Canada

Atheist campaigner Christopher Hitchens and former British prime minister Tony Blair went head to head Friday in an anticipated debate about whether religion is a force for good in the world.

Blair, a convert to Catholicism, argued that while religion can be destructive, "it can also create a deep well of compassion, and frequently does."

"It is undoubtedly true that people commit horrific acts of evil in the name of religion," he said. "It is also undoubtedly true that people do acts of extraordinary common good inspired by religion." more >>

A Canadian student pro-life club may disappear from campus after the governing student association ruled its pro-life constitution discriminates against pro-choice beliefs.

Carleton University’s Student Association has given pro-life club Carleton Lifeline an ultimatum: Change your constitution to embrace pro-choice values by Thursday or lose your certification as a campus club.

“It is ironic that they support choice and do not see that they not having an abortion is a choice,” Ruth Lobo, a student of the Ottawa school and president of Carleton Lifeline, told the National Post. more >>

A bishop within the Anglican Church of Canada will begin granting permission to a limited number of parishes to bless same-gender unions.

The Archbishop of Toronto, the Most Rev. Colin Johnson, issued pastoral guidelines this week to accommodate those in "stable committed same gender relationships" seeking a blessing of their commitment.

The guidelines, he acknowledged, will not be welcomed by all, with some opposing it and others feeling it is not nearly enough. But he stressed that those who disagree with same-gender blessings and those in favor of it are both recognized and affirmed in the diocese. more >>

Evangelist Franklin Graham concluded his monthlong Rock the River evangelistic tour on Saturday with more than 8,000 youths in Western Canada.

The Edmonton event saw 332 decisions for Christ.

"There's nothing more refreshing and amazing as you're sitting on stage after you play your set and see kids come down," said Jason Dunn, lead vocalist of the Christian pop/punk band Hawk Nelson. "They're coming to the front and they're giving their lives to Christ. That's an amazing thing. It'll never get old. I get chills just thinking about it." more >>

Nearly 8,000 young Canadians attended a one-day evangelistic event Saturday, which kicked off Franklin Graham’s month-long Western Canada tour.

Despite the rain, attendees came to hear Graham’s no-nonsense Gospel message and to enjoy hours of “high-voltage” Christian music at Millennium Park in Fraser Valley, British Columbia. At the end of the day, 466 young Canadians accepted Christ or recommitted their lives to Him, according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

“Everything today has been really touching,” said attendee Carleigh, 19, according to BGEA. “It’s been one of the most moving experiences for me.” more >>

Ahead of the G8 meeting in Canada this weekend, religious leaders from diverse faiths and countries issued a statement on Wednesday calling for the fulfillment of the U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals.

Some 80 senior leaders representing nine different faiths – Christian, Aboriginal, Bahai, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Shinto, and Sikh – and hailing from more than 20 countries urged political leaders to fulfill the MDGs.

They pointed out that the MDGs will approach the two-thirds deadline this September. more >>