Stephen Harper and religion

There's been a lot of talk this week about the influence of the Christian right on Stephen Harper's government. Primarily, this is the result of Marci McDonald's newly released book, The Armageddon Factor. Exquisitely timed, as Antonia Zerbisias pointed out in the Star this week, this comes on the heels of Harper's decision to ban support for abortion in overseas aids projects and at the same time as the National Prayer Breakfast and the huge March for Life Rally on Parliament Hill. 

Paul Wells, in Macleans, has weighed in with some skepticism about McDonald's arguments, saying more or less that she's overstating the whole thing. 

Here's what I know. Back before he became prime minister, Harper and I used to talk quite  a bit. No surprise. We're contemporaries on the Hill; the same age and (believe it or not) we were of similar views on things like Meech Lake, democratic reform  and political cynicism in general. He helped me a lot with my book on the Charlottetown accord and gave me a lot of good advice/insights through the years. I think he's changed, but that's a topic for another day.  

In all my conversations with Harper, the subject of religion never came up. Except once. I asked him why he was inserting the God-bless stuff into his speeches when he became the leader of the Canadian Alliance. He said, cryptically: "You'd understand if you had children." Fair enough. We left it at that. 

The only other insight I had into Harper and his religion was shortly after he won the 2006 election and a then-new book, the Pilgrimage of Stephen Harper, by Lloyd Mackey, implied that Harper and his wife, Laureen, were deeply religious.  She was keen to correct that record and got in touch with me to help do that among the media. She wanted folks to know that Harper was only an occasional church-goer (maybe a half-dozen times a year?) and that she and her alleged Christian-temperance family celebrated the election win with cases of beer. I duly passed the word around. 

Does this mean that all this talk of Christian influence is wrong-headed? As mentioned above, I don't claim to have any special understanding of  the Harper I see as prime minister and have a hard time connecting the dots from the guy I used to know with the one I see in power. That's not unusual, though. Many folks change when they come to office; some for the worse, some for the better. 

What is clear is that he now sees no downside in giving some air time to the Christian right among his supporters. As I noted in the story of the pro-life rally this week, no one is telling these folks to shut the f--- up. They're not being punished, as Diane Ablonczy was last year, for being overly visible with controversial folks.  Is that a tactical or theological development? I'd lean toward this being a political calculation by Harper and his advisers; political calculating being the the closest thing I've seen to a religious crusade  in this regime. McDonald, as far as I've seen in interviews, seems to be making the same point: whether or not Stephen Harper agrees with the organized Christian right, he's sending some important signals to them in recent weeks. They seem to be happy about that, and so they should be. 

Comments

[ck]

I have yet to read the book, but have read her old article in The Walrus. It confirmed everything I already know.

Let's put it this way, when right winged bloggers, pundits and the folks at the right winged media such as the National Post are scrambling about, trying to tell the Timmy Horton's crowd to not read McDonald's book, she's a left looney fear mongering to the masses and/or the book is a work of fiction, and other such panicky articles, or getting bombastic on Talk Radio, I have to believe that Marci McDonald is definitely on to something.

Of course, one would have to be living in a cave in the woods somewhere without submerging to not notice with cuts to groups like Match who have helped women for so many decades but they will send a whopping 495,600 for bible translators, not to mention subsidies for religious schools and millions for Youth for Christ.

[Inge]

I disagree with Wells that MacDonald is overstating the whole thing. I also don't think Harper's catering to the religious right has anything to do with his religious beliefs. As with virtually everything he does, it is a strategy to gain and maintain power. He is quite blatantly using these folks for his own purposes. He really does not appear to have any ethical or moral underpinnings. As MacDonald points out, it is critically important that Canadians be aware of what is going on.

[wilson]

Like Paul Wells blogged,
when the House was voting on the Liberal motion to fund 3rd world abortions,
Liberal MPs voting 'no' were indistinquishable from Conservative MPs.
Without the votes from Lib MPs, the Liberal motion would have passed.
It wasn't a math error on their leaders part,
it was Lib MPs taking a stand against abortion.....which was a majority vote, in a minority Cons govt.

