By Jason Menard
The mind is a powerful thing and sometimes it can be a barrier to belief, even when believing is something you want to do very strongly.
There are so many things out there that people want to believe in: a deity, the concept that love conquers all, magic, The Force… It’s a basic human need to believe in something, anything, that’s greater than ourselves. Continue reading
By Jason Menard
When it comes to faith-based education, Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory has the right idea – just the totally wrong way to implement it. To meet the needs of an increasingly multicultural Canada, we have to embrace the thought that less is more.
It’s time to bring religion back to schools – but not in the traditional way. To meet the needs of its students, the public school system should offer a mandatory faith component that exposes children to all the world’s belief systems. We can easily make do with what we have, we don’t need to add more – especially when through addition of schools we’re actually subtracting the exposure our children have to each other’s cultures.
Already we’re facing a funding crunch for our two existing school systems. Both public and Catholic school boards are forced with dealing with changing demographics, dwindling attendance, and outdated buildings. The addition of public funding for more faith-based institutions won’t help either financially or socially.
Tory’s argument is that by validating faith-based education through the auspices of public funding, we’ll be creating an environment where all religions are blessed by the approving scepter of government finance. And while that’s fine for us adults, how exactly does that filter down to the kids?
In essence, this plan would stop kids of different religions from interacting. Children will be placed in their own corners and prevented from mixing with others. And, more importantly, they’ll be prevented from learning.
The way to fix this problem isn’t with more public funding of faith-based education – it’s with less. And that starts with the elimination of the Catholic school board. By consolidating the resources currently duplicated across two school boards, our educational system would be able to better manage resources, combine efforts, and use existing facilities to cope with shifting demographics.
We live in a secular society that’s growing increasingly multicultural. To offer taxpayer-funded services for one religion and not the other isn’t right. However, that doesn’t mean you just eliminate the one religion. Rather, you create a system that embraces the teachings of religion – all religions.
Religion should have a place in schools – and this is coming from someone who doesn’t believe in any one religion. But despite my lack of belief, I fully understand and support the idea of exposing our children to all the world’s religions. Not only will this open their minds to new ideas and experiences, but it will help them understand the people around them.
A public school system with a faith component would have a greater impact on global acceptance of religion than Tory’s validating-by-separating agenda. When students learn why their friends mother wears a hijab, or why their friend can’t mix meat and dairy, that makes it seem less strange. Our religious and societal differences no longer become fodder for mockery, but they become aspects of intrigue and respect.
In addition, students will see that despite the various differences and belief structures found in religion, the underlying message of all is basically the same – and that’s about being good to each other and being the best person we can be. By experiencing a faith class where that message is reinforced by exposure to the world’s religion, our children will be able to grow up in a world where our religious differences don’t matter as much.
Unfortunately, ignorance breeds mistrust and fear. Unless one is exposed to a religion, some of the practices, clothing, and imagery can seem odd. And kids deal with things they don’t understand by shunning them. However, imagine the benefits of having one public school system, where children of all faiths come to learn together and share their personal experiences. Then there would be no need to fear the unknown, because we’d have a better understanding of each other.
Then, just maybe, those kids can teach their parents a thing or two about tolerance.
Of course, there will be those who want their children educated in an environment that’s solely focused on their own belief system – and that’s their right. It’s also their obligation to pay for that privilege. Again, we live in a secular society – our obligation to our children is to teach tolerance, not make equal educational services available to all.
It’s a new world with an ever-changing demographic. The days of the Protestant/Catholic school board split are long gone – today’s Canadian mosaic is richly woven with threads from many different races, cultures, and religions. What better way to foster understanding and respect for each other than by learning about the very things we hold dear – our beliefs and our culture.
Sometimes less is more. We don’t need more publicly funded religious-based schools – we just need to reallocate the resources we have now in a way that makes sense for today’s children.
2007© Menard Communications – Jason Menard All Rights Reserved
By Jason Menard
OK, that’s it. I’m normally a pretty tolerant guy. I figure you’re welcome to believe whatever you want to believe (or not believe) as long as you’re not hurting or bothering anyone. But when a simple well-meant Merry Christmas has the same effect as hurling a racial epithet, then it’s time that we take a stand.
My stand? Get your Christ out of my Christmas!
There. I said it. Let’s celebrate Christmas for what it actually is – a celebration of joy, love, family, and giving at best. And an orgy of materialism, financial mismanagement, and stress at worst.
Personally, I’d rather focus on the former, but nothing turns me into a Scrooge more than some supercilious Christian looking down on me and chastising me for forgetting the true meaning of Christmas!
Apparently my view of truth differs than others. I thought the timing Christmas celebration was incorporated into the Christian religion was more tied into the pre-existing Saturnalia celebrations (a time when Romans would give gifts to their slaves – you know, to make up for a whole year of abuse, labour, and general flogging) than any sort of commemoration of labour pains!
In fact, let’s just deal with the idea that – despite what the song says – Christ was not born on Christmas Day. But don’t take my word for it – let’s hear what some experts have to say on the subject. For example, in the Gospel of Luke, it refers to the blessed event taking place during the Roman census, when Joseph and Mary visited Bethlehem.
