tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post7998676656631197455..comments2024-03-01T06:01:21.087-05:00Comments on A Blog By James Curran: The Harper Nobody Knows....Shhhhh, it's a SecretJames Curranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-73273015601950906242008-09-29T23:24:00.000-04:002008-09-29T23:24:00.000-04:00You didn't really answer my question.If one/group ...You didn't really answer my question.<BR/><BR/>If one/group opposes abortion or gay marriage does it automatically mean they're NOT Liberals if they happen to be? Or does it mean they're automatically reactionaries?<BR/><BR/>There's some stuff where a line has to be drawn. I'm so thankful for example when Paul Martin shot down the whole idea of legalizing prostitution.Top Canhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12377393114119174502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-26486230759001377822008-09-26T22:03:00.000-04:002008-09-26T22:03:00.000-04:00And you really believe that?And you really believe that?James Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-38858384711859751102008-09-26T20:51:00.000-04:002008-09-26T20:51:00.000-04:00Then you admit that the Reform and Alliance partie...Then you admit that the Reform and Alliance parties were not named after churches?<BR/> <BR/>That's all I'm taking issue with here. As an agnostic, I'd prefer religion kept out of politics completely. Unfortunately, that's really not possible when religion based issues such as same sex marriage are on the board.Sitsonsixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15085531935099097698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-53136318521186185892008-09-26T20:33:00.000-04:002008-09-26T20:33:00.000-04:00Take it up with the author.Take it up with the author.James Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-10773651204790494362008-09-26T20:30:00.000-04:002008-09-26T20:30:00.000-04:00That's one of the silliest, most ridiculously part...That's one of the silliest, most ridiculously partisan things I've ever heard.<BR/> <BR/>http://www.liberalcatholic.org/<BR/> <BR/>I guess we'd all best beware the upcoming evil Liberal theocracy.Sitsonsixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15085531935099097698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-58680719487187676772008-09-26T15:11:00.000-04:002008-09-26T15:11:00.000-04:00Our friend Andrew Prescott asks us to live religio...Our friend Andrew Prescott asks us to live religion out of politics, yet Preston Manning, Stockwell Day and Stephen Harper with the only two Canadian Federal parties in history to be named after Churches....The Reform and the Alliance.<BR/><BR/>You see Andrew, Religion decided they wanted to be government.James Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-79284464670616995062008-09-26T15:10:00.001-04:002008-09-26T15:10:00.001-04:00Alan, your post is disturbing. This post of mine h...Alan, your post is disturbing. This post of mine here is simply an opinion of a guy in the Vancouver Sun. I highly doubt anyone here would give a damn about "stalking your flock". Give your head a shake.James Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-70746961160296838412008-09-26T15:10:00.000-04:002008-09-26T15:10:00.000-04:00Alan, your post is disturbing. This post of mine h...Alan, your post is disturbing. This post of mine here is simply an opinion of a guy in the Vancouver Sun. I highly doubt anyone here would give a damn about "stalking your flock". Give your head a shake.James Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-6445930599410600662008-09-26T14:18:00.000-04:002008-09-26T14:18:00.000-04:00Legal until the end of the second trimester...What...Legal until the end of the second trimester...<BR/>What about in the case of the health of the woman? And also keeping in mind that Dr Morgentaler will not perform abortions after 24 weeks, and that the number is significantly low...Why a law? Just to cause more hoops and greif for women and their families ? Seems odd that the focus is on all these supposed late term abortions that simply do not occur, anyway. More red herrings. If this supposed MUCH needed law goes through, we all know it will not stop there. incremental, "so as not to scare the electorate"....(That is the plan on the REAL women website btw, and a flanagan tactic) Its not broke, no need to "fix it".<BR/><BR/>Red meat to the base.Palehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06791499814706254231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-63069390613205725042008-09-26T11:25:00.000-04:002008-09-26T11:25:00.000-04:00Well.. this is better - discussion of issues..ok -...Well.. this is better - discussion of issues..