[GGower]

This is all the left wing taking Graves advise to use the politics of division, which won't work. We Canadians aren't interested in their faux causes, and see them for the desperate bunch of loonies that they are.

[Andrew]

I can't say if Stephen Harper is a Christian or not, but it is very obvious that he is a smart politician.

[Lisa]

There are many Christians who are devout that DO NOT practice organized religion. It is insulting to say that one is or is not Christian simply because they do/do not go to "church". Bottom line, bible thumping does not make you a better Christian nor does going to a church every Sunday. I would rather break bread with a person who practices their faith in the privacy of their own home then the church going person who goes home after mass and molests his/her child.

There are much more important matters to deal with in our government.

[Scott]

http://www.fossil-museum.com/fossils/

For those who don't know what Creationists believe.
---
We believe We and those plants an animals of today and yesteryear came fully assembled.
---
Turns out there are countless examples of hard facts to support that there hasn't been changes over time,
in the above web site you will see how fish of today are the same fish of multi millions of years ago as are bugs and plants and bears and dogs.
---
Its Hard science, excuse the pun. No changes, and all the bells and blinkers working on what is here, and what was in the past.

[Bobb999]

Harper's obviously pandering to the evangelical crowd on 3rd world abortion access, and also on his position Israel can do no wrong, even when it drops cluster bombs & white phosphorus on civilians. This panders to both the hawkish Jewish vote & to evangelicals who support a dominant Israel to fulfill Bible "prophecy", preparing the way fro Armageddon & the Rapture.

If he's pandering to evangelicals out of political calculation instead of from actually sharing their views, that just makes him less admirable, & more despicable.

Thousands of 3rd world women die each year in childbirth or from "coat hanger" abortions. Harper's discouraging poor women's access to medical abortion means he's helping maintain an indefensible situation where poor women die in large numbers. He is obstructing aid groups who would help provide safe abortions. Apparently, in Harper's view, needless, preventable deaths of countless women is an acceptable price to pay so long as it helps Harper retain votes with his fundamentalist fans. What a "sweetheart" Steve is.
This man will have more blood on his hands than Clifford Olsen.
Is such a cynical, destructive man an acceptable leader for Canada? I say NO!

[Karen Krisfalusi]

Have another glass of water.
http://bit.ly/c6bNMk

[Rod Croskery]

I'm ploughing through McDonald's book now, and I find it a very well-written history of the rise of the theocratic movement in Canadian politics. Stockwell Day appears to be at the centre of this in the early going in the book, with Harper an intellectual on the fringe of the movement.

So far I find the book credible and balanced.

[Wascally Wabbit]

I see this topic has brought out a few familiar sock puppets Susan - aimed at using your blog as a bully pulpit - to quote Tim the Tool Man Taylor - morning wilson!
Reading your thoughts twice to be sure, I get the impression that you feel Harper's "religious revival" has no down side. I read Angelo Persichilli's piece in the editorial section this morning (I generally find him to be right-leaning) where he is speculating on Michael Ignatieff's future if the Liberlas plunge lower than 25%.
Putting the two together - I think Mr. Ignatieff's head is safe precisely because of Mr. Harper being too cute by half.
I suspect the Canadian public will be feeling a little Howard Beale-ish over the next short while at Mr. Harper's games - Mad as Hell and not going to take it any more...

