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Stories about the polygamist cult at Bountiful:

B.C. polygamist leaders charged in case that will test ban on multiple marriage
After decades of controversy and allegations, RCMP swept into the polygamous community of Bountiful, B.C., on Wednesday and arrested two sect leaders, including one who had bragged of multiple wives and dozens of children and all but dared police to stop him. Winston Blackmore and James Oler - leaders of separate, divided factions in the community of about 1,000 people - were each charged with a single count of practising polygamy.
Canadian Press, January 7

Polygamy charges in Bountiful
Leaders of the two factions in the polygamous community of Bountiful have been charged under the Criminal Code with practising polygamy. In a sensational turn in a 20-year-old debate over the issue of polygamy in Canada, police have charged Jim Oler and Winston Blackmore.
Globe and Mail, January 7

Polygamy charges in Bountiful
In a legal showdown over Canada's polygamy law that has been 20 years in the making, B.C. Attorney-General Wally Oppal announced charges yesterday against religious leader Winston Blackmore, who has openly talked about having married several young brides, and a rival leader in the religious sect.
Globe and Mail, January 8

'Bountiful' sect leaders charged with polygamy
Winston Blackmore had told his many children and his many wives in the past that he could be arrested one day and charged with polygamy. But the arrival of eight RCMP officers at Blackmore's home in the polygamous community of Bountiful, B.C., yesterday left the children crying and his wives shocked by the suddenness of the charges after almost two decades of investigations.
Toronto Star, January 8

Polygamy showdown
Plainclothes police visit Bountiful and charge two fundamentalist Mormon leaders
Daphne Bramham, Vancouver Sun, January 8
Also: National Post

Polygamy law faces stiff test under Charter
Canada's courts ultimately might have no choice but to rule that polygamy is protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, legal experts say. Over the past two decades, four attorneys-general in British Columbia have been reluctant to lay a charge because of a fear that their cases would have no chance of surviving a religious freedom defence under the Charter. Last April, Wally Oppal, the current Attorney-General, said the criminal justice branch believed any prosecution would fail because of a possible violation of the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. But he also said the only way to test it was to lay a charge and "let the defence worry about the constitutionality issue."
Charles Lewis, National Post, January 8

Earlier: Stories about the polygamist cult at Bountiful

Stories about Vancouver's retiring Catholic archbishop:

Archbishop retires, cites struggle with depression
Cleric, 69, said learning to cope with his illness led him to reassess his calling as a priest
Canadian Press, January 3

Changing of the guard for Catholic leadership
Raymond Roussin, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Vancouver, has officially retired because of long-standing health concerns. Archbishop Michael Miller will automatically become Roussin's successor and assume full pastoral responsibility for the archdiocese of more than 400,000 Catholics, according to a press release from the archdiocese.
Vancouver Sun, January 3

Roussin's replacement could eventually bring B.C. a cardinal
The appointment of a top Vatican official to assist Vancouver Archbishop Raymond Roussin, who has battled clinical depression, is raising speculation the multi-ethnic archdiocese will gain a larger profile in the global Roman Catholic church.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, January 5

Though forced to retire early, Catholic Archbishop a real 'mensch'
It's hard not to like someone who cites spiritual teachers Henri Nouwen and Ronald Rolheiser as inspirations. But that's what early-retiring Vancouver Catholic archbishop Raymond Roussin does. And for that he deserves some respect.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, January 5

Earlier: Catholic archbishop takes leave for clinical depression

Stories about Doubt:

Of clouds and Catholics
Filmmaking is a collaborative art, so why isn't film reviewing? Each week in this space, experts, artists and paying movie customers come together to take apart a recent release. It's salty. It's full of hot air. It's the Popcorn Panel. This week's panel: Alison Broverman is a writer and occasional playwright. Peter Kuling recently realized that he hasn't been to confession in about 20 years. Mark Andrada is a Toronto comedian and former altar boy. This week's film: Doubt.
National Post, December 19