<BR/><BR/>ok - I am a lawyer. I believe strongly that we can't tell our citizens murder is wrong, by sanctioning government murder. If the CPC begins to suggest Capital Punishment be implimented, I'll be in the streets with you fighting against it.<BR/><BR/>I do not believe that we needed to chage the definition of marriage to respect and include homosexuals into broad society - but, the issue is now moot, and I haven't seen anything to suggest anyone in the party sees it as different. I have in fact attended provincial pc agm's, and seen the Alberta PC'S (no one's righter than that) shout down delegates seeking to reopen that can of worms - it's not going to happen.<BR/><BR/>I think we need an abortion law - even though I'm pro-choice. I think some government has to have the balls to say, third trimester abortions are illegal. That killing a fetus, other than in compliance with a state sanctioned abortion, should be a crime. The complete vacuum on this point by all parties is a disgrace. If you're pro-choice Jack or Stephane - put it in legislation and run the risk of getting hammered - if you're against it, or at least feel some standards need to be set - Harper - have the guts to put your platform in writing. The absense of any position by any party I find disgraceful.<BR/><BR/>..so tell me James - I'm a hard-core Conservative (at present - I actually did vote for John Turner when i lived in Quadra) - if I said abortions are legal up to the end of the second trimester, the gay marriage issue is dead, and capital punishment is an anachronism that teaches that murder is ok, as long as you are the state... would we really have a significant disagreement?Robert G. Harvie, Q.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10414822301931567654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-40322188771182546222008-09-26T10:58:00.000-04:002008-09-26T10:58:00.000-04:00Hi, James. I just like you to know and I hope othe...Hi, James. I just like you to know and I hope others are reading this.<BR/><BR/>I've been an active Liberal for 4 years. I also attend the Chinese Alliance Church in my community, which falls under the umbrella of the Christian Missionary Alliance. <BR/><BR/>As much as a fellow Liberal as I am, I find your opinions regarding my church rather condescending. You seemed to have pulled only a segment of the beliefs of the CMA on your post in order to highlight negative aspects of a religious organization. Let me show you the mission statement from my home church, okay?<BR/><BR/><I>CAC is a faith community which glorifies God by becoming a Seekers friendly, passionate in Discipling believers, caring towards the Community and zealous in Missions.</I><BR/><BR/>I hardly call that statement egregious or controversial. And by the way, what's wrong with believing in the coming of Christ? Or opposing the killing of unborn children? And in my church, we actually have female pastors. <BR/><BR/>I'm really getting sick of this argument about how being secular is right, and being religious seems to be wrong. Whatever one's faith is, one must realize that the foundations of one's faith is showing love towards others and behaving in a manner worthy in His name. Honestly, as much as Harper hates Liberals, I don't think he wishes them physical harm.<BR/><BR/>I mean, if one opposes abortion or gay marriage does it automatically mean they're NOT Liberals if they happen to be?<BR/><BR/>By the way, I excluded the actual name of my church in order to retain anonimity. I don't want you stalking my friends.Top Canhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12377393114119174502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-19200599249581513302008-09-26T10:56:00.000-04:002008-09-26T10:56:00.000-04:00As I said Rob, I simply posted a piece from the Va...As I said Rob, I simply posted a piece from the Vancouver Sun. It appears now, people want to attack me for something written by someone else. Interesting that. <BR/><BR/>This Conservative caucus prefers to re-open old fights, the death penalty, same sex marriage and Ken Epps back-door abortion bill. That happens to be true.James Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-14379137465700336842008-09-26T10:52:00.000-04:002008-09-26T10:52:00.000-04:00Ok - here it comes, a right-wing dinosaur apology....Ok - here it comes, a right-wing dinosaur apology. Rather than just try and make a point that attacking religion or race, I insulted you James - mea culpa - not necessary to call you names to try and engage you.<BR/><BR/>If you're point is simply that you have concerns regarding Harper resulting from the free vote on gay marriage, fair enough (though I disagree that there was anything wrong with polling Parliament on the point).