O, Canada....The impact of legalizing homosexual marriage
June 29, 2005
www.afa.net/homosexual_agenda/GetArticle.asp?id=266 O, Canada...
The impact of legalizing homosexual marriage
By Stephen BennettOver the last several years, I have developed a friendship with a fellow Christian from Canada. His name is Chris Kempling. Chris, a husband and father of two grown children, is a Guidance Counselor, overseeing several elementary schools in his province. In addition, Chris also has a clinical private practice, helping men and women to overcome their unwanted same-sex attraction. One day, I was shocked to find a story about Chris in World Net Daily. He was now being vigorously persecuted not only for his Christian faith, but also his beliefs about homosexuality. Chris' beliefs and convictions about homosexuality are rooted in his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures. During his private time, he wrote several letters to the editors of several local Canadian newspapers, expressing his views on homosexuality, reparative therapy, homosexual marriage and more - as an official member of Canada's Christian Heritage Party. There are those within the "establishment" who are now out to financially destroy and ruin him, as they also have tried to do to many other Canadian citizens. These are all individuals who publicly expressed their strong, pro-family convictions regarding the God-ordained institution of heterosexual marriage - between one man and one woman.
The Rev. Tristan Emmanuel is one of Canada's most vocal, vibrant and articulate Christians leaders, taking a stand for righteousness in a country that is quickly cracking at its foundation. An ordained Presbyterian minister and the Executive Director of the ECP Centre (Equipping Christians for the Public Square,) Tristan has rallied over 60,000 pro-family, concerned Canadian citizens, to take a stand for traditional marriage. He also believes in supporting and standing behind those who are doing the same. The ECP Centre held its 2nd Annual Fundraising Dinner on Friday night June 24, 2005, in honor of Chris Kempling. I was privileged to be asked to be the key note speaker, as well as provide the music for the evening. The sold out event drew over 250 people, paying a minimum of $100 a ticket to just get in the door. Tens of thousands of dollars in additional funds came in, and continue to do so, to help support the ongoing work of the ECP Centre and the escalating legal fees of Chris Kempling.
Chris' brief, five minute speech, had people in tears. One's heart could not help but break hearing the persecution he was enduring, taking a stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This gentle, soft spoken man, was suspended without pay for three months by his college, lost two major court cases, has been financially ruined and is now appealing to Canada's Supreme Court. His legal fees will be upwards of $1,000,000.00 when all is said and done. Chris was threatened by his college of professional peers that if he spoke out publicly any more about is "politically incorrect" views, he would be fired immediately. I guess it's only a matter of time before this tragically becomes Mr. Kempling's demise.
Canada has "hate" speech/crimes laws and regulations and Canadian Christians, along with other people of faith, are being vehemently persecuted for speaking out publicly against the acceptance and promotion of homosexuality within their own country. I was told by Rev. Tristan NOT to bring most of our resources on homosexuality, for going through the Canadian border, they might get seized and I could possibly be denied entry into Canada. I was able to bring several hundred of SBM's tracts for the attendees, "I Was Gay" and "The Traditional American Family."
Although Chris Kempling was unable to speak freely, I told him, "Brother, I will be your voice tonight." I spoke for nearly an hour - openly and freely as an American. I shared my personal story, the truth about homosexuality, the difference between individuals struggling with homosexuality and the militant, intolerant homosexual activist movement. I also shared the logical consequences of legalized homosexual "marriage" on society - and eventually, on our children. "I will not be silenced by any individual or government from speaking the truth. The truth is NOT hate speech. Let them come in here now and arrest me. I have the God given right to free speech and I can't help but proclaim the things that Jesus Christ has done in my life," I said.
At the end of my speech, I held in one hand a coffee creamer from our dinner table. I read the simple wording on the label to the attentive audience: "100% REAL CREAM - ALL NATURAL." That is all the label said. In my other hand, I held another coffee creamer. Yet this one was very different. It was a sealed paper packet that had a drawing of a farm, sitting on rolling hills. The sun was setting in the background, the picture very beautiful and peaceful. I read the label to the audience: "Wholesome Farms - NON-DAIRY CREAMER. Ingredients: Corn Syrup Solids, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and/or Canola Oils, Sodium Caseinate (A Milk Derivative), Dipotassium Phosphate, Mono and Diglyceerides, Artificial Colors, Silicon Dioxide, Lechtin, Artificial Flavors." You see, one coffee creamer was "REAL" - and the other was "ARTIFICIAL." I said, "As a former homosexual, I stand here before you today and say to you first hand, THIS is the difference between the God ordained institution of marriage between one man and one woman - and so-called homosexual "marriage."