Streep as evil nun inspires Oscar talk
Compelling performance brings new dimension to traditionally villainous character
Katherine Monk, CanWest News Service, December 19

Earlier: Earth Stood Still remake a cryptic and gloomy mixed bag

Stories about abortion and other life issues:

A new eugenics
As pre-natal screening becomes widespread, our society must ask how we can justify telling potential new members they don't make the grade
Margaret Somerville, Canwest News Service, December 27

'Pro-life' debate gains modern crusader
The abortion debate is about to enter a "new era" of advocacy for the rights of the unborn, says a Conservative MP who recently took over the chairmanship of a secretive, parliamentary anti-abortion caucus. The all-party caucus will publicize what it views as inadequate abotion regulation, and push for legislation to restrict abortions, Winnipeg MP Rod Bruinooge said in an interview.
Globe and Mail, December 29

Crown to appeal acquittal of Quebec man in assisted suicide case
The Crown is appealing the acquittal of a Quebec man who was found not guilty earlier this month of helping his ailing uncle commit suicide. A jury acquitted Stephan Dufour on Dec. 12 on a charge of aiding or abetting Chantal Maltais to kill himself in September 2006. Dufour, who pleaded not guilty, testified he installed an apparatus made of cords and a chain inside Maltais' bedroom closet.
Canadian Press, December 29

Why I am pro-life
I think it is essential for a society to value its unborn citizens. The importance we give our offspring prebirth affects the importance we place on them post-birth. In Canada in 2008, our citizens have no legal value while in the wombs of their mothers. We are completely alone in the world in this regard.
Rod Bruinooge, National Post, December 29

Pro-life absurdity
For once, a pro-lifer has it exactly right. Rod Bruinooge, who claims to have been elected the new head of the multi-party Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus -- the group's membership is secret, but no one has come forward to contradict him on the matter -- told the Canadian Press on Tuesday: "In Canada you can't remove your kidney, and put it on eBay and auction it off. That is illegal. Whereas you actually can end a beating heart of an unborn child the second before it's delivered. Most Canadians would agree that is truly a poor bioethical position for our country to be in."
Colby Cosh, National Post, January 2

The holes in Colby Cosh's abortion jihad
This may be wild guess, but I sense a bit of anger on the part of columnist Colby Cosh when it comes to religion. His column in Friday's paper, Pro-Life Absurdity, is infused with ravings at the anti-abortion position, especially as it pertains to Christians.
Charles Lewis, Full Comment, National Post, January 2

Earlier: Stories about abortion, euthanasia and the pro-life movement

Stories about religious and multicultural issues in Quebec:

Religious Ed. Rebellion
A new religion course taught in schools across Quebec was intended to improve inter-cultural understanding, but so far it is generating deep division as hundreds of parents pull their children out of class. A high school in Granby, Que., has in the past week handed one-day suspensions to seven students boycotting the Ethics and Religious Culture course on the grounds that it violates their freedom of conscience. In nearby Drummondville, a couple will be going to court next spring with a constitutional challenge to the mandatory course.
National Post, December 19

Montreal nuns moving - with saint's remains
Exit of Sisters of Charity, who sold prime downtown property, symbolizes decline of Catholic Church in Quebec
Globe and Mail, December 23

Charles Taylor and Grard Bouchard
Academics moderated the often explosive hearings on Quebec's relationship with minorities and brought them calmly to a close
Globe and Mail, December 23

Earlier: Stories about religious and multicultural issues in Quebec

Stories about Christmas:

Try cutting Christians some slack at Christmas
With many growing soft and sentimental during the Christmas season, even in our largely secular culture, it might be a good opportunity to reach out and have a holiday lunch with an actual Christian. After all, Christianity is the reason everyone is getting a few statutory holidays in the next week.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, December 18

