Popular Religions are Not Considered a Positive Contribution to Canada

Evangelical Protestants, Catholic and Muslims are not considered net contributors to the good of Canada according to a new survey. All three need a new public relations consultant. 

Christians here on my blog like to refer to hospitals and schools started by denominations. In this country there are lots of them. There are hospitals and schools in countries that are not Christian, however, so it seems a hollow claim they would not exist here were it not for Christian denominations. The argument society owes thanks does not prevail in Canada. 

Most branches of Christianity could have retained their favorable rating in the public if they had just stayed with holding church services and opening hospitals and schools. Instead, they have drawn attention from good works by performing bad works. They got into politics and started pushing their religion on people who wanted to leave it behind. In Canada surveys show the majority don't give Christian groups credit for much good. It could be people don't know about good works. If they don't know it's because the faith stepped on its own message by diving into politics.

I think our history, maybe all histories in the world, is one where groups started out doing good things and were seen as well meaning. But, so often factions of the groups wanted more power over society and stepped out of their lane. Certainly, that has happened in recent decades in the U.S. where some branches of the faith commit violence against abortion doctors and clinic buildings, discriminate against gays and dive headfirst into conservative politics. 

This week there was a column on a Christian site about high school students starting a Satanist Club in their school. A Christian man from the town expressed his disgust because he wanted to attend their meetings, hear what was said and, I'm sure, tell them off. His anger came from the school's security policy that would not allow him in. He had no children in the school. I pointed out Satan clubs were allowed because Christian clubs were allowed. This had never occurred to him. His is not a prototype of every Christian but the loud ones are like him. 

Such Christians are a net loss of good over bad.