“It has the shepherds tending their sheep in the fields at night. That doesn’t sound like December in the Holy Land,” said Father John A. Leies, professor of theology at St. Mary’s University, deep in the heart of Texas. “They wouldn’t be tending sheep in the winter.”
Certainly makes sense to me. But what else? Well, just do a little searching on the Internet – or even better, in books – and you’ll see that there are a wide range of beliefs regarding the actual timing of Christ’s birth ranging from Oct. 1 – the Day of Atonement, to some point in April or May. Most scholars, in fact, dismiss the idea that Christ was born on Christmas Day.
So, what then is the true meaning of Christmas? Because it seems that many are missing the boat both historically and philosophically.
Is it people grumbling under their breath, chastising those of us who enjoy the less-religious aspects of the holiday season? Perhaps my definition of Christian charity is a little wonky, but that certainly doesn’t seem to be the intent behind that concept.
Unfortunately, we’re so afraid to say anything to anyone that this season becomes a veritable vortex of hurt feelings, aspersions cast, and hypersensitivity. In fact, just this week some misguided, but well-intentioned, judge ordered the removal of a Christmas tree from a downtown Toronto courthouse due to the fact that it may offend non-Christians.
Let’s forget, for a moment, that the Yuletide tree itself is an icon conscripted by the Christians from Pagan religions – you know, just to make the heathens feel more at home once they finally convert. The modern idea of a Christmas tree is something that Santa comes to put presents under.
Ideally, let’s get the Christ out of Christmas. Let’s make it a wonderful celebration for each and every one of us! Let’s commemorate the holiday season by celebrating this wonderful confluence of all race, cultures, and creeds that grace this planet. Let’s make it a celebration of peace, joy, and love – one that crosses all ethnic and spiritual barriers.
In no way should the alleged son of some people’s God be the focus – especially not when his good deeds and life are taken in vain by those who allege to follow his lead. It’s hard to follow the tenets of “Love Thy Neighbour” and “Do Unto Others” when you’re looking down on those who don’t share your interpretation of the holidays.
Hey, I’m sure we can all come to a compromise! You get the Christ out of Christmas, and we’ll drop the name from the celebration. Some people already use Xmas, so we can go that route. Or, we can come up with an entirely new name for the celebration! Whatever. I don’t care. All I want is for us to celebrate life – not chastise each other.
So, to paraphrase Clement Clarke Moore: Now Athiests, now Agnostics, now Muslims and Christians; On Jewish, on Buddhists, on Taoists and Diwalians; Happy Xmas to all, and to all a good night!
2006© Menard Communications – Jason Menard All Rights Reserved
By Jason Menard
Far from being a sign of the Apocalypse, the United Church of Canada’s decision to engage in an aggressive, and surprisingly edgy, marketing campaign is just the Church using one of its traditional strengths – business acumen.
In an attempt to make the Church more appealing for the coveted 30-45-year-old demographic, the United Church will be unveiling a series of ads designed to challenge the traditional view of religious entities. By blowing off the dust and appearing to make the Church seem less stuffy, they’re hoping that they can penetrate a market ripe for exploitation.
Statistics Canada figures show that while 80 per cent of Canadians believe in some sort of higher power, only 19 per cent actually set foot into a place of worship. For many Canadians the only time they set foot in a Church is for weddings and funerals. The United Church’s aggressive $10.5-million campaign is hoping to change that.
And while traditionalists may lament the fact that their beloved Church has fallen prey to the evils of commerce, the truth of the matter is that the Church – with a few noted slip-ups along the way — has always been a savvy judge of people and has shown a willingness to tailor the message to make it more palatable for the masses. After all, what’s the point of having something to say when you’re shouting it to empty pews?
One could take a look at the way Christianity was founded as the perfect example of supply meeting demand. Developed around a Roman society built upon classes and slaves, many people were left feeling oppressed and worthless. As slaves, they had no rights of their own and they were forced to watch as a relatively small group of people enjoyed the spoils of riches – earning lavish lifestyles in the here and now.
For the average slave – or even someone in the working classes – hope was a concept that wasn’t even worth discussing. And, lo and behold, here comes a religion that professes that no matter how challenged you are in this world, if you live a good life and give yourself to God, you’ll enjoy riches and happiness beyond your wildest dreams in the afterlife.
What a great message! And it seems almost custom-tailored to the largest audience that was most willing to listen to it. Be a good person, don’t rise up in anger against oppression, ascribe to stoic faith, and the rewards will be plentiful once you shuffle off this mortal coil.
Whether it’s been through the Protestant Reformation or the two Vatican councils, the Church itself – or significant members of its hierarchy – has shown the willingness to listen to the will of the people and adjust its philosophies accordingly. For some faithful, the changes have been too much, moving away from their static view of the Word of God, while for others there hasn’t been enough change. They feel the Church is still stuck with outdated morals and beliefs that don’t mesh with today’s believer.
And that’s where the balancing act comes in for the clergy. How do you make a text written 2,000 years ago relevant for today’s environment? As the world has shrunk and the depth of our knowledge continues to grow, can we adequately say that concepts that held true then still resonate now?
