305 replies to this topic

[olp1fan]

Harper is an evangelical Christian right? One thing I admire about him is he never talks about his christianity
its almost like he is scared to ... can't say the same about Obama though, the man constantly talks about religion

In Canada if a politician openly talks about their religion theres a backlash but in the US all they do is talk about their religions
and faith

Any comments?

Edited by olp1fan, 17 November 2011 - 04:55 PM.

[Topaz]

A person's religion doesn't matter until they are power to use it if they wish and that would go for world leaders, which would be important. Now Harper's, which is Christian and Missionary Alliance, which I've never hear of, but for those who never heard of it either this is what it is. http://en.wikipedia....ionary_Alliance

[Smallc]

That's because in Canada, in general, people don't want to hear about religion, and they don't want it to influence public policy. In the US, again, generally, the opposite is true. Religion, especially in the Republican Party, is worn as a badge of honour. In the primaries, if you aren't Christian enough, you don't stand a chance.

[MiddleClassCentrist]

if you aren't Christian enough, you don't stand a chance.

This is unfortunate.

I don't mind if a politician is religious.

But, I am glad that we don't have the circus that is Republican primaries in Canada.

[olp1fan]

A person's religion doesn't matter until they are power to use it if they wish and that would go for world leaders, which would be important. Now Harper's, which is Christian and Missionary Alliance, which I've never hear of, but for those who never heard of it either this is what it is. http://en.wikipedia....ionary_Alliance

Cam Ward & Ryan Smyth eh, didn't know that

[dre]

I don't mind if a politician is religious.

I cant decide. I agree people should be able to think what they want. On the other hand, I worry about putting people in charge that have radical beliefs.

[bush_cheney2004]

That's because in Canada, in general, people don't want to hear about religion, and they don't want it to influence public policy. In the US, again, generally, the opposite is true.

Yep...that would explain why religion does affect public policy in Canada via the Constitution Act, while the Americans figured it out almost 100 years before that.

[cybercoma]

Yep...that would explain why religion does affect public policy in Canada via the Constitution Act, while the Americans figured it out almost 100 years before that.

British Dominion (read: colony)... tough for you to understand?

[bush_cheney2004]

British Dominion (read: colony)... tough for you to understand?

Funding for Catholic and Protestant schools in several provinces as of 1998....too hard for you to understand?

[Shwa]

But, I am glad that we don't have the circus that is Republican primaries in Canada.

Really? Without forcing thread drift, I WISH we had primaries in Canada or something similar adapted to our system. A leadership convention spread across the country every four years for all the parties?

That "circus" exposes the candidates and provides far more information about their potential than a couple of carefully staged "debates" or photo ops in Brampton that practically nobody cares about. At least the Yanks know who they are voting for, warts and all. We still seem to get hoodwinked alot. Still.

[American Woman]

I cant decide. I agree people should be able to think what they want. On the other hand, I worry about putting people in charge that have radical beliefs.

Because of course non-religious, atheists, never have radical beliefs. I cite as an example, Mao.

Come on, dre. As if people who aren't religious never have "radical beliefs." Good grief.

[olp1fan]

Because of course non-religious, atheists, never have radical beliefs. I cite as an example, Mao.

Come on, dre. As if people who aren't religious never have "radical beliefs." Good grief.

this is about US and Canada... you may only use examples for those two countries

[cybercoma]

Funding for Catholic and Protestant schools in several provinces as of 1998....too hard for you to understand?

You know people choose which system their tax-dollars go towards, right?

[The_Squid]

I cant decide. I agree people should be able to think what they want. On the other hand, I worry about putting people in charge that have radical beliefs.

I agree.... Personally, it's odd to vote for anyone who believes in myths, whatever the religion.

Yep...that would explain why religion does affect public policy in Canada via the Constitution Act, while the Americans figured it out almost 100 years before that.

You're absolutely correct.... we haven't got it figured out quite yet.... hopefully we will one day.

In notes for his June 8, 1789, speech introducing the Bill of Rights, Madison indicated his opposition to a "national" religion.

Now if only some people in your country would agree with you and Madison about a national religion... it seems that, in practice, this is not lived up to by a vocal minority, or maybe even a majority of people in the USA. In practice, the USA does has a national religion.

[MiddleClassCentrist]

Really? Without forcing thread drift, I WISH we had primaries in Canada or something similar adapted to our system. A leadership convention spread across the country every four years for all the parties?

That "circus" exposes the candidates and provides far more information about their potential than a couple of carefully staged "debates" or photo ops in Brampton that practically nobody cares about. At least the Yanks know who they are voting for, warts and all. We still seem to get hoodwinked alot. Still.

You do make a valid point.

I was thinking more along the lines of how embarassing it is to have someone like Michelle Bachmann being considered a serious contender at one point.

Edited by MiddleClassCentrist, 18 November 2011 - 03:03 PM.