Say it loud and proud: 'Merry Christmas'
One recent December, a tour guide on Canada's Parliament Hill was overheard referring to the "Christmas Trees" in the main hall. When the guide's heresy was reported to her superiors, she was firmly told that the decorated greenery were most certainly not "Christmas trees," and a heated debate ensued as to just what to call the arboreal splendour. It was decided that guides would refer only to "Festive Bushes" for the remainder of the holiday season. But this year, Quebec Premier Jean Charest quickly corrected an overeager staffer who declared that a "Holiday Tree" would be lighted in the provincial capital. Charest's commonsensical statement that it was, in fact, a "Christmas Tree" was a welcome rebuke to the seasonal game of sensitivity and silly bears that goes on every year.
Theo Caldwell, National Post, December 19

The meaning of Christmas
The Jesus story reads differently for different folks, table talk shows; some believe, others doubt
Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, December 20

The meaning of Christmas: The fact of Jesus
But it is the central claim of Christianity that God spoke definitively at Christmas. The revelation of God through the birth of Jesus, the incarnate Word which dwelt among us, is the most immediate and the most eternal of God's revelations.
Ian Hunter, National Post, December 22

Pope's visit next May will help give overlooked Nazareth a higher profile
Visitors more set on going to Jerusalem or Bethlehem
Matthew Fisher, CanWest News Service, December 22

Are Trevor Linden, and Mats Sundin, bigger than Jesus?
I don't ask this question to be blasphemous at Christmas. To the contrary. I ask it to help us reflect on what we value most at this season of the year.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, December 22

Volunteers show the spirit of Christmas by helping others
Carol MacLean has always loved to give more than receive. As a child, she would wrap each sock as a separate gift so her siblings got more presents for Christmas. And whenever she's given a hot coffee or a snack by passersby while collecting money for the Salvation Army's kettle campaign, she always gives it to a homeless person nearby.
Vancouver Sun, December 23

Jesus, family man
This changes our picture of Jesus, for in first-century Judea life was lived with relatives; we now have a growing awareness of Jesus the family man, which gives us a partial genealogy of his family and descendants --Dan Brown, beware!
Geoffrey Clarfield, National Post, December 23

Nativity pageants can be wild events
When animals are invited into churches to act out roles in plays about the traditional Christmas story, anything can -- and often does -- happen
Toronto Star, December 24

Christmas comes to Kandahar
Every morning for the past nine days, Capt. Roy Laudenorio has risen long before the sun and headed to church. The days between Dec. 16 to Dec. 24 are an important part of Christmas celebrations for the hundreds of Filipinos who make up a large portion of the civilian work force living alongside the military forces at Kandahar Airfield.
CanWest News Service, December 24

Canadians give blessing to angels
67 per cent of us profess a belief in the celestial spirits, a national poll shows
CanWest News Service, December 24

A faith few can fathom
The genius of Christianity is never so much in view as it is during Christmas. Others will argue that Easter is the moment, the time when Christ rose from the dead, and by doing so redeemed all of mankind. That is pretty heady stuff. No question. Christmas, though, is just as profound, but in a much quieter way. Christmas is about what it means to have the kind of faith that few can fathom or risk. It is about trust beyond all comprehension.
Charles Lewis, National Post, December 24

Chipping away at Christmas
The same people behind turning your neighbourhood school's Christmas concert into a Winter Family Festival would be appalled by the arrogance of any small band of Christians seeking to expunge all references to Diwali -- the Hindu festival of lights -- from public institutions in New Delhi or public mentions of Ramadan in Riyadh. Still, they cannot see the arrogance of their own attempts to impose minority secularist beliefs on the mainstream culture in Toronto or Regina or Halifax.
Lorne Gunter, National Post, December 24

Snowbound at Christmas? Love the one you dine with
If you're stuck because of the snow that fell upon Metro Vancouver and the rest of Canada and can't travel to the seasonal events you had planned, you can try enjoying the folks you end up with -- especially over a meal.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, December 24

Celebrating a non-Christian Christmas
Christmas isn't just for Christians. Secularists conceived that ridiculous myth, and many liberals played right into their waiting hands.
Michael Taube, Full Comment, National Post, December 25

