Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good
On December 9, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights of the Canadian House of Commons approved the removal of the “good faith religious belief defense” clause in Section 319(3) of the Criminal Code during its review of federal Bill C-9, known as the “anti-hate law.” Christian and religious organizations expressed concern that this move could weaken legal protections for religious expression.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) stated that there was debate within the committee over whether the Bible and other religious texts could be considered hate speech. It emphasized that the defense clause is essential for protecting minority religions and warned that its removal raises serious concerns. The Jewish community also voiced worries about the rise of antisemitism and pointed out problems with the amendment.
The revision was led by the Bloc Québécois, a secularist party from Quebec, along with the Liberal Party. The committee stated that even good-faith expressions on religious topics would no longer be protected. As committee review is nearing completion, the bill will be sent to the House of Commons and the Senate for further debate. The EFC explained that the deleted clause was not originally part of the bill, but was removed after persistent demands from the Bloc Québécois, to which the Liberal Party agreed. It was also reported that this agreement was made without approval from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Evangelical groups, anticipating that the amendment will ultimately become law, have launched strong opposition efforts. Through meetings with committee members and written submissions, the EFC emphasized that “the defense clause is a critical safeguard for religious expression, and its removal could place denominations, organizations, educational institutions, and churches at risk.”
David Guretzki, president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, explained that the good-faith religious belief defense is one of four defenses against charges of promoting hatred under the Criminal Code, that it has been used very rarely in practice, and that there have been no cases of abuse. He added that “this clause does not protect criminal conduct by religious individuals, but applies only in cases involving intentional promotion of hatred.”
The association also stressed that “courts do not permit religious expression to be used as a vehicle for spreading hateful messages,” and that the defense clause serves to protect expressions made in good faith or with sincere belief.
Meanwhile, the association pointed out that Bill C-9 broadens the definition of “hatred” beyond existing case law, making the standard vague, and removes the requirement for approval from the attorney general to prosecute hate crimes, increasing the risk of misuse. Accordingly, in its written submission to the committee, the association strongly urged that the proposal to remove the religious belief defense be rejected. (Source: Christian Today, Edited Version)
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.(3 John 1:11,NIV)
God, as the Canadian Parliament reviews the anti-hate law and removes provisions that once protected religious expression, we ask for Your help. Correct the leaders who have rejected You and lost clear standards of good and evil. Through churches that speak the truth and pray faithfully, turn this nation away from injustice that stands against You. May Canada reject what is evil and become a country that honors and protects Christ and His people through sincere faith and righteous living, boasting only in the cross.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