[gar]

This author is the Kitty Kelly type of writer.she deals in half truths,exaggerates points she knows will stir the fundamental Christians or the left wing who believe in what ever has a hand out attached.Harper is an ordinary guy ,not too exciting who the left have been trying to brand as Canada's George Bush.The trouble is they have put forward leaders like Dion and Iffy who have so many more personal flaws that they have been the brunt of a National dislike for both them and their party.In their hurry to try and get government back they did the most undemocratic thing broke their own rules in who should lead the party with no vote by party membersThey thought the Whiz Kid could turn on the public.They forgot one thing he did not make Chretien.Chretien made him because he had a personal charm that attracted all regardless of party affiliation and seemed to be trustworthy.The party is totally in disarray and can only hope that Harper does not decide to pull the plug.For those who think Harper lost on the detainee issue this is a total winner.He has met the speakers demands but this can go on for years and into another election.The opposition know this and know how little the Canadian voter cares about a Taliban detainee and their butts were saved by the Speaker.Harper may not be Mr Personality but we who are old enough to remember how Canada threw away no charisma Robert Stanfield for our own Camelot, a cape wearing socialist who brought us a Charter of Rights that allows killers serving life in prison to cancel my vote with theirs in a Federal election like a little ordinary in our leaders

[Betty Morgan]

I'm just a little right of Attila the Hun so I am told by my aging hippie kids but I am not in favour of my tax dollars going to fund African abortions. I donate what I can to the grandmothers who are caring for their HIV infected orphan grandchildren and helping women get on their feet financially, but if people want abortions, they should just find a good doctor who will do it safely and pay for it themselves. Like people had to do before Tommy Douglas and the Pill.

Why not pay for The Pill and teach women how to use it safely. Why not get the wealthy pharaceutical companies to provide enough pills so that there can be a generation of children who do not have AIDS. There are plenty of systems available to prevent conception. Education. Education. Education. Mr. Harper has nothing to do with African pregnancies.

[Lloyd Macilquham]

It is coming to light that Harper is basing his policies on his personal religious beliefs, thus blurring the separation of Church and State, transforming Canada into a non-secular, religious state despite that at least 2/3rds of all Canadians are being marginalized. The separation of state and Church is vital to our way of life. We are not Iran. Canada's political system is not a facade of Democratic process with the Executive being made up of religious extremists who wield the real power and make policy.

Government policy based on religious beliefs caters to a minority and marginalizes a majority in a diverse society, by the very meaning of 'diverse society' it must. It results in policies that are emotionally based, divest of rationality with no consideration for what it best for all Canadians, except what a small minority of the self-righteous thinks is best for everyone else. It also inflicts beliefs that are extreme, harsh and even cruel, intolerant and not representative of a vast number of Canadians. In actuality it can represent an infringement of religious freedom that is not justifiable in a free and democratic society.

The Harper tough on Crime is a prime example. As it turns out they have nothing to support their position to say that it is in the best interest of all Canadians. In fact, all the evidence points to the exact opposite. This is illustrated by the Report just released (Sep.'09) by Graham Stewart, Prof Michael Jackson, et al.

The response by the Con’s, “The professor has a different philosophy than us,” then Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan (to CBC). You got that Right Van Loan.

It took hundreds of years to separate the Church from government and we must vigilant not to allow it to insinuate itself again. I haven't had a chance to read Marci McDonald's book (how much does it cost, anyway) nor her article at walrusmagazine.com,
The rising clout of Canada’s religious right, Marci McDonald, Oct.'06
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/2006.10-politics-religion-stephen-harper-and-the-theocons/

but I salute any who stand up to defend our freedoms and cherished way of life.

The Canada our forefathers built with their blood, sweat and tears is a tolerant, moderate, multi-faceted nation (of course, that's what separation of State and Church is all about). We should all demand the Canada of our forefathers back.

During the Second World War Many many tens of thousands of Canadians died and endured severe hardship for many years of their lives fighting tyranny and for a free society where everyone could express their feeling and opinions and seek a full and satisfying life. These men and women were the ones that brought in and established The Charter of Rights and Freedoms as a pinnacle of their efforts and provide the means for future generations to ensure these freedoms and defend ourselves against tyranny.

I want my Canada back - separate Harper and the State.

