Wear a Visible Cross, Lose Your Job…

(In the News- Toronto Sun)

MONTREAL — Deep divisions emerged Tuesday as Quebec introduced a bill that would bar "conspicuous" religious symbols among civil servants.  The Parti Quebecois said its bill would entrench "religious neutrality" in the provincial charter of rights.

Islamic headscarves, crucifixes, Sikh turbans and Jewish skullcaps would be banned if they are "plainly visible." "Smaller" religious symbols would be permitted.  No one would be allowed to offer government services with their faces covered, a reference to the Islamic burka and niqab.  Quebec would also end its practice of allowing employees to take paid leave for religious reasons.

 

"It's a very good day for Quebec," Bernard Drainville, the minister in charge of the file, told a news conference.  "It's time to rally around clear rules and shared values" "that will put an end to the tensions and misunderstandings."  Polls indicate a majority of French Quebecers support restrictions on religious symbols while English and minority groups are largely against the measures.  The proposed law would apply to all government departments as well as daycares, schools, hospitals and police forces.

 

       While I don’t feel that some head/ face coverings are appropriate for some jobs or sports, I think going against Canada’s right of religious freedom in this country would set a BAD precedent.  We should be free to have a Budda, a cross, a star of David, an all seeing eye, or a ying yang around our necks, visible, if we want to.  If Quebec is allowed to pass this law, which of our freedoms will go next?

 

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn. Pr. 29:2

And Peter and the apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Ac. 5:29

 

         Look at some of those who opposed unjust laws in our recent past, and whom we admire, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela. There are many instances of believers in Jehovah standing up for their convictions against current laws.  Here are some:

 

       -Midwives save babies instead of killing them. Ex. 1:15-17
       -Moses harassed Pharaoh to let the people go. Ex. 5- 13
       -Rahab protecting spies. Js. 2:3-15                 
       -Saul’s servants refuse to kill priest. 1Sm. 22:16,17
       -Three men refusing to bow to an idol. Dn. 3
       -Daniel praying visibly as usual. Dn. 6:10-16
       -Too many prophets to list spoke out against sin in government.
       -John the Baptist criticized the king’s moral character. Mr. 6:17,18
       -Paul, Peter and other believers refused to stop preaching the gospel.

 

       I’m not espousing we rise up for every occasion, but we are to stand for God, righteousness and justice.  We should submit when laws are just.  We should pray for our government continually.  But there are times we need to stand against what is wrong.  Each person in position that could lose their job should decide for themselves, but everyone else should definitely stand against this law and any law that takes away our rights.

 

Lord, You say to believers many times “do not fear” - “be of good courage”.  Give us Your strength to stand against corruption, unrighteousness and injustice in these, the last days.