美浸與Bill C-9 (打擊仇恨法案)
親愛的美浸大家庭：
我們想提醒大家注意一項已在加拿大成為法律的重要聯邦法案C-9《打擊仇恨法案》。
該法案旨在解決加拿大境內日益嚴重的仇恨犯罪和反猶太主義問題 – 這些是我們支持並認真對待的目標。然而，在議會審議過程中，一項修正案被添加，刪除了《刑事法例》中一項名為「真誠宗教信仰辯護」的現有保護條款。
以前，加拿大法律承認，人們可能出於善意，基於宗教教義和經典文本，真誠地表達信仰，且無意煽動仇恨。這項保護條款很少被使用，也從未在法庭上被成功濫用。
許多宗教團體擔心，取消這項保護可能會逐漸限制加拿大的宗教表達自由，並可能對那些不認同文化觀念變化的教會和宗教團體造成不公平的影響。由於新立法對仇恨犯罪的定義非常廣泛及可能由法庭就定義作出詮釋，因此在未來對某些經文的教導或講道可能會受到限制。
加拿大福音派團契也表達了擔憂，認為刪除此辯護條款會進一步將宗教表達邊緣化，並對宗教和表達自由造成意想不到的後果。
請祈禱：
- 為我們選出的領導者求智慧
- 為保護加拿大的宗教自由
- 為社區免受仇恨和暴力影響
感謝您抽出時間了解資訊並積極參與。
美浸執事會及教牧團隊
MCBC and Bill C-9 (Combatting Hate Act)
Dear MCBC Church Family,
We want to make you aware of an important federal bill that has become a legislation in Canada: Bill C-9 Combatting Hate Act.
This bill was introduced to address growing concerns about hate crimes and antisemitism in Canada – goals we support and take seriously. However, during the parliamentary process, an amendment was added that removes an existing protection in the “Criminal Code” known as the “good faith religious belief defence.”
Formerly, Canadian law recognizes that people may sincerely express beliefs based on religious teachings and sacred texts in good faith, without intending hatred. This protection has rarely been used and has never been successfully abused in court.
Many faith communities are concerned that removing this protection could gradually limit freedom of religious expression in Canada and could unfairly affect churches and religious communities whose beliefs may not align with changing cultural views. Since the definition of Hate Crime according to the new legislation is very broad and could be open to interpretation by the court, the teaching or preaching of certain passages in the scriptures could be restricted in the future.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada has expressed concern that removing this defence may further marginalize religious communities and create unintended consequences for freedom of religion and expression.
Please pray:
- for wisdom for our elected leaders
- for protection of religious freedom in Canada
- for all communities affected by hatred and violence
Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and engaged.
MCBC Deacon Board and Pastoral Team