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Stories about religious vanity license plates in Ontario:

Ontario eases rules to allow religious titles on vanity licence plates
Rev. Joanne Sorrill was ultimately allowed to keep her plate of 19 years after Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty stepped in and called for an advisory panel to review the vanity plate criteria. Until now, all religious words or phrases were banned.
CanWest News Service, March 28

Cleric revved up after province permits religious vanity plates
Honk if you love REV JO. A Whitby cleric's vanity licence plate rejected 16 months ago over fears it encouraged dangerous driving has finally won the province's stamp of approval. Religious titles will soon be included among acceptable monikers for motorists under new rules announced by the Ministry of Transportation last week.
Toronto Star, March 30

Earlier: Stories about the minister and her license plate

Stories about Pope Benedict's controversial statements:

Open season on Benedict
The attacks upon the Roman Catholic Church in the last two weeks following the Pope's comments about the dangers of condom use in Africa in the attempt to prevent AIDS have been an extraordinary lesson in applied ignorance and the survival of prejudice. Talk-radio hosts who have long callously and naively blamed Africans for all of Africa's sufferings suddenly become champions of the continent. Doctors and academics who have shown no previous concern for the plight of Africa are instantly transformed into experts and partisans. It is enough to make one weep. The weeping, however, should be for Africa rather than a bunch of anti-Catholic hypocrites.
Michael Coren, National Post, March 31

In defence of the Pontiff
Pope Benedict XVI seems to be under attack in the secular media. First, newspapers around the world mocked him for suggesting during a discussion of AIDS with reporters: "You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms. On the contrary, it increases the problem."
Rory Leishman, National Post, March 31

Apostasy move stirs emotions in Quebec
The letter's signatories were mostly from Montreal, but Church officials are reporting a similar push in the Quebec City region. The diocese there reported 50 requests for apostasy -- the renunciation of one's faith -- in the past month; usually it receives about 20 such requests in an entire year. Two issues appear to have spurred the reaction.
National Post, April 2

Stories about the Dalai Lama:

Canadian researchers uncover spy plot against Dalai Lama
Canadians say they have uncovered broad espionage network affecting 103 countries plus Tibetan exiles
Canadian Press, March 29

Dalai Lama in Vancouver
Five Nobel laureates, global activists and celebrities are expected to join him for historic peace summit
Vancouver Sun, March 31

Vancouver Peace Summit: Dialogues with Nobel Laureates
The summit will feature conversations and workshops with leaders in areas such as education and peace activism
Vancouver Sun, March 31

Earlier: Stories about China, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama

Stories about science minister Gary Goodyear and evolution:

Don't rebuke Goodyear -- abolish his job
The recent debate over Science and Technology Minister Gary Goodyear's views on evolution is the epitome of frivolousness compared to the really important issue it brings to mind during this recession, namely: Why do we have a minister of science and technology in the first place? Why is the Canadian government involved in promoting or steering scientific endeavour?
Karen Selick, National Post, March 26

Gary Goodyear's religious beliefs not the problem for researchers
The emphasis on commercializing research is much more dangerous
Peter McKnight, Vancouver Sun, March 28

No debate about it, there's only one theory of evolution
The conclusion of Todd's piece implies the hope that all these theories will eventually make their way into the public's consciousness and into the science class. Unfortunately, Todd's column just added to the chaos.
Patrick Walden, Vancouver Sun, March 30

Earlier: Stories about science minister Gary Goodyear

Stories about anti-Semitism:

Harper reaffirms Tory support for state of Israel
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is urging all Canadians to confront what he calls a "rising tide of anti-Semitism" around the world. Harper passionately reaffirmed his government's support for the state of Israel in a speech to hundreds of members of the Jewish community in the Toronto suburb of Thornhill.
Canadian Press, March 26

B'nai Brith links anti-Semitic incidents to economy
Canada's most prominent Jewish group says the number of anti-Semitic incidents rose 8.9 per cent in Canada last year - and jumped four-fold in the last decade. Frank Dimant of B'nai Brith Canada claims Jews are being used as scapegoats by disgruntled citizens suffering under an ailing economy.
Canadian Press, March 31

