Pluralism

Faith commitments – each person’s deepest commitments, whether formally religious in nature or not – shape how we interact with our neighbours. CPJ believes that differing faith communities and convictions should be acknowledged as key elements of how individuals and communities can best contribute to the common good and live together as neighbours. This inclusive view of pluralism acknowledges the reality that Canada is a unique community of diverse faith and value communities, communities which have equal rights and responsibilities in the public sphere. Learning how to live out this pluralism is crucial to the common good.

The debate over religious pluralism in Quebec

By Gregory Baum | Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Gregory Baum describes The Debate Over Religious Pluralism in Quebec, offering several reasons why the debate has differed in Quebec and the rest of Canada. Read more »

Drinking Downstream

By Mike Hogeterp | Monday, January 4th, 2010

In the fall of 2009, Canada’s Governor General hosted an opening ceremony for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on Indian Residential Schools. Canadian churches, with or without a heritage of Residential schools, all people of faith, and all people in Canada are implicated the legacy of the Residential schools. As the Prime Minister’s apology (June 11, 2008) implies, the Residential Schools and the assimilation policies behind them, are a shameful part of the history of this nation. That apology is our apology. If the words of apology and new relationship are to mean something they demand action – and the TRC is a significant first step in that direction. Read more »

Faith and Diversity in the Public Realm: An Ongoing Dialogue

By Mariel Angus | Monday, November 3rd, 2008

How can the rights of religious groups to live out their beliefs be respected while also ensuring protection for individual rights? What is the place of faith in public life? How do we accommodate diversity while still maintaining common values? Some of these questions were addressed last Tuesday, October 28th, when CPJ hosted a lecture by Dr. Jonathan Chaplin at the Institute for Christian Studies (ICS) in Toronto. Read more »

Equality and Diversity: Which is trump?

By Kathy Vandergrift | Friday, June 20th, 2008

Kathy Vandergrift’s review of Uneasy Partners: Multiculturalism and Rights in Canada by Janice Gross-Stein, et al. Read more »

Rebuilding a commitment to Diversity in Community

By Harry Kits | Monday, January 14th, 2008

Image: Welcome the Stranger Canada’s diversity is becoming more complicated, and this rising diversity brings challenges around social integration, pluralism and identity. Recent public debates on diversity represent deeper issues of how Canadians can live together. As responsible citizens, we must respectfully engage in dialogue about common policies, using this dialogue to shape a politics of hopeful citizenship. Read more »

Stories of Remarkable women from Christian, Jewish and Muslim Traditions

By Donna Stewart | Monday, May 28th, 2007

Donna Stewart's review of Stories of the Desert: Stories of Remarkable women from Christian, Jewish and Muslim Traditions by Claire Rudolf Murphy, Meghan Nuttall Sayres, Mary Cronk Farrell, Sarah Conover and Betsy Wharton. Read more »

Meeting Our Multifaith Neighbours

By Javed Akbar | Monday, May 28th, 2007

Javed Akbar's review of Meeting Our Multifaith Neighbours by Brice H. Balmer. Read more »

CPJ's contribution to public life

Friday, July 29th, 2005

CPJ's uniqueness is characterized by its ability to play a vital role in the debate around the fundamental direction of our society. Our contribution includes not simply developing and promoting policy alternatives, but more specifically doing so in the context of the core values and principles which shape society and public policy. This unique approach enables us to speak to, and dialogue with, a broad cross-section of Canadian society. Read more »