I think we can all agree he's a clown. Whether or not this is a human rights violation is the real debate.
I'm in this camp. I don't know how one defines a "human right" but I do not see being offended as enough of a threshold to claim a "human rights violation". That's just a gut feeling; I have no legal basis to justify that statement. You would think an element of "harm" would need to be established.
I'm not sure that works. People speak out against these morons who whine about trivial things all the time, but they keep whining.
I honestly think there should be some threshhold where you have to pay costs for filing a frivolous human rights complaint. The system the way it is now (no costs for people filing complaints whatsoever) encourages people to file for anything, and plays to the types who always have something to complain about.
That then pulls resources away from actual human rights issues where people are getting discriminated against in the workplace, etc.
I live in Canada and have heard Jesus talk all my life, even in public school, and I don't think I've ever had my "human rights violated" by any of it.
That being said, is it so hard to just leave the supernatural stuff out of politics? Seriously, just don't bring it up at public meetings. That's all. If only so we don't have to hear this kind of whining from busybodies.
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?
I think the Christian practice of praying before a meal has to do with the mindset of always being thankful, no matter what it is. Thanks God for this cheeseburger, thanks God that I have a job and can afford this cheeseburger, thanks God for a country that allows freedom of religion so that I can say "thanks God", etc...
I think the Christian practice of praying before a meal has to do with the mindset of always being thankful, no matter what it is. Thanks God for this cheeseburger, thanks God that I have a job and can afford this cheeseburger, thanks God for a country that allows freedom of religion so that I can say "thanks God", etc...
You missed, "Thank you for my cholesterol-reducing medication."
A good video that has much relevance in this conversation imo. The context of this video is the Christmas tradition, but many comparisons can be drawn:
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.
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.
Well it gets equated cause of the term 'human rights violation'. Perhaps a different term for civil rights should be created?
Well it gets equated cause of the term 'human rights violation'. Perhaps a different term for civil rights should be created?
Why aren't shoplifting and murder equated even though they're both referred to by the same term (crimes)?
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"Life of Russian hockey veterans is very hard," said Soviet hockey star Sergei Makarov. "Most of them don't have enough to eat these days. These old players are Russian legends."
There was controversy over this 8 or so years ago when Atch first got into the mayors office.
There was a big uproar because he put on a municipal function inviting saskatoons christian community to a $30 dollar breakfast banquet. I can't recall the original name.
It's now an annual event and the name was changed to the "Mayor's Prayer Breakfast". They claim all faiths are welcome but it's pretty much 99 percent rich white christians who attend.
Glad to hear he's being criticized for mixing religion and politics.
Calgary has something similar to this. Nenshi attended.
Why aren't shoplifting and murder equated even though they're both referred to by the same term (crimes)?
Dude, I'm just going by what the article said. He is complaining (or prepared to complain) to the human rights commission about a human rights violation.
The use of those terms, rightly or wrongly, will equate or bring up images or much more serious human rights violations around the world when someone reads that article. For me and for others (as has been shown already in the thread). And I can't say that's wrong.
As I said, if we want to have a better national discussion, maybe we need to change our language. But as it stands now I can understand the confusion or the equation.
Personally I do think it's a small problem, and I understand why people would be upset. But if it was me in that situation I would just shrug, it's not a big enough deal to get mad at.
As Troutman said, I think people (in this situation atheists) can hurt their cause by being over-sensitive.
Is this actually a City of Calgary event though? It doesn't look like it.
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"Life of Russian hockey veterans is very hard," said Soviet hockey star Sergei Makarov. "Most of them don't have enough to eat these days. These old players are Russian legends."
This annoys me somewhat as an atheist. How cares if they had a blessing, everyone should be able to believe in whatever they want. Some folks are simply to sensitive. Did it make his ears bleed to have to listen to the blessing for 30 seconds? Does listening to "Oh Canada" and "The Star Spangled Banner" before hockey games cause me great harm if I happen to be from Spain (I'm not, but you get the point)? Who cares, stop making everything all about you, let others live the way you want to live and quit yer bitchin.
Now if they had said "no soup for you unless you bow down to the great magical invisible being in the sky" I might have an issue.
This annoys me somewhat as an atheist. How cares if they had a blessing, everyone should be able to believe in whatever they want. Some folks are simply to sensitive. Did it make his ears bleed to have to listen to the blessing for 30 seconds? Does listening to "Oh Canada" and "The Star Spangled Banner" before hockey games cause me great harm if I happen to be from Spain (I'm not, but you get the point)? Who cares, stop making everything all about you, let others live the way you want to live and quit yer bitchin.
Now if they had said "no soup for you unless you bow down to the great magical invisible being in the sky" I might have an issue.
I'm the same way, I really don't care, it doesn't bug me. I do get in the conversation though because I can see how it could lead to larger issues.
But I do think that people in both camps are WAY too sensitive.
Absolutely it was inappropriate. I commend Mr. Solo for bravely speaking up.
Secularism is not the same thing as atheism. Since town council cannot possibly accommodate (nor wish to) the 3000 different gods worshipped by mankind, none at all should be.
Are hockey fans' human rights violated at every NHL game before a puck is even dropped?
Are NHL teams a state institution?
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"Life of Russian hockey veterans is very hard," said Soviet hockey star Sergei Makarov. "Most of them don't have enough to eat these days. These old players are Russian legends."
