Happy Canada Day!

Note: I will begin my Canada Day celebrations by leading worship at an area United Church. Following is the message I will deliver as part of that worship service. I believe it is fitting to share this as my Canada Day editorial.

Today IS Canada Day! 

Some might ask if it is appropriate for a church to celebrate a “national holiday.” After all, isn’t there supposed to be a “separation of church and state?”

Frankly, no. For the most part, as many people understand it, that is a fallacy.

 The “separation of church and state” is one of the most mis-quoted and mis-understood tenets of American political culture.

 First of all, it only applies to the United States. It was proposed by Thomas Jefferson as the first Continental Congress was drafting what would become the Constitution of the United States of America… and its subsequent amendments.

 Jefferson recognized that the United States was, and would continue to be, a beacon to the world, drawing immigrants from many countries; people of diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. It would be a “melting pot” where people would still honour their roots, but would adopt a new, more unified culture.

 E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one.

 At that time the USA was comprised of British, Dutch, Spanish and French colonies, all of which would be brought together under one umbrella government, forging a new identity as that vast frontier was explored and settled.

 To that end, Jefferson proposed that there would be no official state religion, as was the case in the countries of their ancestors.

 Instead, people would be free to practice whatever religion they chose, without interference by the government, and with the government giving no preference to any one religion.

 Jefferson never intended that people use this idea as a means of keeping religion and government completely separate. The preamble to the Constitution refers to “God.”

We the people, desiring a more complete union… with one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

 Today, here in Canada, people quote that one phrase – “separation of church and state” – chanting it almost as a mantra, determined that the church should have no influence over public (read that, Government) policy.

 Senator Nicole Eaton – by marriage a member of the family of Timothy Eaton, namesake of arguably the most prominent United Church in Toronto – recently spoke out against churches, and especially the United Church, becoming involved in public policy.

 Senator Eaton believes churches should concern themselves with doing good works, but should leave matters of government policy to the government.

 United Church of Canada Moderator Mardi Tindal offered a wonderfully polite and thorough rebuttal, explaining why Senator Eaton’s suggestion was not only incorrect but irrational.

 Churches, including the United Church, have long been contributors and participants in developing public policy. As often as not governments have sought the opinion of church leaders, especially when developing policies concerning social justice.

 Egerton Ryerson was too young to follow his father and three older brothers into the War of 1812, so he concentrated on his studies. His was a deeply religious training, and at age 18 he became an itinerant Methodist preacher, and an important figure in the promotion of religious freedoms in the nineteenth century, a time when religion and politics were inextricably entwined.

Ryerson would play an influential role in the fields of politics, religion, education and the arts and sciences; establishing the education system as we know it today, founding a university, museums, and other public and private institutions, some of which still bear his name. (Read more about Ryerson.)

 Tommy Douglas, a Baptist preacher, founded a political party to address such concerns; a party that to this day not only champions the cause of social justice, but sits as the Official Opposition.

The late Jack Layton, a prominent and proud member of the United Church, was that party’s leader for eight years.

 Of course, I don’t give Senator Eaton’s comments much weight. Earlier this year Senator Eaton proposed removing the Beaver as one of Canada’s official symbols… because a colony of beavers kept destroying the wooden dock at their multi-million-dollar summer “cottage.”

 I do get concerned, however, that people do call for a separation of church and state, in the sense that they wish churches would simply keep to themselves and not try to interfere in the daily lives of others.

 I am concerned because these people fail to realize that, despite their assertions that “we no longer need churches to define morality for us,” our society is decidedly lacking in moral guidance.

 This is not to say that a stronger church presence would eliminate all immorality, but I cannot help but believe that a stronger church presence would have, at the very least, a moderating effect on the immorality that surrounds us.

 Without a moral compass, we are free to pursue any self-indulgent pleasure that intrigues us. There is far too much evidence in the media – the tv shows and movies, the music and videos, the magazines and websites – that people put themselves and their own needs, or rather, their wants and desires, ahead of others.

 Churches lead by example – or at least, they should. There certainly are exceptions.

 Churches look after their own, naturally, but also extend their reach beyond the brick and mortar of their congregational homes.

 They reach into the community, to help those in need.

 They reach beyond their own communities to help others, recognizing they are part of a larger community.

 They reach around the world, recognizing that we are part of an even larger community: a global village.

 Likewise, although there are disagreements over the amount and distribution of aid world-wide, Canada recognizes that it need to look after its own and to help others around the world who are less fortunate than we are.

 There are those who say “charity begins at home,” and they are correct. That does not mean, however, that it stays at home.

 On Canada Day, as on the other 364 days each year, I am proud to call myself a Canadian. I am proud, and blessed, to live in this great country where we enjoy  freedom: freedom to come and go as we please; freedom to worship as we please; freedom to speak out against injustice, and even against the government.

 Are there problems? Yes. Ours isn’t a perfect country. For that matter, there is no perfect country.

 But I would rather live with the few problems and disagreements we have here in Canada than line up under the hot African sun for a bowl of rice, or be shot at by the military for speaking out against the government.

 No, I am proud to be a Canadian. We have it pretty darn good here.

 I am proud that my country both allows its citizens to follow whatever religion they choose, and to refrain from following any religion.

 I am proud that my country has taken the lead in Peace-keeping missions around the world, helping to bring stability to war-ravaged regions.

 I am proud that my country has contributed humanitarian aid to disaster-stricken regions.

 I am proud that my country has issued an apology to the First Nations people for its role in the Residential Schools fiasco.

 Jesus told his disciples to go forth, spread the word, and bring healing to others.

 It seems to me that, both as Canadians and as Christians, that is what we do.

But... that's just my opinion.

 Happy Canada Day!