Earlier: Stories about anti-Semitism

Stories about Islam and the West:

Militant Islam adds 'Lawfare' to its weapons arsenal
It's "egregious," to use a favourite legal adjective -- suing in a jurisdiction where libel laws favour the plaintiff. The practice of libel tourism has ballooned as the Internet has extended the global reach of published material, but writers are finding their right to free speech has been curtailed.
Araminta Wordsworth, Full Comment, National Post, March 27

Justice 'cannot be veiled'
Permitting alleged victims or any witness to wear a veil while testifying would fundamentally change core principles in our justice system, an Ontario Superior Court judge was told yesterday.
National Post, March 28

West not to blame for Muslim problems
A potentially disastrous example of human history taking a wrong turn is Muslim activists and reformists -- and especially Arabs -- blaming the West for their misfortunes. And with that, of course, goes a simplistic tendency in the West to blame terrorism on Muslims who have adopted crude interpretations of Islam. In reality where would-be revolutionaries and reformists in Islamic countries should be looking for redemption is not the capitals of Europe, the United States, but in their own presidential palaces. That's where their problems lie.
Jonathan Manthorpe, Vancouver Sun, March 28

Iranian couple's journey to freedom fulfilled
Azita and Ahmad Shafaghat became Christians in Islamic Iran 10 years ago and have been on the run ever since. The couple's long journey to freedom ended yesterday afternoon when their plane touched down in Vancouver.
Globe and Mail, April 1

Iranian couple granted asylum
An Iranian couple who angered authorities in their Islamic country by converting to Christianity have arrived in Vancouver after nearly a decade on the run from religious persecution.
Vancouver Sun, April 2

Earlier: Stories about Islam and the West

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Stories about Ezra Levant's Shakedown:

Icebreaker for liberty
Friends of Ezra Levant find themselves making the same phone call at least annually. We call to ask Ezra whether he has gone too far. Maybe this time, Ezra, it would be wise to pull back a bit, take a lower profile, turn down the volume. Don't you know, Ezra, that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar? Ezra always listens, but holding back is not his way. He knows that if you use gasoline instead of vinegar, you have a better chance of blowing the whole thing up. Which is more or less Ezra's goal when it comes to the Canadian human rights commissions (HRCs) and their abuse of, well, human rights.
Father Raymond J. de Souza, National Post, March 26

The right to offend
Ezra Levant is the No. 1 advocate for, and defender of, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of thought in modern Canada. His story, and the reason he has written Shakedown, began with the now famous Danish "Mohammed" cartoons.
Rex Murphy, Globe and Mail, March 28

Free speech shakedown
On Jan. 11, 2008, I was summoned to a 90-minute government interrogation. My crime? As the publisher of Western Standard magazine, I had reprinted Danish cartoons depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad to illustrate a news story. I was charged with the offence of "discrimination" and made to appear before Alberta's Human Rights and Citizenship Commission (AHRCC) for questioning. As crazy as it sounds, I became the only person in the world to face legal sanction for printing those cartoons.
Ezra Levant, National Post, March 31

Earlier: Human rights complaint against Christian Heritage Party dismissed

Other stories from the past week:

British Hindu seeks permission for outdoor funeral pyre
An elderly British Hindu has authorities in a tizzy by asking permission to be cremated in the traditional way -- on a funeral pyre in the open air. However, Davender Kumar Ghai, 75, stops short of asking that his ashes then be tipped into the nearest river as would be the custom in India.
Araminta Wordsworth, Full Comment, National Post, March 26

Alberta's law to embrace gay rights
Alberta Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett wants to include sexual orientation in the province's human rights laws, possibly as early as this spring. His proposed reform package will also include a new "parent's choice" provision, enshrining parental rights to withdraw their children from parts of the school curriculum that conflict with their religious beliefs.
Edmonton Journal, March 27

