own ways
Toronto Star, November 3

Falun Gong case a test of city's power: lawyer
If Falun Gong protest signs outside the Chinese consulate can't be regulated by the City of Vancouver, then no structures on city streets can be regulated, the city's lawyer told a judge Monday.
Vancouver Sun, November 4
Earlier: Stories about CBC's documentary on Falun Gong

Hockey's seamy side on display
David Frost, whose trial on sexual exploitation charges concluded here yesterday, may well not be convicted, but if only half of what was heard at trial is true, we ought to be gravely worried about the environment in which our junior hockey players live and play and study.
Father Raymond J.De Souza, National Post, November 4

Fight Bad Speech With Good Speech
A former Canadian Jewish Congress president admits he was wrong to champion ideological censorship
Ed Morgan, National Post, November 4
Earlier: Stories about "human rights" tribunals and commissions

Montreal Anglican bishop to authorize blessing of same-sex unions
The Anglican bishop of Montreal has said he will proceed with authorizing the blessing of same-sex unions in his diocese despite a statement approved by the church's House of Bishops - including him - saying the blessings should be restrained by a further two-year moratorium. However, Right Rev. Barry Clarke's decision avoids contradicting his fellow bishops, and himself, because of carefully crafted wording that required 20 drafts before all, or almost all, of the prelates signed on.
Globe and Mail, November 6
Earlier: Stories about the Anglican schism

Police do not suspect boy met with foul play
After an exhaustive search that lasted more than three weeks, Ontario Provincial Police yesterday recovered a body they believe to be that of missing teenager Brandon Crisp in a wooded area near Barrie, just north of Toronto. . . . Teachers at Brandon's Catholic high school held a prayer for him yesterday and instructed students not to talk to the media.
National Post, November 6

Church has no place in vaccinations
Pierre Trudeau, when he was justice minister, famously said: "There's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation." Similarly, there is no place for the Roman Catholic Church (or any other religious organization for that matter) in the public health programs of the nation. Yet, in at least one province, the church has thrown a self-righteous wrench into a plan to vaccinate schoolgirls against HPV.
Andre Picard, Globe and Mail, November 6
Earlier: Stories about Catholic school boards

The two solitudes of swearing: In Quebec, the f-word's not so bad
It is the most crude of curses in the English language, a four-letter expletive usually avoided in polite company. Yet in Montreal, the f-word is apparently not a swear word at all. A municipal court judge has ruled that a man who repeatedly tossed the expletive at two police officers during a confrontation was not swearing, because he wasn't taking God's name in vain.
Globe and Mail, November 7

November 6/2008