A French-style set of laws imposing “laïcité” is now increasingly resisted, both in Quebec and in other provinces.
Canada
The Gospel According to the Elves: Quebec Secularism Law Targets Even Baby Jesus
Quebec’s new “Secularism 2.0” law is less about neutrality than about neutering religion, reducing faith to folklore while policing prayer out of public life.
Ontario Superior Court of Justice States Jehovah’s Witnesses Have No “Systemic” Problem of Child Sexual Abuse
A certification motion for a class actions lawsuit making the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization liable for individual members’ abuses was rejected.
Canada’s Shin Mei: No Tax Exemption for Shinto Place of Worship
British Columbia’s Supreme Court did not find the Knapp Island center “public” enough and supported an expansive approach to taxing religious properties.
Russian Doukhobors in Canada. 3. The Forced Assimilation of Children
Boarding schools for sons and daughters of the Doukhobors were a brutal attempt at eradicating their culture and identity. Canada has yet to apologize.
Russian Doukhobors in Canada. 2. The Sons of Freedom’s Protest and Violence
Arson and nudity made this branch of the movement notorious in Canada. But they had their reasons to protest.
Russian Doukhobors in Canada 1. The Coming of the Doukhobors
One branch of the anarchist sect went from pacifism to violence. It did not represent the whole community.
Khalistan Movement Attacks Hindu Temple in Canada
Violent extremists claiming the Sikh homeland in India should become an independent state remain a problem in Canada and other countries.
Shahbaz Bhatti: A Public Park Is Named After Him in Canada
The Catholic martyr of Islamic ultra-fundamentalist terrorism is honored by the city of Brampton. His process of canonization continues.
Canada’s Indian Residential Schools: Apologies Yes, Burning Churches No
Yes, Christian churches should apologize for what happened in Indian Residential Schools. No, destroying places of worship is not an acceptable reaction.