American Influence in Canada Okay -- Provided It Endorses Homosexual 'Marriage'
by Chad Groening
February 14, 2005
(AgapePress) - A Canadian pro-family activist says it's hypocritical for homosexual activists in his country to complain about traditional marriage proponents from America trying to influence the same-sex "marriage" debate in Canada.
Recently the Quebec Coalition for Same-Sex Civil Marriage told the Globe and Mail newspaper that Canadian opponents to the same-sex marriage bill are already effectively stating their case and that there is no need for Americans to get involved. But Brian Rushfeldt of the Canada Family Action Coalition believes the homosexual forces are not telling the whole truth.
"We've got the homosexual community [in Canada] already saying [that Dr. James] Dobson from Focus on the Family and the Knights of Columbus are bringing money and expertise into Canada to fight on this issue," he says, "but they certainly didn't mention the fact that they're getting [cash and in-kind] donations ... themselves to fight this argument."
Rushfeldt points out one particular example his group has brought to light. An American-owned Canadian theater company has been running advertisements in its movie houses that promote same-sex marriage. "Famous Players Canada actually is owned by [U.S.-based] Viacom, so here we have a U.S. company ... which is, in essence, running this kind of advertising in Canada." (See related story)
According to the Canadian family advocate, two dynamics are likely behind the homosexual activists' anger toward American lobbying efforts. He describes one of those as a "general anti-American attitude."
"America stands for liberty and freedom and justice and truth and righteousness, and that doesn't enter into the humanist thought-pattern up here," he says. And the other, says Rushfeldt, relates to President Bush's public support for traditional marriage. "I believe they are fearful that what they see as the 'negative' American influence ... might actually influence the thinking in Canada," he says.
Chad Groening, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
