Christian Blessing at Public Event: Human Rights Violation?

[kn]

In light of the Alberta election, I'm curious how many people see a Christian blessing by a municipal councillor over dinner at a public event as crossing the line. Is it a human rights violation?

http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/04...nner-blessing/

[HELPNEEDED]

As a non-christian, honestly it would not offend me. I dunno, Solo is a befiting name for that loser.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by kn

In light of the Alberta election, I'm curious how many people see a Christian blessing by a municipal councillor over dinner at a public event as crossing the line. Is it a human rights violation?

http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/04...nner-blessing/

I would say no, not a violation. Presumably everyone was able to not participate if they wished.

I wouldn't be offended if our mayor gave a Muslim blessing (or similar, I'm unsure of the customs involved) at a meal.

[oilyfan]

I believe that religion has no place in government, so yes I do think this was a human rights violation

[Cheese]

I agree with oilyfan that religion should be left out of politics. I wouldnt complain if attending, but would be disappointed that they thought it proper.

[Jacks]

Is it a human rights violation? who knows, maybe.

Is it completely stupid? yes.

I'm an atheist.

[undercoverbrother]

Really, i have had enough of people and their human right violations.....these are not human right violation.......these are third world problems. We have it so good that we need to make up issues.

what a jacka$$

[Makarov]

In my view, it is not appropriate for elected or government officials to be performing any sort of religious ritual at a public event while they are acting in their public capacity. Mr. Solo is perfectly entitled to complain about this (although, on account of my tremendous laziness, I wouldn't have bothered if I were him.)

Mayor Atchinson's response was particularly troubling:

Atchison said he was caught off-guard by the complaint because many of the events he attends include a prayer before meals.
“I’ve never given it any thought at all,” he said.
Atchison said he is sorry to hear Solo felt excluded.
He suggested in the future, the dinner could feature prayers from different religions on a rotating basis. There could even be a dinner with no prayer at all for atheists, he said.

Talk about missing the point.

Obviously, people in attendance at such events are perfectly entitled to say their own grace or blessing before they begin eating.

[Daradon]

I definitely understand the problem with it, especially at a political function, and I wouldn't be thrilled with it if I was there, but calling it a human rights violation is massively overboard.

Child soldiers in Africa, Female mutilation (also in Africa), Female rights in China, Forced to listen to a prayer at a Saskatoon banquet...

Hmmmm...

[troutman]

Technically not okay, but I think atheists/humanists do more harm to their cause by complaining about the little things.

I've recently noticed a few families saying grace at fast food joints. I have nothing against the ritual, but are you really grateful for the cheeseburger and fries?

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

I'm not religous in the least but I can respect the fact that other people are, something this loser appears unable to do. It isn't a governmental decision that includes religion, it isn't telling someone you can't eat because you don't believe in Jesus, the Councillor is merely expressing his religious views as an individual, as well as likely those of a large proportion of the room. It isn't 100% correct, but if someone is getting offended by listening to a prayer that reflects worse on them than it does on the person saying the prayer.

This Solo guy is ruining an otherwise potentially badass last name.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Daradon

I definitely understand the problem with it, especially at a political function, and I wouldn't be thrilled with it if I was there, but calling it a human rights violation is massively overboard.

Child soldiers in Africa, Female mutilation (also in Africa), Female rights in China, Forced to listen to a prayer at a Saskatoon banquet...

Hmmmm...

i miss that part....i change my stance

[Knalus]

Wouldn't it be a human rights violation to stop him from practicing his religion?

At the same time, with the way the Human Rights commission would likely rule, it might also be a human rights violation what he did.

In short, rights are likely violated in either event. Our current system, if it can't handle common sense and just let things go sometimes, can be pretty ridiculous.

[Puppet Guy]

That violates human rights as much as someone saying "bless you" after I sneeze does.

[photon]

I don't understand well enough what the definition of a human rights violation is in Canada to judge if this qualifies.

Considering Saskatoon has a "cultural diversity and race relations committee" they should be more respectful of others.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Is it a human rights violation? who knows, maybe.

Is it completely stupid? yes.

I'm an atheist.

Exactly. Is it politically astute, probably not. Is it a human rights violation, umm no. That should be for things like actual discrimination where someone has been harmed.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Technically a violation? Maybe, but then if he said nothing and the Christians in attendance felt it was a slight at them and a promotion of atheism, wouldn't that be a violation too? Regardless this guy is a clown and is wasting an already clogged court systems time.

[Huntingwhale]

Who gives a crap. If your not Christian then ignore it. If you are Christian then smile and nod. I agree that religion should be kept out of politics. But let's not start tossing the words ''human rights violation'' out when there are millions around the world being oppressed with actual human rights violations. The mayor said grace ffs.

[calgaryrocks]

Mr. Solo needs to get a life and worry about bigger and more important issues. human rights violation? seriously?

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Daradon

I definitely understand the problem with it, especially at a political function, and I wouldn't be thrilled with it if I was there, but calling it a human rights violation is massively overboard.

Child soldiers in Africa, Female mutilation (also in Africa), Female rights in China, Forced to listen to a prayer at a Saskatoon banquet...

Hmmmm...

Who is equating any of these things? Is shoplifting a package of chewing gum still a crime, even though it is an incredibly minor one? Yes, clearly it is.

Originally Posted by Knalus

Wouldn't it be a human rights violation to stop him from practicing his religion?

No one is suggesting stopping him from practicing his religion. There would be no legitimate complaint if this official had quietly and privately said grace over only his own meal.