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Canadians have a very bad understanding of the "separation of Church & State" - both its origin and its present-day application.
*Catholics* also have a very bad understanding of the "separation of Church & State" - both its origin and its present-day application.
Briefly, "separation of Church & State" (SoC&S) does NOT mean "people with a devout faith need to avoid participating in electoral politics / government". 1/
SoC&S does NOT mean that religious authorities (pastors, Bishops, rabbis...) should avoid petioning government leaders on matters of faith & morals, or continue forming the consciences of faithful politcians. 2/
SoC&S means that religious authorities should not be given control over the levers of government - that a Bishop should not also be a prince or governor of a region, that a pastor leading a congregation not also be the mayor or local judge. 3/
Further, the concept of SoC&S - as I understand it - is kind of alien to Canada. It's an American term coined by Jefferson, the concept coming out of the French revolution.
Enlightment thinkers - and US revolutionaries were (understandably) skeptical of monarchs & Bishops. 4/
Enlightment thinkers - and US revolutionaries were (understandably) skeptical of monarchs & Bishops. 4/
But Canada was formed in many ways in opposition to the US experiment w/ liberty, individualism & SoC&S.
Ours is a much more Anglo-Catholic tradition. 5/
Ours is a much more Anglo-Catholic tradition. 5/
Consider that our Head of State (HM Queen Elizabeth II) also serves as head of the Church of England.
26 Anglican Bishops sit as 'Lords Spiritual' in the British House of Lords (a kind of parallel to our Canadian Senate), and can participate in political debate. 6/
26 Anglican Bishops sit as 'Lords Spiritual' in the British House of Lords (a kind of parallel to our Canadian Senate), and can participate in political debate. 6/
Now, of course, Canada does not have an official religion (a 'Church of Canada').
But that doesn't mean that religious people (incl. religious leaders) shouldn't participate fully in Canada's political life. 7/
But that doesn't mean that religious people (incl. religious leaders) shouldn't participate fully in Canada's political life. 7/
The Americanisation of our politics/media, and the growing secularisation generally has turned SoC&S into a kind of lazy political weapon. 8/
As soon as a politician invokes a religious text, a personal religious experience, or is seen as particularly devout, ppl scream "SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE!" in an attempt to discredit them. 9/
Might I suggest Canada reevaluate the role of religions (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Indigenous...) to offer them greater pride of place in society?
At the very least, might the wisdom of religious leaders & their followers be complimentary to the temporal work of govt's? 10/
At the very least, might the wisdom of religious leaders & their followers be complimentary to the temporal work of govt's? 10/
Of course, on these matters I defer to greater minds like @BenWoodfinden , @TorCentre , @sachaforstner et. al.
Am I on the right track, gentlemen?
Am I on the right track, gentlemen?
