Wisconsin Capitol Building's "Holiday Tree"

[CutiePie2000]

Since we have both Canadians and Americans weighing in on this topic, something to keep in mind:

"If people tell you they want to stick to the hard and fast rule of separation of church and state, tell them to consult Canada’s laws. That’s an American law. In Canada our laws are governed by religious accommodation."

http://www.stephenhammond.ca/newslet...ails.php?id=58 (He's a great lawyer and a phenomenal public speaker also)

[RACooper]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

Since we have both Canadians and Americans weighing in on this topic, something to keep in mind:

"If people tell you they want to stick to the hard and fast rule of separation of church and state, tell them to consult Canada’s laws. That’s an American law. In Canada our laws are governed by religious accommodation."

Religious Accommodation true, but Canada doesn't have a separation of church & state; the Queen is the Head of State and the head of the Anglican Church and many of our foundational documents, laws, traditions and even National Anthem reflect that - which is why at state events and ceremonies it is an Anglican priest that leads the service parts (Remembrance Day, Opening of Parliament, Swearing in of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Swearing in of the Governor General, etc.) and yet with all that it is interesting to note how we are pointed at as a secular nation with an assumed separation of church and state simply because of the principle of religious accommodation that took years to develop.

Oh one final note - Anglicans don't even come close to being the majority of Christians in Canada... Canada is a Catholic nation in practise (12 million Catholics to 9 million Protestants altogether).

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by RACooper

Religious Accommodation true, but Canada doesn't have a separation of church & state; the Queen is the Head of State and the head of the Anglican Church and many of our foundational documents, laws, traditions and even National Anthem reflect that - which is why at state events and ceremonies it is an Anglican priest that leads the service parts (Remembrance Day, Opening of Parliament, Swearing in of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Swearing in of the Governor General, etc.) and yet with all that it is interesting to note how we are pointed at as a secular nation with an assumed separation of church and state simply because of the principle of religious accommodation that took years to develop.

Oh one final note - Anglicans don't even come close to being the majority of Christians in Canada... Canada is a Catholic nation in practise (12 million Catholics to 9 million Protestants altogether).

We're Catholic because of our French heritage. I think Protestants would outrank only slightly if we are talking about Canada outside Quebec (sure, many Quebecois don't go to church, but they consider themselves Catholic nonetheless.) And that's only if all Protestants are grouped together, whether they are fundementalists/evangelical/right wing or "main line."

Question: If the swearing in ceremony of the PM, Cabinet, GG, etc...what happens if the individual is not Christian and is uncomfortable with an Anglican priest? Do they decline?