Christian Politician Gets Standing Ovation in Canadian Parliament After Sharing Gospel in Middle of Meeting
It's not often that a politician airing Christian views gets a warm applause in Canada, a country where secularization is reportedly on the rise.
Last week, however, Christian MP Ted Falk received a standing ovation after he shared the gospel in the Canadian Parliament, the Christian Institute reported.
In his speech, Falk focused on how Judeo-Christian values have shaped the country, saying that these values are the reason why there is freedom of religion and freedom to express one's faith in Canada.
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"Freedom of religion is the cornerstone of democratic societies," he said.
He also reminded his fellow lawmakers that this weekend Christians all over the world will celebrate Easter, the time when "God's love ran red, and he sent his only Son to be crucified to pay the price for our sins."
"The really good news is: The cross couldn't hold him, the tomb is empty, we serve a living Savior, and he's coming back again," he said.
He concluded by wishing the Speaker, the House and all Canadians a "happy and blessed Easter."
This was not the first time that Falk has articulated his Christian views in parliament. He previously spoke against a measure allowing assisted suicide, saying he believes in the sanctity of life "from conception to natural death."
He has also supported the call to protect the freedom of conscience of doctors who do not wish to perform physician-assisted suicide.
Last year, he refused to join his colleagues in attending a Gay Pride march due to his Christian beliefs.
A 2013 Pew Research Center analysis showed that more Canadians belong to minority faiths than ever before.
Although two-thirds of Canadians identify either as Catholic or as Protestant, both Christian groups have seen substantial erosion in their shares of the Canadian public, according to the Pew study.
However, a new study showed that Canadians are actually much less hostile toward religion than declining church attendances might suggest, Radio Canada International reported.
In fact, only about one-fifth of Canadians could be described as "not religious at all," said Shachi Kurl, executive director of the Angus Reid Institute, which conducted the study.
Canadians "may be turning away from organized religion but they are still claiming in varying degrees a strong connection to faith," Kurl said.
