Rumours of Armageddon

[vaneramos]

If you love Canada because it is a gentler, more tolerant neighbour to the United States, a new book released this week should raise alarm bells. The Armageddon Factor by Marci McDonald investigates the rise of right-wing Christian nationalism in this country, and its growing influence in Stephen Harper's Conservative government. I haven't read the book yet, but the Toronto Star ran a review, Timing of book's release downright divine, and CBC's The Current ran an interview with McDonald on Tuesday.

It's hardly surprising considering the recent thrust of government policy: canceling funding for overseas aid agencies that provide abortions, and for feminist agencies, scientific research and Pride events across Canada, also an increasingly pro-Israeli stance regarding the Middle East.

Apparently Harper is a born-again Christian, but has never discussed this with mainstream media. As McDonald says, he is "a very, very canny strategist," using fiscal conservatism to obscure a social conservative agenda. He is connected to a movement opposed to the legalization of same-sex marriage and increasing secularization of Canadian society.

The title relates to the evangelical belief in the Armageddon prophecy: a sense of urgency to make Canada a Christian nation in preparation for end times. McDonald argues this minority view has had a growing influence over current policies. She does not wish to demonize Christians or members of any religion, however she says principles of faith should not be imposed on the rest of us.

She asks Canadians to wake up to the risk of this country becoming more like the United States in the wake of George W. Bush's regime. Maybe it's time to evaluate our complacency. I was dismayed to see that despite recent controversy and allegations of corruption and secrecy, Harper's government is enjoying increased support in the latest poll.

Comments

[bearfinch.livejournal.com]

I have read reviews of that book and it sounds a little alarmist, though certainly worth a read.

I'm not too discouraged by the recent poll; if you look at the trend (www.pollingreport.com) it's apparent that Harper is really neither gaining or losing on his already lukewarm support; and in Quebec and Ontario, he's been losing support.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

it sounds a little alarmist

I don't know about that; her analysis and predictions echo gut intuition I've felt about Harper from the beginning. I've been in that place (born again), I know how they justify imposing their values on others, and it gives me the willies. Besides, this is not a big stretch of the imagination. We've seen it happen elsewhere, to the detriment of personal freedom. McDonald does not predict it will happen overnight. She says the rise of social conservatism as a political influence in the States has taken 30 years. The Star article pointed out most Canadians assume we have legal separation of Church and State; we do not. That was a surprise to me.

[bearfinch.livejournal.com]

By a "little alarmist" I mean that, while what she is writing is a possibility and something to be concerned about, it's not an inevitability. Certainly the growth of non-christian and non-religious populations here may keep such radicalism in check.

There's been all sorts of predictions about future social or economic conditions that never really came about. Skepticism is always warranted.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

McDonald is not only making predictions. We have already seen a shift in policy toward social conservatism. This is happening despite the Conservatives having a minority government and low support from the opposition parties. Harper had demonstrated he is capable of manipulating his opponents to achieve his goals, and McDonald seems to have done some good journalism to demonstrate that Harper's goals are largely hidden. The last election and recent polls show his party is also gaining support from religious conservatives across other faiths—which is a growing population in Canada.

[bearfinch.livejournal.com]

From memory, the only Prime Ministers who didn't have hidden agendas or an ability to manipulate their opponents were Joe Clarke, John Turner, and Kim Campbell. It's part of the skills set that goes with keeping a leadership position.

Please let me emphasize that I don't like Harper and I'm not defending him, or his policies. I just think that there are forces socially and politically that have the power to counterbalance what he may try to do.

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

i'm very sorry to learn of this.

>"If you love Canada because it is a gentler, more tolerant neighbour to the United States,"

yes, that's been exactly my feeling about canada. i hope people do wake up to the dangers of this new kind of politics.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

So do I. It's not new, really, just un-Canadian as far as I'm concerned.

[smileyfish.livejournal.com]

It's not just Canada either. The same kinds of voices are getting louder over here as well. Very concerning.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

But it is happening very quietly here. Many Canadians are proud of our secular society and unaware of any movement to change it. We would do well to pay attention to what is happening elsewhere and lose our arrogant notion that it can't happen here.

[inishglora.livejournal.com]

I've been alert for some time to much of what you describe going on here in the US, but people likewise do not want to hear about it or look too deeply, and that's what allows it to flourish, IMO. Personally, the idea of a bunch of Christian-Zionist pinheads presuming that their fanatical interpretation of some religious gibberish is the way it should be for us all, just makes my blood boil. I wish we could ship them off to some desolate planet and leave them to their disaster dreams.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I'm concerned because some Canadians believe it can't happen here. In the past our conservative politicians tended to be fiscally conservative but socially progressive. Unfortunately that is not so much the case anymore.

[nzbear5.livejournal.com]

Canada and Canadians tollerance and social concience has always been one of the many appealing things that seperates them from their neighbours across the border. Long may this continue.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I hope so!