Outraged members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) say they have been directed not to call upon God during public prayer! The reason? Doing so might violate inclusivity and diversity.
The Minister of National Defense has previously stated that public prayer must "reflect the spiritual and religious diversity of Canadians." One CAF member told LifeSite News that "Freedom of religion, I am afraid, is slowly being replaced by freedom from religion."
A spokesman for the Department of National Defense said that chaplains speaking publicly at military ceremonies, "should not use the word 'God' or other references to a higher power such as 'Heavenly Father.'" Even using the phrase "Our Father" could violate gender-based guidelines. Presumably praying to "Whom it may concern" would pass the test, but would be unlikely to stir souls.
All this is happening as Canadians prepare to observe Remembrance Day, during which prayer is offered in honor of the country's war dead. Another CAF member speaking to LifeSite News anonymously summed up the situation this way: "If we can't even live according to our conscience, if you can't speak truth as we see it, then we've lost the essence of what it means to be the military…we've lost our freedom."
What is happening in Canada is also happening throughout the European democracies. We are fighting the same battles in the United States, too. Fortunately, the addition of three conservative Supreme Court justices under the Trump administration has given us a pro-religious liberty majority on the court—at least for now. More prayer is needed.