Continue article >>

Earlier: Stories about Christmas

Stories about people who survived -- or didn't -- in the cold:

Husband of Ontario woman who survived three days in snow says God saved her
The husband of an Ontario woman who went missing for three days after a blizzard and was found alive outside in frigid temperatures is calling her survival a divine miracle. Donna Molnar, 55, disappeared Friday after going out to buy groceries. She was found Monday in a clearing near Ancaster, Ont., buried under 60 centimetres of snow.
Canadian Press, December 23

'God reached down' to save her: husband
The husband of a 55-year-old Ancaster woman who was found alive after spending nearly three days buried under two feet of snow is calling her recovery a "truly miraculous Christmas gift from God." "I believe God literally reached down and cradled her until someone could find her," David Molnar said yesterday. "People say it was a Christmas miracle and I won't disagree. I mean, the potential for survival under those conditions was literally nil."
National Post, December 24

'God ... was watching over him'
Snowboarder's mother gives thanks for a miracle after son survives three nights on a B.C. mountain
Globe and Mail, January 2

Peeling back the walls
Here's a wish for this city in 2009: No one should freeze to death -- or be burned up trying to avoid freezing -- in the Downtown Eastside. That's what happened just before Christmas when Tracey, a woman living on the streets, was burned to death.
Father Raymond J. De Souza, National Post, January 3

Stories about Jews and Judaism:

Jewish symbols vital to ceramicist's art
Israeli immigrant creates menorahs and regains joy in craft and religion at the urging of new friends
Toronto Star, December 21

Madoff affair crushes Jewish charities
Bernie Madoff's stunning US$50-billion alleged ripoff of investors has cut a huge, devastating swathe through the ranks of the super-wealthy of New York, Hollywood and Palm Beach, some of whom have had their entire fortunes wiped out or seriously compromised. Among those individuals whose charities were said to have lost millions in Mr. Madoff's alleged Ponzi scheme were Steven Spielberg, the film director, Mortimer Zuckerman, the Montreal-born publisher and real estate developer, and Elie Wiesel, the Nobel laureate author, activist and Holocaust survivor, whose foundation helps Ethiopian Jews in Israel.
National Post, December 22

Fighting affects interfaith projects
As the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, so do tensions in the GTA -- between protesters on the streets, between people trying to work together on interfaith projects and, some say, between Muslims and Muslims, Jews and Jews.
Toronto Star, January 5

Large Jewish organizations go AWOL on Gaza
Israel has now been officially at war with Gaza for 10 days. Yet, in all this time, Canada's largest Jewish organizations cannot even see fit to create a presence on their home pages for Israel. There are no organized calls to action, no public denunciations of Hezbollah support on the streets of Toronto. No statement about the bravery of the pro-Israel supporters, nothing -- gurnisht.
Laura Rosen Cohen, Full Comment, National Post, January 5

Stories about Islam and the West:

Questioning of Prophet's existence stirs outcry
Muslim academic says research leads him to believe Muhammad is a mythical figure
Tom Harpur, Toronto Star, December 23

Youth-run Muslim event draws thousands
In a darkened hall in the Metro Convention Centre, hundreds walk into the sound of the melodious recitation of the Qu'ran. Jumbo screens beam the image of the illuminated stage to the growing crowd waiting for the Reviving the Islamic Spirit conference to begin. When the conference began seven years ago, it was purely education focused, a three-day boost of Islamic knowledge and inspiration. But going by the number of young children, the conference has developed into a more family-oriented event, aimed at community building as much as uplifting.
Toronto Star, December 27

Iran charges Canadian blogger with insulting religious figures
An outspoken Canadian blogger born in Iran has been detained by authorities there for almost two months, prompting worries about his well-being. Judiciary spokesman Ali Reza Jamshidi told reporters in Tehran that Hossein Derakhshan was being held under order of the revolutionary court.
Canadian Press, December 31

