You Say Pro Life, I Say Religious Freedom

I just read about the pro-life rally in Ottawa today in the Toronto Star. Said to be one of the biggest pro-life rallies ever in Canada. The whole abortion debate is getting tired and redundant in this country. Only the religious right cling to the notion that women should not have total control of their bodies. But before I go any further it is important for me to put some of my beliefs on the record. I was raised Catholic although no longer practicing. I believe in a women’s right to choose whether she wants to terminate a pregnancy or not. I believe in religious freedom. On second thought I “strongly” believe in religious freedom. To me this is the crux of the abortion debate.

In Canada, I like to believe we practice religious tolerance. This is critical in this day and age because our country is becoming more and more religiously diverse each passing day. Moreover, the number of people moving to a secular lifestyle is on the rise. So why is it that a minority made up of some Roman Catholics and the Christian right can dictate what our position “must be” when it comes to a women’s right to chose?

The precepts of religious freedom are that you go to your church and I will go to mine. I will not force my religious values on you and I appreciate that you do not force your religious values on me. Most importantly, I respect your right to worship a different god and please respect my right to worship mine. It’s simple; in my Canada when comes to religion there is no good and no bad and there is no right or no wrong. There are just different beliefs.

So if your faith dictates you must be pro-life, I not only support your belief but I support that abortion should not be imposed upon you. Similarly, if my faith allows the right to chose, I thank you to not impose your position on me or others like me. That is how it has to be in a socially progressive and tolerant country.

Finally, the parliament of Canada must speak for all Canadians, regardless of who they are and/or what they believe. There must be a separation of church and state if we truly believe in religious freedom as stated in our Charter of Right and Freedoms. Consequently there is only one position Canada’s parliament can take when it comes to the abortion question and that is to give every individual the right to chose.

ISE