Earlier this month, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on a controversial program by the Royal Bank of Canada, encouraging employees to designate their work areas as "safe spaces" for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered workers. While the program was voluntary, the newsletter implied that those not willing to participate would be seen as intolerant (for more information, click here). This week we received notice that the program has been cancelled. The bank was facing considerable pressure including the threat of a boycott. In a phone interview with the Western Catholic Reporter, RBC senior vice-president, David Moorcroft said, "The intention was noble and positive but some aspects gave it an unintended result."
Continue to pray for Canada, as the issue of homosexuality continues to dominate in many areas of public policy. VOM's online catalog features a book entitled "The Bible and Homosexual Practice." We believe that this is the most thorough study on the biblical teaching on the issue available today. For more information, or to order the book, click here.
VOMC's primary mission is to respond to the needs of Christians in countries where persecution is prevalent. However, we also remain alert to potential threats to our religious freedoms here in Canada – including those that hinder the proclamation of the Gospel. One of the more recent concerns relates to proposed amendments to Bill C-9, which is currently under review by members of the Canadian Parliament.
The Supreme Court of Canada has announced that they will be releasing their decision regarding Trinity Western University's School of Law on Friday, June 15th. The ruling could have wide-ranging implications on the protection of religious freedoms in Canada.
The first few weeks of the Solitary Refinement touring stage play has already had audiences in various parts of the nation captivated. On numerous occasions, those who have been blessed to witness this life-transforming production have responded with standing ovations -- to the glory of God!
"It should be front page news across Canada," states Sun Media's Ezra Levant in an email news alert. Due to the results of a referendum among the province's lawyers, the British Columbia Law Society voted recently to reverse an earlier decision to accredit Trinity Western University (TWU) law school graduates. As a result, graduates of TWU's law school will not be able to practise law in British Columbia (BC).
The legal profession rejected accreditation for TWU's graduates based on a personal pledge of conduct the university's students are required to sign. The pledge, which includes a promise to abstain from sex outside of traditional marriage, raises a same-sex equality rights issue for the BC Law Society, but pits it against religious freedom in Canada.