I've posted here before about the rise of Christian extremism (let's call it what it is: Christofascism) and the consequences for our democratic society. Although it's more prevalent in the United States, we're now seeing more signs of it here in Canada.
The CBC has published a long and disturbing article detailing some of the organizations and people involved in spreading this twisted version of Christianity.
Liberty Coalition Canada, a conservative Christian advocacy group, is trying to raise $1.3 million to recruit hundreds of Christian politicians and campaign staff to run at all levels of government.
In a document marked "please keep classified" that was obtained by CBC News, the group says its ultimate goal is "the most powerful political disruption in Canadian history."
Working alongside Liberty Coalition Canada are dozens of churches across the country, a number of small media outlets and at least one well-funded think-tank.
While theological and political differences exist among them, many supporters of this movement share a vocal opposition to LGBTQ rights and other social justice causes.
Several Canadian pastors in the movement also have ties to a controversial branch of evangelical Christianity in the U.S. known as reconstructionism.
Scholars say reconstructionist ideals — often linked to Christian nationalism, the idea that the United States is a Christian country — are influencing how some Canadian evangelicals are responding to issues like legalized abortion, same-sex marriage and added protections for gender minorities.
Although hardly fundamentalist, the York Region Catholic school board recently voted against flying the Pride flag at its schools to celebrate Pride month, mirroring the anti-LGBTQ hate being spewed by more radical groups. This has happened in other communities and is a disturbing trend.
Canadians looking at social trends in our southern neighbour often take the attitude, "Well, it can't happen here." Unfortunately, it already is.
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