Sunday, March 23, 2008

Government orders ministry to shut down (or not)

Oh dear! The fainting couches are piled high with the passed-out bodies of WingNut Daily staff as they swoon, pearls a-clutch and panties a-twist: the Canadian government has ordered a Christian ministry to shut down! It's LeftardoAntiChristoAtheofacsism of the highest order! It's... SHRIEEEEEK!:
"The Canadian government has ordered a Christian ministry that teaches doctrine and the differences between Christians and cults shut down because its reference materials were "critical" of the beliefs of those who are not Christian, WND has learned.

So what used to be called MacGregor Ministries with offerings in how to recognize and eliminate "faulty fads" in Christian churches has been re-created in the United States, and now operates under the name MM Outreach Media Ministries.

Lorri MacGregor, who has dedicated her life to explaining the straight and narrow of Christian beliefs since she found her way out of the Jehovah's Witness system years ago, told WND Canada's version of a "hate crimes" law prevented their work from continuing as it had for nearly 30 years.

"Canada is no longer a Christian nation," she said. "And watch out America!""

What's that smell!? Is that the stench of religious persecution? Or is it just good old high-octane bullshit? The backstory, if you please:

"The issue of the ministry's charities license in Canada, allowing it to operate as a ministry, came up during a routine audit of the ministry's finances, which was uneventful."

But they're just spreading the Good Word like every other ministry, don't they deserve the same perks as everyone else? What could possibly have gone wrong?

"She said the ministry points out the differences between Christianity and various cult beliefs, but also with respect, and never as a proponent. She said the work always is in response to a question or issue." [...]

The scales have fallen and suddenly it all becomes clear: this ministry isn't being forced to shut down, it's being asked to cease and desist its vicious criticism of other religions, or lose its tax break. And the ministry is saying that rather than comply, it's taking its bat and ball and going home.

"...They wanted us every time we criticized something to say, 'So Christianity is equal to Buddhism, Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses… Just decide for yourself.'"

"We cannot do that," she said of the work she and her husband, Keith, have spent their lives assembling." [...]

"For example, the ministry addresses the issue of "fads," including a "creeping Eastern mysticism" appearing in some churches, "turning meaningful prayer meetings into mind-emptying rituals called contemplative prayer promising experiences of a spiritual nature."

"Feelings have often replaced the solid word of God," the website warns.

It looks like this merry band of proselytizing assholes isn't spreading The Word or talking about the Bible or the usual things these ministries do -- it's whole purpose is to denigrate other religions, for which it wants help from Joe Taxpayer. And Joe Taxpayer is calling Bullshit, and I say "Boo friggin' hoo".

Just goes to show, you can never take a WingNut Daily headline at face value, especially when they're crying persecution. There's always more to the story.