Two hours after I left the hospice, my friend was dead. We had talked about fears, read Psalm 23, and sang 10,000 Reasons. The hovering nurses smiled as I left. It seemed so peaceful. And sudden. At times I wondered if this hospice had fallen prey to the push to merge palliative care with MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying). A July 2019 article from the Association for … [Read more...] about The push to merge palliative care with MAiD
Culture
Culture defines the way we live; our beliefs, social interactions, institutions and political structures.
No to Conversion Therapy?
The tsunami of individualism set in motion by the tectonic shifts in our courts has launched another wave onto the shores of our faith. Or has it? Does the growing ban on conversion therapy across our country deal a blow to the church’s practice of discipleship or is this another tempest in a teapot? The massive writing campaign from Christians aimed at MPs is attempting to … [Read more...] about No to Conversion Therapy?
No more pain and suffering
St. Francis said it best: “It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” So said the notice. Dave and his family agreed with doctors that 11 am would be the end. At 11 am, there would be no more smelling of roses or perfume; no more hearing of bird song, symphonies and children’s laughter; no more rainbows or sunsets; no more hugs, kisses, tears or memories. The thing … [Read more...] about No more pain and suffering
Christians and cannabis
What do Christians do with cannabis now that we can’t say it’s illegal anymore? A CBC survey says that 55 percent of Canadians aren’t ready for this even though we already have the highest rates of cannabis usage in the world. What would a survey of our churches say? For medical or for recreational usage? Flourishing and questioning Christians who flourish in confusing … [Read more...] about Christians and cannabis
Secularism and education
In the 2018 Supreme Court decision regarding Trinity Western University vs differing law societies, dissenting Justices Cote and Brown noted in paragraph 332 that “Properly understood, secularism connotes pluralism and respect for diversity, not the suppression of full participation in society by imposing a forced choice between conformity with a single majoritarian norm and … [Read more...] about Secularism and education