The Islamic movement that just won't die
On Monday, as Israeli bombs rained down on Gaza, a group of 10 Egyptian surgeons made their way across the frontier into the embattled Palestinian strip. They came through the infamous tunnels that have served as a supply route to Gaza from Egypt, even as Israel began shelling the passageways.
Globe and Mail, January 3

New wave of minority comedians gets attention
Ali Rizvi jokes that Muslims procreate by touching their thick, caterpillar-like eyebrows and that every four years, those brows turn into butterflies and fly away.
Toronto Star, January 4

Hearings open in killing of Aqsa Parvez
The two men accused in the high-profile death of 16-year-old Aqsa Parvez appeared in a Brampton court yesterday as a preliminary hearing began in a case previously described as an alleged honour killing. Ms. Parvez was found strangled in her family's home on Dec. 10, 2007, a killing that drew international attention for an apparent clash of Muslim and Western cultures.
National Post, January 8

It's time for all of us to embrace ijtihad
In Gaza a few years ago, I conducted an on-camera interview with the political leader of Islamic Jihad, Mohammed al-Hindi. With his finely trimmed beard and gracious manners, he symbolized the modern - and moderate - Muslim man. But his interpretation of the Koran suggested something else. "Where," I asked, "does it say that you can kill yourself for a higher cause? As far as I know, the Koran tells us that suicide is wrong."
Irshad Manji, Globe and Mail, January 8

Earlier: Stories about Islam and the West

Other stories from the past three weeks:

My sister thinks I don't get it because I'm not a Christian
I pointed out that my steadfast commitment to my niece has a lot to teach her about family, love and commitment. My sister agreed to let her daughter come with me but is very upset with me. She thinks I can't understand because I'm not a Christian.
Claudia Dey, Globe and Mail, December 19

Healing the spirit amid the clamour
Catholic nun, Buddhist tutor both find inner harmony reaching out to others in Toronto
Toronto Star, December 24

Stain on 1911 land deal
Museum to restore native community's spectacular stained glass windows
National Post, December 24

A priest who chose peace over power
Here a few days before Christmas for the funeral of the great Jesuit theologian Cardinal Avery Dulles, it was to Fifth Avenue that we came, to St. Patrick's Cathedral. At the end of grand funeral Mass, we processed down the main aisle toward the immense front doors of the cathedral, thrown open only on special occasions. It's quite a sight, for across Fifth Avenue at Rockefeller Center is the immense bronze of Atlas, straining and striving to carry the celestial spheres upon his back. The choice is stark. To stand in that funeral procession is to be confronted with two competing accounts of reality.
Father Raymond J. de Souza, Full Comment, National Post, December 24

Life Lessons
Once Mandrykine grows a little more subdued, it becomes clear the three classmates are nervous before their presentation. Eyes down looking at their scripts, voices monotone and in unison: "We are from Ms. Tong's class. We are collecting for Union Gospel Mission. Our goal is $1,500."
Vancouver Sun, December 26

Earthquakes shake Canada's 'spiritual geography'
Three new books try to help us negotiate Canada's changing spiritual and religious terrain. Two of them track developments in Christianity, which remains relevant in a country where two out of three people tell pollsters they believe Jesus is divine, even though only one in three regularly attend church. The third book explores non-institutional spirituality, particularly West Coast nature reverence. In other words, the third book delves literally into Canada's spiritual geography.
Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, December 27

To pray or to relax?
In his book The Peculiar Life of Sundays, Stephen Miller sweeps through countries, epochs and theological debates to give a sense of the dialogue between Christianity and the wider culture over the proper place of Sunday in people's lives. Christian leaders' anxiety over not offending God has competed against the wishes of people who wanted to do their own thing and weren't particularly concerned about divine wrath.
Brian Welter, Vancouver Sun, December 27

