Leaving God Behind

by Michael Wagner

Leaving God Behind: The Charter of Rights and Canada's Official Rejection of Christianity

All countries have a religious foundation, and all law is based on a worldview or religious perspective. For Canada, the religious foundation was Christianity. Among the most explicitly Christian components of Canadian legislation were the Lord’s Day Act adopted in 1906 and the requirement for teaching Christianity in Ontario’s public schools, which was strengthened in 1944. The adoption of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982 amounted to a wholesale change in Canada’s constitutional and legal foundation. There is no such thing as neutrality. With the Charter of Rights, Christianity was cast aside and Secular Humanism became the ultimate basis of Canada’s constitution. Law and public policy have been radically amended in the intervening years to conform to this new – and alien – religious system.

148 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Benjamin J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wagner provides a concise history of the role of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the de-christianization of Canadian law and institutions. According to Wagner, rights and freedoms in the pre-Charter age were founded on the informally - but unquestionably - Christian foundations of the Canadian state. While the de-christianization of our nation was well under way with the advent of the Charter in 1982, our new constitution became the mechanism by which all expressly Christian values were eviscerated from our institutions. From Sunday laws to prayer in schools to the sexual revolution and definition of marriage - the Charter superseded Biblical ideals and norms in Canadian law and society. Wagner notes also however, that notwithstanding the Charter’s role in supplanting our Christian foundations, were it to be redrafted now, we would likely be faced with something far worse. He concludes with an exhortation for the church to take Christian education seriously, in order that our children be prepared to carry reformation and revival into the next generation of Canadian law and society.

[GDSD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. It was very interesting, and extremely informative. I so appreciated all the research, the quotes, and the logical and rational arguments that were presented. It was an excellent read, and easy enough for the non-academic type like myself to follow all the way through.

[Eldon Siemens · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book, really brings to light what the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms really is, it's purpose and what it has done to Canada. apparently we really are little more than the 51st state...

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very worthwhile recap of how our rights were taken by Pierre Trudeau.