As I left the stage to a standing ovation and cheering (I truly say that with humility,) I was told by a Canadian man, "I can't even begin to tell you how you've impacted this audience tonight. Canadians are extremely reserved - and what you are seeing right now rarely happens here. You don't know what this means."
Chris Kempling was presented with a check by Rev. Tristan Emmanuel for $18,000.00, with another $32,000.00 pledged to Chris' legal fees by the end of the year. Chris was deeply moved - words could not express the gratitude in his heart for the outpouring of love and support.
After, I met the Christian Canadian printer who was brought up on hate crimes by the Human Rights Tribunal for refusing to print homosexual literature. He was financially ruined by the Canadian government and was the recipient of the ECP Centre's gift last year. I told him I was amazed at the persecution, as well as the real "intolerance" and bigotry in Canada, toward those who held to their biblical beliefs and convictions. Yet it has already hit home in the United States. According to World Net Daily and also The American Family Association, J. Matt Barber, a former Allstate Insurance employee, was fired because he wrote an article opposing the legalization of homosexual marriage in a newspaper in Illinois. Allstate "prides" itself in "diversity" and fired the employee - even though it had NOTHING to do with his job. David Gibbs III, a Christian Attorney and friend who represented the Schiavo family in Terri's plight, has taken up this new case. Here in the U.S. though, I believe Allstate will lose the case.
While the thrust of the ministry we are involved in is primarily to minister to individuals and families affected by homosexuality, I also speak publicly - representing the pro-family viewpoint - on the issue of the promotion and acceptance of homosexuality - which is NOT a political one - but a MORAL one. Because I take a strong, vocal and biblical stand regarding a lifestyle I was once involved in, does not mean I am taking a stand against any individual. Christians want to reach homosexuals for Jesus Christ, just as I was reached with the Truth by another Christian in 1992. However, when another group's lifestyle is legally forced and imposed upon all against the will of the people - and clearly in direct opposition to God's Word - Christians cannot be silent. Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
On Tuesday, June 28, 2005, under the approval and order of Canada's Catholic Prime Minister Paul Martin, Canada's House of Commons approved a bill legalizing homosexual marriage. It still needs to be approved by the liberal Senate in the end of July, which is seen just as a formality.
I end with the country's National Anthem - O Canada! While I have listed the official version, I also found two others that little school children were taught and sung in the early 1900's.
My... what a different tune Canada is singing today. - Stephen Bennett
O Canada National Anthem
Official lyrics:
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
>From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee
. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Two very different earlier versions and stories from the 1900's...
English Canada in general probably first heard "O Canada" when school
children sang it when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (later King George V and Queen Mary) toured Canada in 1901. Five years later Whaley and Royce in Toronto published the music with the French text and a translation into
English made by Dr. Thomas Bedford Richardson, a Toronto doctor. The Mendelssohn Choir used the Richardson lyrics in one of their performances about this time and Judge Routhier and the French press complimented the author.Richardson version:
O Canada! Our fathers' land of old
Thy brow is crown'd with leaves of red and gold.
Beneath the shade of the Holy Cross
Thy children own their birth
No stains thy glorious annals gloss
Since valour shield thy hearth.
Almighty God! On thee we call
Defend our rights, forfend this nation's thrall,
Defend our rights, forfend this nation's thrall.
In 1908 Collier's Weekly inaugurated its Canadian edition with a competition
for an English text to Lavall�e's music. It was won by Mercy E. Powell
McCulloch.
McCulloch version:
O Canada! in praise of thee we sing;
>From echoing hills our anthems proudly ring.
With fertile plains and mountains grand
With lakes and rivers clear,
Eternal beauty, thos dost stand
Throughout the changing year.
Lord God of Hosts! We now implore
Bless our dear land this day and evermore,
Bless our dear land this day and evermore.
Stephen Bennett is a Christian recording artist, speaker and evangelist. His music can be heard nationally on Christian radio and he is emerging as one of the nation's key speakers on 'coming out' of homosexuality and the homosexual agenda. He also writes commentary on the homosexual agenda for World Net Daily. For further information on Stephen Bennett, Stephen Bennett Ministries, or having Stephen minister at your church nationwide, please go to www.SBMinistries.org or call (203) 926-6960.
Copyright �2005 American Family Association