tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222065172626712190.post1838924524986709749..comments2024-03-09T05:13:08.154-05:00Comments on What in the World?: Canada's Office of Religious Freedom finally unveiledAdrian Hellemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12611563345804489187noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222065172626712190.post-10967574553666971012013-02-22T08:32:04.221-05:002013-02-22T08:32:04.221-05:00Thanks for your comments, Terry. I agree with your...Thanks for your comments, Terry. I agree with your observation about moderate Muslims. I would suggest that Bennett appoint a Muslim to work closely with him, and not just as a secretary. I too hope that this office will be able to do some good, and I pray that it may yet be a blessing. Adrian Hellemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12611563345804489187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222065172626712190.post-14785070062552444012013-02-21T21:51:48.709-05:002013-02-21T21:51:48.709-05:00You make many good observations Adrian. My own rea...You make many good observations Adrian. My own reaction to the announcement in the mosque, however, was a bit different. The fact is that Christians are the most persecuted group around the world today, and a great deal of that comes from people acting in the name of Islam. I know that Muslims also suffer at the hands of Muslims of different groups, of course. My most positive conclusion about it was that the support of moderate Muslims for religious freedom for all, within Islamic majority contexts, would be a very constructive thing, and perhaps announcing the appointment on their turf was a good place to foster that. <br /><br />I confess that I am not hopeful that protection of religious freedom will trump the pursuit of personal economic interests. This has certainly been true in the U.S., some of whose major allies are some of the most religiously oppressive regimes in the world. <br /><br />Nonetheless, I want to hope for good to come out of this new office, and the promotion of genuine shalom, for all.Terry Tiessenhttp://thoughtstheological.comnoreply@blogger.com