In this episode of "Try to Control Your Shock and Amazement, Eh?"...
Given the continuing rush of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) to Marxism, and the parallel nonsense occurring in our neighbor to the north, it's "almost" tantamount to two groups of spoiled, clueless brats constantly trying to outdo each other.
And in both cases, moral, God-fearing, and objective people usually end up paying the price.
This is one such case.
Canada's leftist government has apparently concluded that the Almighty is simply too controversial for military — and other formal —ceremonies.
A new policy, issued last Wednesday, instructs the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to sideline traditional religious observances — including references to God — and replace them with what can only be described as government-approved spiritual psychobabble: "spiritual reflections."
Because, hey — if there's one thing troops have been desperately missing, it's a carefully-sanitized, bureaucracy-tested narrative on "meaning and purpose." You know; because no one knows better than the Left.
The shameful policy defines these "spiritual reflections" as inclusive public addresses intended to foster resilience, purpose, and spiritual well-being while promoting a "culture of care and service."
Translation:
Out with centuries-old references to God; in with consultant-crafted, HR-approved, everyone-gets-a-participation-trophy spirituality that offends no one, inspires few, and somehow still manages to require an official government definition.
Canadian Armed Forces acting chaplain general Shaun Yaskiw told Canada's National Post that the goal of the new guidance is to ensure that those present at such events feel that their beliefs are valued, including atheists. (By dishonoring the beliefs of Christians and Jews, that is.)
"It’s not our intention to restrict religious belief. In fact, as a chaplain, it is my professional responsibility to be able to see and respect the full expression of spiritual and religious beliefs of those who come to me."
The chaplain went on to explain that the new policy explains that spiritual reflections do not use religious-specific language, “including references to God.” Instead, he suggested:
"They reflect upon lessons learned, beliefs, values, and experiences to inspire gratitude, remembrance, hope, and integrity."
Uh-huh. Translation:
Of course, by singling out God, because Christians and Jews specifically refer to "God," while other religions worship other gods, or no god at all — which we don't have a problem with, but have to be careful and nebulous in our new policy.
Nonsense.
Incidentally, the chaplain failed to mention "one group," specifically. Guess which one. (We'll get there in a bit.)
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The hubris of, in some cases, non-believers believing they can exclude God — even from funerals — is mind-numbing, yet here they (soon, "we"?) are.
More background:
Where religious observances have been requested, chaplains must instead offer these spiritual reflections. This includes at military parades, graduations, change of command ceremonies, ribbon cuttings and honours [sic] and awards ceremonies, among others.
[...]
This means that CAF members making public remarks or delivering an address are not allowed to use words, actions, or symbols specific to a particular religion, according to the new guidance.
[...]
The new guidance applies to all CAF members — including volunteers, students, casual workers and contractors — as well as those providing spiritual or religious services in support of the military.
Chaplain Yaskiw further explained (irrationally rationalized):
"I want my words to touch the hearts of those who have gathered and to be meaningful to them. But I also have an obligation, as a representative of the Canadian Forces, to be neutral and not privilege one set of religious beliefs over another. It’s about finding a balance between the two."
Again, nonsense. It's about not offending non-Christians.
Erasing references to God from official ceremonies doesn't make government neutral; it simply replaces a centuries-old tradition with a state-approved secular alternative. The answer to religious diversity isn't removing religious expression from public life; it should be about accommodating different beliefs while respecting the nation's history and heritage, rather than "outlawing" the expressions of those who follow God.
Besides, government-crafted "spiritual reflections" isn't inclusivity — it's censorship wrapped in HR language. How "progressive."
Wait — I almost forgot a salient question:
So what happens when Muslims shout "Subhanallah" (Glory be to Allah), "Alhamdulillah" (All praise is due to Allah), or "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the greatest) at official ceremonies honoring Muslims or Islam?
Hmmm.
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