Homeless church has Hollywood ending
Finally, Mr. Malloy approached the owners of the historic Fox Theatre about renting the theatre on Sundays. Fox Theatre co-owner Andy Willick said the arrangement was a perfect fit, adding the church's sound equipment will allow the theatre to further diversify the Fox's programming, which already includes opera and ballet, to include concerts. "We don't have anyone here on Sundays, so it makes a lot of sense for us."
National Post, March 27

Man accused of killing pastor's daughter now faces sex charges involving girl
Ross Edward Kleman, 43, was charged last fall with first-degree murder in the death of Emily Stauffer, 14, on Sept. 27. He has pleaded not guilty. RCMP announced Friday that Kleman has now been charged with three sex crimes involving one girl under the age of 14.
Canadian Press, March 27
Earlier: Stories about the ex-preacher charged with murdering a pastor's daughter in Alberta

Slippery slope
When same-sex marriage was legalized in 2005, I argued that polygamy would follow. This is now happening.
David Warren, Ottawa Citizen, March 28
Earlier: Stories about Bountiful and the polygamy trial

Earth Hour brings out the pros and cons of nature-based religion
Environmentalism fails as a religion because it is not a complete world view
Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, March 28

Harsh reaction greets Stephen Harper's evangelical postings
The public appears sharply, angrily divided over Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to elevate two evangelical activists to high-level advisory positions in the Conservative minority government. About one-third of respondents support Harper naming Darrel Reid, former head of Focus on the Family, as deputy chief of staff in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), as well as Paul Wilson as director of policy.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, March 29

Canadian production company to help remake Ben-Hur
This production will be developed as a mini-series for ABC, involving production companies from Spain, Morocco, Germany as well as Canada's Muse Entertainment (I'm Not There, The Fountain).
The Ampersand, National Post, March 30

A cowardly man
Through 40 days of Lenten observance, Christians metaphorically follow the footsteps of Christ along the Via Dolorosa, the path from the Garden of Gethsemane -- where Christ prayed that if it were possible he might be spared the cup of suffering; "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done" -- to the place of a skull, called Golgotha, where what awaited Jesus was the cruelest form of execution the Romans had devised, a cross.
Ian Hunter, National Post, March 30

God save our song
Americans are now more familiar with the melody of God Save The King than we are -- and few of them know it was written by a Brit
Clare Westcott, National Post, March 30

Conservatives come in many flavours
Contrary to Mr. Nicholls' suggestion, there are not just two, but five -- or possibly six -- conservative elements in the Harper party. Harper does not govern alone. Each of those elements has at least one champion.
Lloyd Mackey, National Post, April 1

God Save the (non-Catholic) Queen
Prime Minister Stephen Harper saw the Queen this week in London. I don't know what they discussed, but soon enough the government of Canada is going to be consulted about changing the rules about who gets to be Queen. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has indicated his desire to amend the 1701 Act of Settlement to eliminate the prohibition on Catholics becoming sovereign, or heirs to the throne marrying Catholics.
Father Raymond J. de Souza, National Post, April 2
Earlier: Catholic sues for right to be monarch

Almighty Voice should take a deep breath
In 1991, aboriginal playwright Daniel David Moses got his hands on the hero/outlaw, writing Almighty Voice and His Wife, which Native Earth Performing Arts is currently reviving in a new production directed by Michael Greyeyes. . . . This titular wife is named White Girl, presumably because of the attitudes she learned when she was taken off to residential school. She has internalized what she calls the "bad medicine" of the school and its cruel Christian God, which haunts her as an all-seeing glass eye.
J. Kelly Nestruck, Globe and Mail, April 2

Spiritual groups launch "pilgrimage" to save Burns Bog
Metro Vancouver Unitarians, Christians, Jews and other spiritual adherents are organizing a "pilgrimage" to Burns Bog to rescue it from the proposed perimeter truckway that they say will become part of the Gateway mega-project that includes the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, April 2

April 2/2009