<BR/><BR/>Beyond that, however, I don't think we do politics a service by goint beyond platform and public commentary and attacking someone based upon what thier faith is, what their cultural values are, etc.. I would prefer that we tone down our anger and intollerance and ask the questions that really matter and ignore those that don't.Robert G. Harvie, Q.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10414822301931567654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-26910518273242751962008-09-26T10:41:00.000-04:002008-09-26T10:41:00.000-04:00James Curran in a nutshell, (which is how most peo...James Curran in a nutshell, (which is how most people will picture him after this post), Liberals can handle their religion, Conservatives can't.<BR/><BR/>Give <I>your</I> head a shake.<BR/><BR/>No wait, it looks like you already have.....<BR/><BR/><BR/>==Plattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11002593634392269611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-72061749518739598552008-09-26T10:39:00.000-04:002008-09-26T10:39:00.000-04:00Bigot. Definition of:One who is strongly partial t...Bigot. Definition of:<BR/><BR/>One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.<BR/><BR/>Jean Chretien, Paul Martin, Pierre Trudeau, all of which were Roman Catholic, none of which tried to force the Roman Catholic beliefs of no same sex marriage and no abortions down the throats of Canadians. <BR/><BR/>Harper, however, invited another vote on same sex marriage as one of his first acts as Prime Minister. A battle that had already been fought. That's a bigot!James Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-25467884821151333012008-09-26T10:15:00.000-04:002008-09-26T10:15:00.000-04:00Bigot. There, I said it. You are a small-minded ...Bigot. There, I said it. You are a small-minded bigot. Under the guise of concern for women or gays, you attack a candidates faith - where the reality is that you are simply using that as a shield to mislead readers from your own bigotted agenda.<BR/><BR/>Everyone is entitled to their own faith. For the record, I'm a non-denonimational Christian. I support the right to choose, believe in birth control, and believe women should be able to minister in any church. <BR/><BR/>And I have no qualms about any Conservative, Liberal or NDP who has a different faith than I do - I will judge them by their record and their professed platform, not by their private spirituality.<BR/><BR/>Views like yours are a cancer to democracy - you are the same ilk who badgered Stockwell Day about his belief on abortion, yet completely ignored the reality that Jean Chretien was a Catholic.<BR/><BR/>Are you suggesting we refuse to elect Catholics in addition to Evangellicals? How about Muslims or Jews for that matter. Trust me, if you study some deeper theology, you will find plenty to offend you with those Churches as well.<BR/><BR/>Why don't you simply stick to the reality of the issues. If you oppose government positions over the past years, fine, complain, and I'll do the same about Stephane Dion and Jack Layton - but I won't complain about their religious beliefs, their sexual orientation, their race or any other matter private to them.Robert G. Harvie, Q.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10414822301931567654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-2480596593519788082008-09-26T10:02:00.000-04:002008-09-26T10:02:00.000-04:00Yes. Remember the instant vote on Gay marriage whe...Yes. <BR/><BR/>Remember the instant vote on Gay marriage when he became PM? How about Ken Epp's bill? Why were they polling about the death penalty? <BR/><BR/>Give your head a shake!James Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-88790265114953547652008-09-26T09:58:00.000-04:002008-09-26T09:58:00.000-04:00"Do you really think Frank Valeriote will become P..."Do you really think Frank Valeriote will become Prime Minister and run an entire religious agenda in a Liberal caucus?"<BR/><BR/>Really James - do you REALLY believe that Stephen Harper will become a religious zealot if he wins the Prime Ministership - oh, right - he DID win the Prime Ministership. Now tell me what in the last two and a half years has he done that would in any way point to him implementing a religious agenda. <BR/><BR/>You are reaching James and this "hidden agenda", scary Harper, what would he do if he had a majority" is getting really old and most sensible, thinking Canadians are so over it. <BR/><BR/>But Good Luck with it James. Sounds like you are going to need it.Alberta Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08285990094040133979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-24563988590136432052008-09-26T09:11:00.000-04:002008-09-26T09:11:00.000-04:00And just for good measure, here's Frank answering ...And just for good measure, here's Frank answering the question