June 28, 2005

Hon Bill Blaikie (Elmwood-Transcona, NDP): In a time when religion is characterized in the media as a conservative force, there is a need to diversify the face of religion in the political realm, and to emphasize that there are faith informed progressive perspectives on issues which too often are dealt with as if there is only a debate between faith and non-faith. In fact what is often happening is a debate between Canadians of the same faith and/or a debate between conservative faith communities and a secular liberalism that owes its values in large part to our common religious heritage.

People of the same faith arrive at different conclusions about difficult issues and consequently join or support different political parties. This is as it should be.

Religious arguments should not be restricted to a few issues, or even worse, seen as inadmissible in debate. Questions of peace and war, the economy, and the environment are also issues to be informed by faith. The task is to discern the appropriate ways of such speaking in a pluralistic world. Dismissing views purely because they are religious throws out the wheat with the chaff. Secular fundamentalism is not the answer either.