Society has changed. Far more people are willing to admit that their Atheist or Agnostic. Other religions and belief systems from around the world have found their way to Canadian soil, giving people more pause for thought – and more options for their faith. It’s a competitive environment out there – and the prize is society’s souls.
However, old messaging doesn’t cut it any more. Like watching a commercial made in the 1970s today, the style and advertising tactics look out of date. To appeal to today’s media-savvy generations, you have to embrace the voice that speaks most clearly to them. And the United Church has recognized that with its new campaign.
Chances are there are some faithful who will be offended by the image of two grooms on a wedding cake followed by the words, “anyone object?” And for some the question of “how much fun can sex be before it is a sin?” is one that shouldn’t even be asked. But the problem is, if you’re going to keep preaching to the same choir, eventually you’re going to run out of ears. You need new blood, new passion, and new ideas to keep your organization stimulated. In business, you need to change with the times. You adhere to your key values and core principles, but you bend where needed to meet today’s needs.
For the most part, people aren’t willing to blindly follow any one religion any more. They want to have the opportunity to question their beliefs, to discuss the challenging topics, and to make their decisions with the support of a higher power – not just in blind adherence to a 2,000-year-old edict mired in metaphor and imagery.
The United Church gets that. And this new advertising campaign shows that the Church is more than just a place for spiritual enlightenment – it’s got a pretty savvy business sense to go with it.
2006© Menard Communications – Jason Menard All Rights Reserved
By Jason Menard
The Sunday Shopping debate in Nova Scotia is so 15 years ago – well, at least that’s the case for those of us in Ontario. Unfortunately, after all this time, it still appears that people are unwilling to buy into the concept of freedom of choice.
Don’t let anybody fool you – the Sunday Shopping debate has nothing to do with promoting the family or mandating a day of rest for harried workers. It’s all about religion. Plain and simple.
More specifically, it’s about one particular religion, Christianity, attempting to assert control over something that it should truly have no control over. After all, we’re only discussing the evils of shopping on the Christian Sabbath, not the Jewish Shabbat now, aren’t we?
Allegedly Canada is a secular society – not that the Church would mind if that wasn’t the case. And if we are secular by nature, then religious holidays and observances have no place in the defining of how and when we live our lives or buy milk.
But beyond what side of the debate you are on in terms of religion, the fact that there is even a debate at all obscures the fact that this is just another example of religion refusing to allow people to exercise the ability to choose to lead the life they want. Instead the Church is attempting to squeeze its fist tighter around a rapidly dispersing flock – and the problem with that mentality is that the more one squeezes, the more likely people will slip through the fingers.
The Church, in its zeal to mandate that everyone – regardless of whether or not they’re Christian – follows its rules are happily advocating restricting people’s rights to personal choice. And, in fighting so hard against a world that it can’t abide, the Church is missing the most effective tactic in the fight against perceived evil.
Personal choice.
The very thing they’re trying to restrict is the one thing that could be its salvation. But by fighting so hard against the concept, not only is the Church fighting a battle it can’t win – it’s running the risk of alienating not just those who are spiritually curious, but also those already within the congregations of Canada.
Religious or not, we all have the ability to chose. And, when it comes to deciding what’s good and bad for the masses, none of us are ever going to be right. However, when it comes to choosing what’s good and bad for ourselves… well, then there’s no better authority than Numero Uno!
Find a TV show offensive? Turn it off. Believe that pornography is evil? Don’t rent it and stay out of the sex shops. You find that classic literature is crossing the line of decency? Put down the match and leave the book on the shelf.
Simply put, there is no better filter in the world than personal choice. Nobody is forcing anyone else to do anything they don’t want. There is no Atheist Army rousing you out of your sleep to drag you to Wal-Mart. Nor is there anyone forcing you to keep your eyes glued to Fear Factor over a bowl of Spaghetti-Os.
We can make our own choices. If you think that your God doesn’t want you to go shopping on Sundays, then by all means stay at home, go to Church, or do anything else. But, as you’re enjoying the freedom to choose how you live your life, ensure that you allow others to engage in that same freedom.
For many people, Sunday shopping is a necessity considering the hectic lives many of us lead. With school, work, family time in the evenings, activities, and the like, often Sunday is the best day to go shopping. And for others, working on Sunday is a blessing – no pun intended. Those on fixed incomes, students, and other casual labourers all benefit from the fact that the wheels of commerce continue to spin on Sundays.
As well, there’s really no one-size-fits-all approach to life, now, is there? Not everyone works 9-5 between Monday and Friday. There are people that work shifts, those with schedule challenges, those with a myriad host of other reasons as to why a “traditional” lifestyle does not apply.
Should these people, for whom a day of rest on Sunday doesn’t work, be subjected to one based upon one group’s religious beliefs?
The Nova Scotia Sunday Shopping debate just proves again that nobody should be forced to do anything – anything except being forced to respect each other’s right to live the life we want, free of harassment, judgment, and scorn.
2006© Menard Communications – Jason Menard All Rights Reserved
The M-Dash by Jason Menard 