Canada and Australia's Dilemma

An interesting dilemma has popped up in the governments of Canada & Australia - should the LORD's prayer be abolished, or even - gasp - rewritten???

The LORD's prayer is recited at the beginning of their legislative assemblies, but there have been cries for the practice to be terminated. These outcries are in Canberra,Australia and Ontario,Canada. 

Quebec in Canada is seeing a similar up-in-arms to remove the Christian symbol of the crucifix from its National Assembly.

Briefly -

"A Canadian Jew says public Christianity infringes on his religious freedom. Henry Freitag is on a righteous campaign to eliminate all religious expressions from every level of Canadian government. The septuagenarian Jewish resident from Penetanguishene, Ont., who immigrated to Canada in 1956, does not attempt to hide his zeal. Last year he persuaded the Ontario Court of Appeal to rule out reciting the prayer at all Ontario city council meetings, regardless of public opinion."

"If Ontario has its beef against the Lord's Prayer being recited daily at the Legislature, Quebec lawmakers on Friday dealt with its Christian tradition through a question if it should keep the crucifix on its National Assembly or remove the Christian symbol."

"A federal minister has poured cold water on a suggestion the Lord's Prayer may be replaced by an acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land at the daily opening of parliament in Canberra.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Harry Jenkins, has called for a public debate
about whether or not the daily prayer should be rewritten or replaced. He said the prayer was the most controversial aspect of parliamentary procedures and had been raised with him by MPs and members."

When I read these articles, I felt both amazed that these countries had been upholding the practice of dedicating each of their sessions to the LORD and dismay that they would want it scrapped - especially now when the world is sinking into financial and political chaos (all predicted in Revelations).

I guess it is not surprising since we are in this world but not of this world, and there is a growing lack of tolerance by the world with regards to Christianity. 

In the minds of many worldly people, Christians practice religious intolerance due to our stand that Yahweh is the true God. I can understand why some of them are disgusted because there are Christians who oppress people with their beliefs.

BUT for every oppressive Christian who tries to force their belief upon people, there are other Christians who just share the love of Christ with others, whilst respecting that we all operate out of free will, and that we can sow seeds and water souls but whether they sprout, take root and grow or not is entirely up to their personal decision.

I hope that the LORD's prayer is not abolished from these places, or (*chill down the spine*) re-worded (come on it was given personally by Christ... don't mess with the words people)... but if it is, I am interested to see what happens to Quebec, Canberra and Ontario.

I wish them God's shalom... don't rock the boat if it ain't rocking 'tis all I am saying. ^.^"

Additional note:

"Ontario has yet to resolve if it would follow Quebec's response when it came to threats against the province's Christian roots. But unlike Charest who initiated keeping the crucifix, it is Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, a Roman Catholic, who spearheads the move to scrap the Pater Noster from its daily legislative habits."