Thursday, September 10, 2009
In late November 2007, the Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC) ruled that Pastor Stephen Boissoin and the Concerned Christian Coalition (CCC) violated Alberta's human rights law by publishing a letter in a local newspaper that was "likely to expose homosexuals to hatred or contempt because of their sexual preference". On May 30, in the penalty phase of the proceedings, the AHRC ruled that Boissoin and CCC must pay damages equivalent to $7,000 as a result of the tribunal's decision to side with the complainant, homosexual activist Darren Lund.
The ruling also ordered Boissoin and CCC to cease publishing "disparaging remarks" about homosexuals in the future in newspapers, by email, on the radio, in public speeches, or on the internet. Furthermore, Boissoin was ordered to publicly apologize to Lund in a local newspaper statement.
Boissoin has publicly stated that he "will never offer an apology" and has appealed the ruling. His court appearance is scheduled for September 16-17. As is to be expected in a case that has dragged on for seven years, his court costs have accumulated to over $150,000. You can make a donation to his legal costs online by going to http://www.stephenboissoin.com/. I know that I am planning to.
Please remember this case in prayer. Pray that Mr. Boissoin’s lawyers will get a fair hearing and that his appeal will be successful.
This is an important case for freedom of expression and belief here in Canada. Mr. Boissoin has been effectively muzzled by a quasi-legal body for the rest of his life from ever expressing his biblically-based views on homosexuality. In what is reminiscent of Soviet show trials, he is also being forced to publicly apologize for a crime he claims never to have committed.
Update: Canadian pastor appeals ruling
Pastor Stephen Boissoin is scheduled to appear in court on September 16-17 to appeal a ruling made by the Alberta Human Rights Commission in May 2008 that he and the Concerned Christian Coalition violated the province's human rights law by publishing a letter in a local newspaper that was "likely to expose homosexuals to hatred or contempt because of their sexual preference".
Christians! Wake up!
The end is here! Do you have any doubts about it? The question is not:
"Are these the final days of humanity or not?"
But:
"Am I ready spiritually?"
Or more alarming still:
"Am I ready to suffer for the love of Christ?"
You may refute the idea by saying:
"These things don't happen in the Western world, ours is a free society..."
And I say to you:
"Well, it's happening now..."
Elisabete Teixeira