News & Politics - US Religious groups send money to Canada to prevent gay marriage

TokyoNiGHTS · 02-08-2005, 08:08 AM

Sigh..

Quote:

"Clearly, we have free speech, but at the same time we want to protect the political equities in terms of the marketplace of ideas," Cotler said yesterday. "In other words, we don't want the public opinion to get mortgaged to the highest bidder in a certain sense.

Quote:

Influential U.S. evangelical leader James Dobson has waded into the same-sex debate in a paid radio show being broadcast to 130 radio stations across Canada.

Dobson's group, Focus on the Family, reports on its financial statements filed in the United States that it supplies hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in services "necessary to the operation of Focus on the Family Canada," a group at the forefront of the opponents to same-sex marriage.

Quote:

"I think it is reprehensible conduct for Canadian groups to accept such a thing."

New Democratic leader Jack Layton called on Revenue Minister John McCallum to ensure the groups aren't breaking rules governing charitable status.

"I think Canadians should be concerned when the George Bush right-wing religious viewpoints are brought here."

http://www.canada.com/montreal/montr...3ecc1ce&page=1

Seriously, is it not enough that they could be getting a possible ammendment in the US against gay marriage if Bush has his way, that they've gotta start going into other countries that try to have an open mind on the issue and throw their viewpoints around there too? I really hope Cotler can do everything he can to prevent stuff like this from happening.

googa · 02-08-2005, 11:33 PM

roswellain_chick16 · 02-08-2005, 11:50 PM

Im not even going to say what I feel about this in fear of being teared down for it but.... NOT FAIR!!!

*Ledi* · 02-09-2005, 08:35 AM

This really bugs me to no end. I can't understand why the US won't mind it's own business. I can't understand how these people are possibly affected by homosexuals in another country?!??!!?

This is ridiculous.

Milt Palacio · 02-09-2005, 08:37 AM

These religious groups need to mind their own business and stay out of other countries' affairs.

Temptress · 02-09-2005, 09:06 AM

Wow oh wow. I just have one question: can this strategy work or do you think Canada will say "screw you"?

*Ledi* · 02-09-2005, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Temptress

Wow oh wow. I just have one question: can this strategy work or do you think Canada will say "screw you"?

I think it's going to be the latter.

***Raonaild*** · 02-09-2005, 09:46 AM

Some US group wants to throw their money around up here on ads? Fine, so be it. It's not like we're about to have a referrendum on same sex marriage, these groups are all in an uproar because of a bill presented in Parliament formalizing the fact that same sex marriage is valid in Canada. All ads can possibly do is put some pressure on MPs because their constituents raise a fuss over the issue.

But, whether this particular bill passes or not, courts in, what, 7 provinces have already said that denying marriages to same sex couples is a Charter violation. The government is just clarifying what the courts say is already enshrined as part of Canadian law. The only way that right could be taken away now is for Parliament to use the Not-Withstanding clause to override that aspect of the Charter, and the federal government (which is, admittedly, a minority government) has repeatedly rejected that option.

TokyoNiGHTS · 02-09-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raonaild

Some US group wants to throw their money around up here on ads? Fine, so be it. It's not like we're about to have a referrendum on same sex marriage, these groups are all in an uproar because of a bill presented in Parliament formalizing the fact that same sex marriage is valid in Canada. All ads can possibly do is put some pressure on MPs because their constituents raise a fuss over the issue.

I think its really dangerous when other countries start trying to influence how another country should vote or live. If you aren't living there you (not talking about you, just the people who're doing this) shouldn't have any say in what they do there. It's not going to affect you in any way.

***Raonaild*** · 02-10-2005, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TokyoNiGHTS

I think its really dangerous when other countries start trying to influence how another country should vote or live. If you aren't living there you (not talking about you, just the people who're doing this) shouldn't have any say in what they do there. It's not going to affect you in any way.

I just can't get upset about influence that's all of the advertising variety. Especially when it's so indirect ... the people seeing the advertising aren't the ones doing the voting, Members of Parliament are, and they have a lot more than ads influencing them when it comes to a House vote. And even for your average person seeing these ads ... I personally just see the arguments against same-sex marriage as so irrational, I find it hard to believe that someone in favour right now would suddenly be swayed by anything the religious right had to say about it.

Now, if there were external influences on those MPs of a more concrete variety, ie. the US goverment making threats about trade etc. should this bill passed, I'd be up at arms right there with you.

**Mio** · 02-10-2005, 08:46 PM

Yes, like bribe money is going to work.

Here in Canada, religion does not rule government. Bush should take notes in that department.

Elizajoey · 02-11-2005, 04:51 AM

Instead of wasting the money that the 'FotF' group is spending on the ads - why don't they follow their name - why don't they put that money to a worthwhile cause of helping families rather than trying to tear apart families happiness.

Not only do groups like that not keep out of their own countrypeople's private lives, they have to go and invade people OTHER country's personal lives.

They don't care about the happiness it can bring families - look at any of marriages that have occurred - these people and their families are incredibly happy - the joy at finally being about to recognise the love they share for someone.

Groups like that irritate and disgust me.


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