Yup, and the more people of other faiths grew the more intolerant is was – times change Aaron, so should practices of this nature. The legislature says it represents everyone, and its practices should do the same, don’t you think?

And what did that “intolerance” actually mean for you when the Lord’s Prayer was being read?

I think I explained that – reread what I said.

Sorry for trying to pull you past the realm of abstract platitudes, but I really think you need to start telling us why we should get rid of a long tradition on the basis of your hurt feelings and little else.

Over time society has dropped and/or changed and/or created any number of traditions as it developed. It’s the difference between tradition for traditions sake, and relevant traditions.

That’s not, however, what politicians in a democracy are supposed to do. They are supposed to do the people’s business. And the people are perfectly capable of saying the Lord’s Prayer, or any other prayer, as they please, any time they please. As are the politicians. It’s the act of trying to do it officially, FOR the people, which is nonsensical: both unnecessary, and demonstrating a sincere lack of appreciation for the whole idea of representative government.

But then, for all the claimed lack of interest, if you care enough about it to get all snippy and insulting towards those doing away with it, then perhaps you care a lot more about your perceived special privilege than you let on. In which case your whining about how having it hurts no one seems a tad hypocritical.

5″And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Because rightwing Christo-fascism is being put on notice.

I’m having trouble following your argument here. Was Canada “insular and intolerant” when the Lord’s Prayer was being recited in your provincial legislature? And what did that “intolerance” actually mean for you when the Lord’s Prayer was being read?

Sorry for trying to pull you past the realm of abstract platitudes, but I really think you need to start telling us why we should get rid of a long tradition on the basis of your hurt feelings and little else.

How Christian. Do you sneer like that when you hiss out the Lord’s Prayer?

Ya know, if any of us went to other less free lands we’d probably discover that the tolerance for our customs and our beliefs would be pretty darned low. If you want Canada lumped in with countries like that it’s your business, personally I’m glad we’re not there yet because I’m not a real big fan of becoming more like them.

As far as how I make my living I suppose I could tell you it’s none of your business, and I’d be perfectly justified in doing so, that sort of tactic is sort of pathetic IMO…. then again, maybe you are defined by who cuts your pay cheque and see things differently. But just to ease your mind Aaron, I once received government backed student loans, and for a while had an evening job teaching computer courses at a government funded community college (oh the horror ‘eh?).

Aside from those small forays into what you may consider “the dark side” I have spent my life working in either the private sector, or the non profit sector – sorry, aside from a tax refund cheque now and again, I’m not now, nor have I ever been, on the state payroll.

Yawn. Your words exactly, dear. Now that you’ve been corrected, you’re backpedalling. Not exactly a position of strength but I can see why you might try.

One can assume that being a Blogging Tory means never having to stand by what you’ve said or implied.

Sigh, not really. The point was to illustrate how Stageleft had not been hurt in any tangible way by the Lord’s Prayer being read in the Nunavut Legislature. I thought that came across pretty well, at least to the general reading population.

But I understand why you would think that. Will you be running along now?

Any other snotty innuendos to make, Aaron?

Lulu, I won a scholarship from the government once. Any other weighty contributions to make?

If it’s fair to ask the question of Stageleft merely because he has no problem with doing away with this practice then it’s equally fair to ask it of you.

“That blogger makes a living off of the government.”

“The blogger who calls himself Stageleft and who wrote the post in question” does not “make a living off the government”. What he choses to tell you about his work is up to him. I know he once worked for the Territorial government in Nunavut many years ago; that’s it.

You are mistaken. “Stageleft” is a group of three bloggers, none of whom are employed by the government. The others can disclose as they see fit: I have owned my own business since 1993.