Comments on: Do my American friends understand this?

By: Ali

Ali — Mon, 31 Mar 2003 07:29:25 +0000

It’s still quite a shock to hear people talking in work about being Christians, going to church etc. You just wouldn’t *do* that in the UK. You don’t talk about it in public, just like you don’t talk to strangers on the London Underground. I like it here, but it’s still very different to my country.

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Sun, 30 Mar 2003 03:02:46 +0000

Hi William:

No one is going to call/accuse/label any individual imperialistic in their discussion here at this blog William.
You’re safe.:^)

Again, I have to honestly admit I don’t ever remember any Canadian politican publically using biblical/religious phrases.
Anyone who wishes to correct me feel free.

It would and has been a political death sentence.
Privately yes, I have spoken to all levels of elected officials about faith issues, but we are so politically correct here any politican using any religious language would probably be hauled before the human rights commission.

Separation of church and state is an American ideal, and the issue wouldn’t be argued that way in Canada.

Our Charter is very young, and the Supreme Court has more say than politicans.

I’m not saying religious language/belief is right/wrong and should be separated publically/privately.
I will say that Judeo-Christian language would be fired at first by sectors of our media and government.
We dont believe or see ourselves as a Christian nation.

In ‘O Canada’, we use God keep our land. It is assumed that is a generic god.

And…dominion from sea to sea….ask 10 Canadians the origin, 10 probably wouldn’t know.

I know as a broadcaster, any biblical/religious language ie: good samaritan etc., would best be used contextually.
So, I could say… yada yada the Good Samaritan law yada yada, but it would be sensible to frame it; because in a multi-cultural society I can’t assume other people would understand origin.
Even in everyday conversation, I can’t assume that.

This article points out the historical reasons we’ve diverged from our neighbours, without perhaps stating clearly why we continue too.

By: William Holzer

William Holzer — Sun, 30 Mar 2003 02:05:23 +0000

Just to be clear, I assume we are talking about Christians in other countries, because there are many people in the US that worship the “Wall of separation between church and state,” but they aren�t Christians. The point is we are talking about Christians, right? In that case it’s pretty interesting, it seems like Biblical phrases and ideas would seep into political speech, I’m surprised that it doesn�t. I read the Bible enough to where the language and illustrations and allusions are almost second nature. Even non-religious people use Biblical phrases over here, LOL, which I’m sure is the point of not using them in other countries.

By: William Holzer

William Holzer — Sun, 30 Mar 2003 01:58:33 +0000

I am going to put a word in here if I may, don’t accuse me of US imperialism. :-)) There certainly are drawbacks with political figures blandly using religion as a ploy to gain votes, I won’t argue with that at all. But I don’t think that means religion should never be allowed in politics. (I’m assuming all of you are referring to religion in politics, not in general, private citizens like Peter and Paul certainly weren’t quiet about Christianity). If religion and politics were completely divided, we would not have the Psalms (written by a king), or many other books in the Bible. It’s just an observation, take it for what it’s worth…

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Sat, 29 Mar 2003 19:42:38 +0000

Hi Jen et al:

I readily admit there would be geographical diversity and distribution in both countries.

I had never seen the historical context outlined this clearly and it give some perspective.

I understood the Quiet Revolution in Quebec and the on going consequences, and now understand more clearly the difficulites in relating to US buddies in religious discussion.

What I am beginning to also understand is why.
I confess in my travels down the east coast of the US I’ve always been surprised at the blend of religion and culture because it is mostly foreign to me.

In reading god/war bloggers from the US, I am so used to the blend of religious and political language I rarely enter into discussion because I realize it is their only frame of reference, and mine is lost to them. Oddly enough I have found in blogging it is a problem only with some of my American blogging buddies as I stated at the top of the post.

I don’t think I’m unique in that.

Hopefully I can gain a better understanding of where we are coming from so I can be more accepting, respectful and clear with others. Blog on!

By: jen

jen — Sat, 29 Mar 2003 18:31:03 +0000

I can believe this — except that depending on where you went in the US, the results would be different. In the South and Midwest, you find a lot more people who think religion is important while on the West and East coasts, it isn’t as huge (the West Coast being more extreme in that respect). California, I think, would probably have things around 30% while Alabama would have things around 80%.

By: A-Ring

A-Ring — Sat, 29 Mar 2003 08:58:39 +0000

The Liberals’ attack on Stockwell Day for believing in a six-day creation was one of the most public displays of anti-Christian prejudice I’ve seen in a long time. (Don’t get me wrong, there was plenty to criticize Stockwell about, but attacking him for holding orthodox Christian beliefs was going too far.)

By: John

John — Sat, 29 Mar 2003 06:28:03 +0000

Wow, Bene, that’s an eye-opener. I knew it was that way in Europe, but not in Canada or South Pacific. Thanks for a great post, as always.

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 29 Mar 2003 02:02:21 +0000

I think that many of your comments would apply here in Australia. We have several politicians at fairly high levels who are Christians, but it is not something which is a feature of political life as in USA. “Religion” is generally regarded as something private.
Shalom,
Jan