Lloyd MacILquham cicblog

[Andrew]

Any comment on McDonald claiming in the pages of the Star that the Canadian Constitution Foundation is a "Christian advocacy group"?
http://ezralevant.com/2010/05/does-joseph-benami-wear-a-yarm.html

[Andrew]

Seeing as linking to Ezra Levant doesn't seem to be allowed, how about my suggesting the Star run a front-page editorial asking pro-lifers and Bible thumpers to cancel their subscriptions? I'm sure Lloyd would go along with that.

BTW, Lloyd, the American concept of separation of Church and State only started in the post-1840s when there were enough Roman Catholic immigrants who began asking for school funding that it began upsetting Protestant taxpayers and anti-immigration Know-Nothings. It has nothing to do with the Anti-Establishment Clause or defending democracy.

[Rod Croskery]

Back again, halfway through the book. Preston Manning is the interesting one. After getting dumped from the leadership of the Reform party he reinvented himself as the father of the Conservative movement, training the others in incremental change, for the most part unnoticed by Canadians and political opponents. Manning's inspiration seems to come from the movie Amazing Grace, where the hero did in the British slave trade through indirection and outright deceit.

The other interesting figure is Faytene Kryskow, the cheerleader of the religious right, though she'd prefer to see herself as Joan of Arc. What's scary about Kryskow is not so much her visions or her flexible concepts of veracity, but rather the unfettered access she and her gang have to Parliament Hill and Stockwell Day. Her motto of "kicking major devil butt" says a lot.

Remember when comedian Rick Mercer played the trick on Stockwell Day, getting Facebook kids to ask him to change his name to "Doris?" Our Faytene did one better, swamping a CBC 140th anniversary poll -- which asked for teen's fondest wish -- with 9500 votes for the abolition of abortion.

McDonald has written a pretty good book, not much at all like the one portrayed in online columns. In a day or so I'll have a review up on http://rodcroskery.wordpress.com

[Agape]

The Holy Grail?
http://www.causeofgood.org/Gold/index.html

[Immanuel]

"Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack." Genesis 44:12 http://www.causeofgood.org/Gold/index.html

[St. Paschal]

"The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him." Genesis 40:23 http://www.causeofgood.org/Gold/index.html

[Frank Docherty]

The Christian right among his ( Stephen Harper ) supporters would be well advised to remember that the PM's principals and values mean nothing when they are inconvenient, ( http://fairwhistleblower.ca/content/richard-colvins-catch-22 ) and at best, have the shelf life of a minority government that is desperately seeking re-election. Apparently Harper cares as much for women ( http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/811195--feds-grant-big-dollars-to-all-male-research-group ) as he does for religion and spirituallity... My wife and I work six days a week, no time for a ficticious God that wants my money that I need to pay bills - Harper: apparently he has lots of time on his hands to have fun on the taxpayer's dime. ( http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/811276--bryan-adams-jams-with-harper )

[DidiM]

For a Christian - Harper's actions are pretty un Christian no? After all - he has approved and legalized the ethnic cleansing going on in Quebec; he has approved and solidified that non Frencophone Quebecers no longer have access to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He has changed our Charter of Rights and Freedoms - without our knowledge and/or consent. He has allowed English to be removed as an Official language in Quebec - without our knowledge or consent. He has knowingly aided and abetted the ongoing 'starve the anglos OUT of the workforce' in Quebec. He outright LIED about his government being 'accountable' and welcoming and protecting 'whistle blowers. He has given new powers to Canada's Revenue agents - allowing them to accuse and convict Canadians for tax dollars owed - coupled with harassment & threats to pay up first and prove us wrong later; resulting in the death of one man and fear and misery for countless others. The list goes on and on.... with NOTHING Christian that I can see.
Take a look at a sample of the real truth re: Quebec... It's Canada's dirty secret... and very, very un-Christian Gee I wonder what Jesus thinks.
http://www.politicallyincorrectandproudofit.net/index/so-far-600-000-english-quebecers-forced-to-flee-canada-s-dirty-secret