Canada

A Canadian judge last week exonerated a former pastor who was charged of committing a hate crime for sending a letter to a local newspaper criticizing homosexuality.

Judge E.C. Wilson overturned a 2008 ruling by the Alberta Human Rights Commission that ordered former Alberta pastor Stephen Boissoin to stop all public criticisms of homosexuality and to pay the plaintiff $5,000 in damages, according to The Canadian Press.

Wilson ruled on Friday that the 2002 letter, which carried the headline “Homosexual agenda wicked,” was not a hate crime but is permissible under freedom of speech. more >>

Acclaimed singer and songwriter Kelita Haverland will perform Saturday at a Christmas benefit concert that will help victims of the sex trade.

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Haverland has a passion to help children who are sold to brothels and suffer abuse. She has already raised $120,000 to fight the sex trade in Cambodia. This Christmas, she wants to raise $70,000.

"Most young girls play with dolls, ride bikes and go to school," said the Christian artist and five-time Juno Award nominee. "In Cambodia, 100,000 children as young as three define their childhood as sexual slavery. Innocent children are sexually molested and raped, serving grown men several times in a single day. This is an assault on their dignity, freedom and safety, and we can all do something about it." more >>

Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops in Vancouver have expressed concerns that human trafficking may cast a shadow over the winter Olympics taking place in the city and Canadian ski resort Whistler next year.

At a recent dialogue held in Vancouver, the bishops described the February 2010 Games as a “celebration of human development through sport” but also expressed their intention to stand together in opposing the “social ill of human trafficking.”

They said in a joint statement: “Our churches rejoice in the unity and respect that the Olympics signifies to the world. more >>

The American Psychological Association (APA) adopted a resolution Wednesday advising mental health professionals to avoid telling clients that they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments.

The "Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts" also advises that parents, guardians, young people and their families avoid sexual orientation treatments that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder and instead seek psychotherapy, social support and educational services "that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth."

"Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation," said Dr. Judith M. Glassgold, chair of the task force behind a newly released report that examined the efficacy of reparative therapy, or sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE). more >>

A splinter group in Canada has been approved as a diocese in an emerging body of orthodox Anglicans in North America.

The Anglican Network in Canada – a group of Anglican parishes that broke from the Anglican Church of Canada over theological differences – is now one of 28 dioceses in a province that is still in formation.

Last week, Canadian and U.S. Anglican leaders who severed ties with The Episcopal Church – the U.S. arm of Anglicanism – and the Anglican Church of Canada announced the approval of applications for 28 dioceses and dioceses-in-formation as part of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). more >>

Canadians who believe in God dropped 13 percent within a nine year time span, between 2000 and 2009, according to a new survey.

The number of Canadian believers in God is 71 percent, down from 84 percent in 2000, a survey conducted by Ipsos Reid from March 31 to April 2 found, reported Canwest News Service.

Among males, the number of those believing in God dropped from 86 percent to 63 percent over the time period, while among women the decrease was less dramatic - from 82 percent to 79 percent. more >>