personally. <BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NyXp0XP6Gg<BR/><BR/>"While his faith tells him otherwise, he supports a woman's right to choose." <BR/><BR/>As a Roman Catholic I'm not supposed to support abortion either my friend. Having said that, you know full well I support a woman's right to choose. <BR/><BR/>I'm not God and either is Stephen Harper. Who are we to impose our will on others?James Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-84554086269481372432008-09-26T09:02:00.000-04:002008-09-26T09:02:00.000-04:00Let me ask you. Do you really think Frank Valeriot...Let me ask you. Do you really think Frank Valeriote will become Prime Minister and run an entire religious agenda in a Liberal caucus? Really? He must be waaaay ahead in that riding.James Curranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064830948270604331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-16502402478489907492008-09-26T09:00:00.000-04:002008-09-26T09:00:00.000-04:00Statement of Faith for Lakeside Bible Church<A HREF="http://canadaconservative.blogspot.com/2008/07/statement-of-faith.html" REL="nofollow">Statement of Faith for Lakeside Bible Church</A>Christian Conservativehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08209597951882278141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-74860467565199275252008-09-26T08:58:00.000-04:002008-09-26T08:58:00.000-04:00James, with this article, I fully expect you to ho...James, with this article, I fully expect you to hold other candidates to the same standard... namely Guelph Liberal candidate Frank Valeriote, who attends Lakeside Bible Church. You see, he's a former Catholic, who converted to Evangelicalism some time ago. <I>(however, he started re-attending the local Catholic mega-church in addition to his regular Evangelical church home during the run-up to the by-election... interesting)</I><BR/><BR/>For the record... it's an affiliated church with my own, and has the same core beliefs and principles as I do. Here's their statement of Faith... which I posted on my blog several months ago in preperation for the anticipated "Fear & Smear" attack from you Liberals. And you haven't disappointed me James. <I>(I know... desperate times call for desperate measures)</I><BR/><BR/>What does Frank's church believe? Pretty much everything I believe... <I>"believes Jesus Christ will return to Earth in an apocalypse, won't ordain women, strongly opposes abortion and divorce, condemns homosexuality as the most base of sins and believes those who aren't born-again are "lost"."</I>... the very same things you take Harper to task for.<BR/><BR/>Hypocrite.<BR/><BR/>Are you suggesting that Guelph voters shouldn't vote for Mr. Valeriote because he's an Evangelical Christian?Christian Conservativehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08209597951882278141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-49786756467981909852008-09-26T01:50:00.000-04:002008-09-26T01:50:00.000-04:00While I'm not a cheerleader of evangelical protest...While I'm not a cheerleader of evangelical protestant movements and their mega churches (there's theological reasoning behind that) I don't know how strongly the church Harper attends will influence his policies in the government. After all, he didn't grow up an evangelical - he married one. Indeed, in the book, "The Pilgrimage of Stephen Harper" by Lloyd Mackey (which has ooodles of goodies that expose Harper's hypocrisy and how he's done a 180 on what were claimed as "true" conservative positions - and most interestingly, he even has turned his back on his own MA thesis in the days prior to calling the election!) tells the tale of how Harper was brought into the church, by his wife, and primarily for his children. Mackey even goes onto suggest that Harper is merely going through the motions to be a good husband, kinda like showing up to class with sunglasses on and sleeping through the lecture.<BR/><BR/>Whether you trust Mackey's side or not, I think there are worse members of the party who have real track records of actually infusing their dangerous, and in some cases, unbiblical, beliefs into the political discourse. Harper in my opinion, is merely paying lip-service to the Christian far-right.Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16984468805919067190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865994732097663473.post-64334524268323086792008-09-26T01:07:00.000-04:002008-09-26T01:07:00.000-04:00Old news James.The church of Stephen HarperAt East...Old news James.<BR/><BR/>The church of Stephen Harper<BR/>At East Gate Alliance<BR/>COLIN CAMPBELL | Feb 20, 2006<BR/><BR/>http://www.macleans.ca/culture/lifestyle/article.jsp?content=20060220_121848_121848wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03589410224972050999noreply@blogger.com