A $36,000 Microwave?

Ms. Telfer ran a small business, and employed an immigrant lady, who, like other employees, warmed her lunch in the company microwave. However, complaints arose about the noxious smell that permeated the premises from her selected menu.

She complained to the human rights tribunal who found she had been “adversely affected,” and ordered Ms. Telfer to pay $36,000 in compensation. She ran a small federally-assisted business helping immigrants. She had no money, so lawyers began the process of seizing her house to pay the penalties.

Ms. Telfer made an application for a judicial review of the decision, and fortunately, the courts were speedier than the tribunal. A judge immediately ordered a stop to the seizure. Ms. Telfer’s house was saved, but only after much distress on her part.

The incident so incensed Rex Murphy, he took the ruling to task in his inimitable way at: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/02/05/rex-murphy-human-rights-meets-its-match-the-microwave-oven/#ixzz1E2N5FDdI

As Rex pointed out, it’s not hard to see that the consequences flowing from the penalty was itself the real violation of human rights. I believe most Canadians are exasperated at the way human rights tribunals ride roughshod over the very rights they are supposed to ensure.

Because those biased against Christianity and its claims mostly operate the tribunals, Christians are often targets of these kangaroo courts, or denied complaints they wish to bring. The restoration of some basic justice is long overdue if we wish to maintain the freedom of our beliefs.

 

The current human rights legislation authorizes the tribunals that sidestep the most elementary forms of justice required for due process. The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) is in the forefront of seeking overhaul of this legislation. Please support them in their endeavour; we may be the ones who are saved by their efforts.

Check their websites at: http://arpacanada.ca/ and http://humanrightscommissions.ca/

Chooing to Die?

Wael Gholeim was held blindfolded for twelve days during the recent Egyptian uprising. He was one who lived to tell his story; at least 300 died at the hands of the security forces during that time.

While in custody, this young man didn’t know whether he would live or die, but claims he was ready to die if necessary. He was not alone in this; many of the protesters spoke of their willingness to die for the cause.

Commentators have reported that the cause was effective because the populace lost their fear of the police who were brutally used to subjugate the people for thirty years. Death had become a tolerable alternative to the conditions under which the majority lived.

But Islamist terrorists have proved there are many who are prepared to die for their cause, even when their living conditions are comfortable. Those who no longer fear death are a formidable enemy, and faith motivated behaviour is the hardest to change.

Are we Christians prepared to die for our faith? That may seem an unlikely scenario, but willingness to die for Him measures our willingness to live for Him. After all, living for Him is harder than dying for Him, it is a daily sacrifice—and a living sacrifice can crawl off the altar.

How seriously are we attached to our possessions and living style? Both adversity and prosperity may insulate us from God. Suffering suggests that God has abandoned us, while prosperity may fool us into thinking we don’t need God (Proverbs 30:8–9).

Is the comfortable life prosperity has given us is too much to lose? Would we be willing to give it all up for Him, if not in death, in life significantly reduced of its benefits?