I
wish all of you, my readers, a most blessed and prosperous New Year 2015. This would be a fitting time to reflect with
you on issues of time and hope for this world as well as the promise in the
Bible for a New Heaven and a New Earth in which righteous dwells. There is a great
deal to say around this topic that would be worth your while. Furthermore, it
is a topic that interests me deeply.
But
sorry, I had had a topic waiting in the wings that is pushing me hard. In fact, it was written some time ago, and has been pressing me
every since. The topic? The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) and its
legal struggles. But, first, an
introduction is needed.
The
Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) is the major voice of
Evangelical Canadians. This is a group
situated between the so-called mainstream more liberal churches and the more
fundamentalist ones. One day I will
explain more about these various Christian streams, but today I deal with the
EFC.
Evangelicals
in Canada
have long neglected social and cultural issues, while they emphasized the
spiritual side of the religion. Over the past few decades, they have become
more worldly in that they pay more attention to social issues, especially on
freedom of religion and family issues. To me, they still restrict themselves far
too much, but more about that some other time as well. What I want to emphasize
today is their role in the defence of freedom of religion in the courts.
I
do so by passing on to you an interview in Canada
Watch, an EFC bimonthly four-pager. This one is from the December 2014
issue. I did some editing of the document.
EFC
lawyer Albertos Polizogopoulos was asked “What
it’s like to be a voice for the Biblical influence, impact and identity in Canada’s
highest courts.” He answered:
We bring the evangelical… perspective on these issues to the
courts. It’s an important perspective to put forward on cases involving freedom
of religion, sanctity of life, the family and so on. In the cases I’ve been
involved in, the EFC consistently argues for religious freedom.
Question: The
EFC has intervened in Canadian courts more than 50 times. How is the EFC
received in court?
We are usually well received. We are welcomed because the
perspective we bring is unique. It’s intelligent and it’s based on biblical
perspectives. We are generally well respected by the courts. They don’t always
agree with us of course, but we take an approach that is not overly aggressive
or judgmental. And the courts appreciate that.
In some cases, judges disagree with us totally; in other
cases, they latch on to the arguments and the perspective we put forward—and
you really see that resonate throughout their written judgement. In terms of a
national voice, there is no other Christian group with such a wide-ranging constituency
and with the experience that the EFC has. We’ve been doing this for 30 years.
Tell us about the preparation that goes
into each appearance and submission.
It’s a going over the lower court decisions—going over the
evidence, doing research of the law and the issues being argued by the parties,
drafting the materials for the case and preparing orgal arguments. It’s more
than most people would imagine.
Do you practice your presentations?
I prepare a script. I usually don’t take the script into court
with me because I don’t want to be reading it. The preparation of the oral
argument is also to anticipate questions you might receive and be prepared to
answer them. ((In the one case) I had four or five questions. So I spoke for 15
minutes. Usually when they are asking questions, it’s because they are
interested. It’s a good sign.
The EFC is often described as “the voice of
biblical principles in the public square.” What does having that voice mean to
Evangelicals?
It’s a blessing, a responsibility and a privilege. Although
I’m the one on my feet, there are other lawyers and people within the EFC who
have played a big role. If someone donated money to the EFC for an intervention
to help pay the cost, or someone gave advice, or raised awareness, or wrote letters,
or prayed, they are part of it.
How does it feel to know there is this huge
body of EFC supporters thinking about you and praying for the EFC when you
appear in court?
It brings about a sense of peace, comfort and confidence.
When I’m in court…, I have my wife praying for me. When you have a team of
thousands praying for you, it instills a lot of confidence.
What are the most important things donours
can do to support the work of the EFC in the courts?
In addition to donating—which is absolutely necessary—prayer
is an important tool of ours. Apart from that, they can research and learn
about these issues and understand what’s at stake. They can read the arguments
and perspectives we are putting forward. The more informed we all are, the more
we will see the need to get involved, the more we will support.
Here is a comment from Bruce Clemenger, the
EFC President:
I have stood with Polizogopoulos and other EFC lawyers in the
Supreme Court of Canada as they boldly promoted biblical principles of truth, compassion,
mercy and wisdom on all our behalf. I am so glad to hear Albertos share…how
much the EFC is respect. That has been my own experience time and time again.
We are listened to, not laughed at. We are dialogued with, not dismissed. We
offer invaluable perspective to the courts, and the courts acknowledge and
appreciate. When defining religious freedom…, this is what Polizogopoulos
said…: “Freedom of religion insures individuals are able to practice their
faith without fear of hindrance or reprisal or without any state interference.”
Thanks, Albertos.
You can visit www.theEFC.ca for updates on the cases in which EFC is
involved. There is also www.theEFC.ca/calendar
to find out about events across Canada.
This not only brings you up to snuff with respect to the EFC itself, but,
perhaps more important, this access can serve to increase your awareness of
where freedom in Canada is being seriously threatened and where some of the
most respected and honoured organizations in the country practice
discrimination against minority opinions.
Most of the stuff in the last sentence occurs behind the scenes in
expensive offices and by expensive officers of the law. It’s time this stuff goes public so that the
public can begin to resist.
Still another benefit is that you can even post your own event online for
free. Now that’s a worthwhile offer!
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