A rchive Date
[ 04-12-2003 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Canada ]
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[http://www.canoe.ca/Columnists/platt.html
Silence isn't golden
By MICHAEL PLATT - Calgary Sun
December 4, 2003
It's actually painful to say, but the Westboro Baptist Church should be welcome in Canada. Yuck, spit and puke -- but there it is.
To clarify, Westboro Baptist is the Kansas-based church dedicated to the hatred of homosexuals, where members are encouraged to picket gay funerals and spread anti-gay gospel, most infamously through the godhatesfags.com website.
Led by the Rev. Fred Phelps -- a cruel, craven little man who uses the Bible as an excuse to preach hatred -- members of Westboro have entered Canada in the past to burn flags and rally against "hellbound" homosexuals.
But no more.
In their most recent press release -- a piece of paper usually garbage-bound within moments of arrival -- the Westboro weenies admit they're now too scared to enter Canada.
"WBC to picket Sodomite Peoples Republic of Canada at Detroit border ... to thwart arrests by FagiNazi Canadians!" reads the release. It continues: "Canada lets fags and dykes marry. Bad enough. Here's worse: It's a crime to warn them they're headed for Hell. To preach to Canadians now, stay safely on America's First Amendment soil."
If you're like me, the first thing you'll think is, good.
Good, because Phelps, a man more sodomy-obsessed than a drunk Roman emperor, shouldn't be allowed to spout his evil message in this country.
Good, because Bill C-250, an amendment to Canada's hate law currently before the Senate, prevents anyone from promoting hatred against homosexuals. Good ... or is it?
The more I think about it, I can't help but think Canada is on a very slippery slope, one that can only end in silence.
And silence isn't exactly oil to the delicate gears of democracy. More like a wrench, in fact.
For the record, I support gay rights. I believe the law should ensure homosexuals have the same rights as anyone else, to work, live and play however they want, without prejudice.
But I also believe those who don't agree with homosexuality (or anything else) should be able to say so without penalty -- and that's not happening, even before Bill C-250 passes.
In the last week or so, the pitchfork and flaming torch mob have been busy, after two elected officials dared share, honestly and openly, their views on homosexuality.
Saskatchewan MP Larry Spencer was fired from the Alliance caucus for suggesting homosexuality be outlawed, and Liberal MP David Kilgour took flack after he suggested gay marriage may open the door to legal polygamy or incest, something many Canadians quietly fear.
That Spencer, a 61-year-old former Baptist preacher, might have thoughts on homosexuality that aren't exactly Yonge Street hip shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.
The point is, many others think exactly as Spencer does, and isn't it better that such ideas are out in the open? Forcing someone to shut up doesn't change what they think, but driving people underground allows hatred and misunderstandings to fester.
In fact, the reason Spencer and his ilk are now headed the way of the Dodo is because homosexuality has become an open and loudly debated issue, something that took years of gradual creeping out of the proverbial closet. Making people afraid to speak their minds isn't going to change what's on them.
Passing laws that prevent Canadians from criticizing each other is a giant step backwards.
Public debate, even when it involves a mental pervert like Rev. Phelps, helps educate and enlighten Canadians, who generally have the intelligence to learn and reason. And for those who say hateful things about others, at least the rest of the country knows who we're dealing with, and voting for.
Canada has to remain a country where people are allowed to speak openly, and criticize freely -- and that includes welcoming vile visitors such as the Westboro Baptist Church, without threatening them with jail just for speaking their minds.
Silence will only send Canada straight back into the closet, where monsters like Phelps can quietly lurk.
Letters to the editor should be sent to callet@calgarysun.com
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