My Government and the Lord's Prayer

I can't believe that once again, our Ontario Government is working on getting rid of the Lord's Prayer in parliment. The Lords prayer has been said to start every Parliment meeting since 1969, but because Ontario has such a diverse population, our Premier feels it is time to get rid of the Lord's prayer and replace it with something else.

In our public school system, they no longer say the Lord's prayer, nor are they able to do the Christmas Story as part of the Christmas season. When does it stop - when do we get to hold on to what should be - Christ in our lives.

Just my rant after a long night shift. I've attached the article I found regarding this.

Blessed be, Lisa


Ont. mulls alternatives to prayer in legislature
Updated Wed. Feb. 13 2008 9:34 PM ET

toronto.ctv.ca

Premier Dalton McGuinty says it's time Ontario changed the Lord's Prayer at the legislature to better reflect the province's multicultural population.

"More than one-half of people living in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), for example, were born outside the country, and one-third of (residents in) the province were born outside the country," McGuinty told reporters on Wednesday.

"I think it's time for us to assure that we have a prayer that better reflects our diversity."

The premier wants an all-party committee to work with the speaker's office to look for alternatives to the Christian prayer, which has opened daily proceedings at the legislature since 1969.

The committee will be seeking advice from citizens and faith communities, but it is expected the Lord's Prayer will be replaced.

"I think we're the second-last province in Canada which has not changed its basic prayer that was adopted over a hundred years ago," said McGuinty, who denied the move is an attempt to counter some of the negative feelings stirred up by the debate over funding faith-based schools in last fall's election.

Quebec's National Assembly has only a daily moment of reflection, while Newfoundland and Labrador has no prayer in the House of Assembly. Alberta uses a set list of non-denominational prayers that are rotated, and British Columbia also rotates the prayers but allows individual members to select the daily reading.

A House of Commons committee agreed on the wording for a new, non-sectarian prayer in 1994, which was adopted in 2004.

Ontario's opposition parties were informed of the plan with a letter from the premier.

"We have to make sure we recognize the modern day reality of Ontario as it is in 2008, but also make sure that we recognize the traditions and history of this place because I think that's important," Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory told reporters.

Tory also criticized McGuinty for stirring up religious unrest when he used the PC party's proposal to fund faith-based schools.

"I think Mr. McGuinty has a lot to answer for, frankly, in terms of what he did to actually inflame discussions that took on an unfortunate tone during the election campaign," said Tory.

NDP house leader Peter Kormos said McGuinty is treading a dangerous line in his efforts to appear open to different faith communities.

Kormos said the premier "better be careful, because there are going to be folks from the humanist perspective who are going to argue that if you open that box, then let's not have any prayer at all.''

.50 cal and 1000 rounds...that'll fix it...lol

not being a discrimating canadian/ immigrant myself, but i don't believe that people that immigrate here to canada, to our way of life, should be able to impact or change our life styles.

One thing i do not agree with you, is allowing Indian RCMP officers to wear their head gear (turbins) while they are on duty. I think it really changes the traditional respected rcmp...and i don't believe they had the right to fight for something like that.

as for prayers, i also don't agree...just because we are diverse, we should still hold our traditions and customs, just like those people that immigrate here...back home they aren't changing their lifestyles...are they?

You are very right Vash. I don't see any other countries changing their way for Canadians / Americans who immigrate to their countries. We have to conform to their standards of living and their ways. But when people immigrate to Canada / US - we start loosing things that have been around for ever - the Lord's Prayer, The Christmas Story to just name a few. Even at Christmas time we have to watch what we say as to not offend.... I'm ranting - enough of me on my soap box.

Oh and the other thing - I totally agree with you about our RCMP - Indian Head Dress is not part of the uniform and should not be an acceptable part of the uniform. It totally changes what the RCMP look like and make them un-uniformed. (if that is even a word).

Blessed be,

Lisa