Image of Christ seen in landscape painting
A retired Kingsville, Ont. bookkeeper with a painting hobby has created a canvas that appears to be a landscape up close, and an image of Jesus Christ from about three metres back. Jackqueline Whitson did it without even trying. The 64 year old had been working on the painting on and off for months, but it wasn't until Dec. 7 - a Sunday - when her husband, Harold, first discovered Jesus' mug. It was the first time he had caught a glimpse of the painting from a distance.
CanWest News Service, December 30

Tarting up chastity
Chastity is back, but this time it is for sale.
National Post, December 30

How many Canadians are Christian?
The answers range from higher than 75 per cent to lower than 15 per cent. The answer clearly centres on how one defines "Christian." And on that there is very little consensus.
Douglas Todd, The Search, Vancouver Sun, December 30

Youthful ambition for return to tradition
After a contentious and bitter election in November, the youth slate's Amardeep Singh Deol emerged as the leader of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara temple, where he stands in the forefront of a new generation that could shift how Canada's Punjabi community is viewed
Globe and Mail, January 1
Earlier: Stories about Sikhs and Sikhism

2009 spiritual guiding lights
2008 may have been religious chaos, but there were some trends going into the new year
Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, January 2

They once were lost
A professional baseball player destroys his golden opportunity in a haze of drugs and alcohol and is given a second shot at glory. A death row inmate asks a nun to help him to die and finds redemption and the chance to feel like a human being again. To the secular, these are stories about the power of forgiveness and the shot at a second chance. To the religious, they are modern parables that show how forgiveness leads to salvation and, ultimately, heaven.
National Post, January 3

In God's Country
Great stories about salvation and second chances are found throughout the ages. The New Testament story of the Prodigal Son, the father who welcomes back his wayward child, has permeated the larger culture; at the other end of the spectrum is country music.
National Post, January 3

No apologies
It's hard to reconcile such a presentable, intelligent and Christian man with such an incendiary movie. Walt Ruloff, a 44-year-old Canadian high-tech mogul, was explaining why he came up with the idea to finance Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.
Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, January 3
Earlier: Expelled brings Intelligent Design controversy back home to Canada

Residential schools apology deeply moved Harper, changed his views
Aboriginals across Canada were moved to tears last June in a wave of deep emotion to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Indian residential schools apology on the floor of the House of Commons. Newly released internal e-mails indicate the event had a significant impact on Mr. Harper as well.
Globe and Mail, January 6
Earlier: Fontaine offers olive branch to Catholic bishops

There's power in the here and now
Eckhart Tolle, a Vancouver author of books about seeking inner peace, has become the unchallenged king of paperback self-help. Blessed by Oprah Winfrey and her book club, published in 33 languages, described by The New York Times as the leading spiritual writer of the day, Tolle has persuaded grateful millions that he can lead them toward the life of serenity they desire.
Robert Fulford, National Post, January 6
Earlier: Veteran apologist tackles Tolle bestseller

A prayer for the jobless
The Church of England offers comfort for Britons who have been laid off - and for those who haven't but feel guilty
Globe and Mail, January 7

Group raises awareness of human trafficking
Will the 2010 Winter Olympics attract human trafficking and prostitution? A religious group believes it will and is weighing in with an educational kit it wants to distribute to schools to teach students about the root causes of trafficking.
Vancouver Sun, January 8

Altar Boyz busy saving sinners
Altar Boyz is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Christian-rock boy bands, and Arts Club Theatre artistic managing director Bill Millerd fell in love with this little off-Broadway wonder when he saw it in New York. Millerd directs a new production of Altar Boyz that starts with a tour of the Lower Mainland, shifts to the B.C. interior for a week and then takes a break before spending most of the summer on the Arts Club's Granville Island Stage.
Peter Birnie, Vancouver Sun January 8

Cultural rebel on the gridiron
Tonight in Miami, the Oklahoma Sooners and Florida Gators will play for the American college football championship. If Florida wins, it will be due to the play of quarterback Tim Tebow. He is arguably the best player in college football, and, more than that, an important cultural phenomenon.
Father Raymond J.De Souza, National Post, January 8

January 8/2009