By Joe Couto on
John Tory, the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in Ontario, is working hard to convince Ontario voters to ditch the province’s incumbent Liberal government for his kinder, gentler version of conservatism—not an easy sell in a province where former…Read More→
By Joe Couto on
What’s a “conversation” with Canadians aged 30 to 45—a lost generation for most congregations in Canada—worth to the United Church of Canada (UCC)? The price tag for an ambitious media campaign will cost Canada’s largest Protestant denomination a hefty $6-8…Read More→
By Joe Couto on
TORONTO, ON—Is God a “Holy Mystery” and “Mother”? Was Jesus “the child of Wisdom”? Proponents of Faith Talk II, a new draft statement of faith being considered by United Church of Canada congregations, say they are putting traditional Christian doctrines…Read More→
By Joe Couto on
The United Church of Canada, long a champion of workers’ rights and the labour movement in Canada, is set to square off against one of its traditional union allies over a unionization campaign by Ontario ministers who accuse the church…Read More→
By Joe Couto on
Faith groups often complain that reporters aren’t interested in news about religion unless it involves sexual or financial scandals and journalists largely shun the religion beat because they perceive it be about bake sales and soup kitchens. Bridging the gap…Read More→
By Joe Couto on
TORONTO, ON-Roy Matheson has been one of the most vocal opponents of a move by conservatives within one of Canada’s largest evangelical denominations, the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada (FEBCC), to make male leadership a test of membership…Read More→
By Joe Couto on
BARRIE, ON-Todd Dugard thinks it’s time Christian clergy got out of the marriage business. It’s not that the pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Barrie, Ontario, doesn’t think marriage is important, but that it’s time ministers stopped being “agents of…Read More→
By Joe Couto on
The portrait of religion in Canada emerging from Statistics Canada’s release on May 13 of data on religious affiliation from the 2001 census shows a nation still overwhelming Christian. But while some three-quarters of Canadians identify themselves as Christians, the…Read More→
By Joe Couto on
OTTAWA, ON–Gay rights advocates and a coalition of conservative Christian groups are on another legal collision course, this time over the issue of whether business owners have a right to refuse work if it conflicts with their religious beliefs. John…Read More→
By Joe Couto on
Evolving beyond a simple budget policy measure, Ontario’s controversial education tax credit has become a debate about the place of religion in public life, complete with charges of elitism, anti-Semitism and intolerance from a myriad of groups supporting or opposing…Read More→