Directives to military chaplains urge expunging God, religion from Remembrance Day, public ceremonies

[The Bread Guy]

Administered two neighbouring communities and the defining feature of the two, despite literally being cousins growing up in the same houses was they were catholic in this community and they were “spiritual” in the other community. They did not like them overlapping. They did everything together and all represented the same band- but the beliefs were the beliefs.

It opened my eyes to there not being a one sized response to the “nation to nation” concept etc, it is very true- pacific vs plains etc.

As well as Plains Cree vs. Swampy (James Bay) Cree - not so many fiddlers among the Plains Cree

Doesn’t even need wide geography for it. Can be neighbours. As such….you aren’t doing anything for the group by confusing some folks for each other as a display of respect for customs.

For sure. In one case, if memory serves, one reserve on one side of a river in Ontario is Catholic, the other Protestant.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Having an organization that represents the Govt change to promote events that used to be suppressed seems like a correction of policy no?

Sure. I'm just not interested in participating. And I'm glad I have that freedom to say no thanks.

 

[Furniture]

I mean id prefer it not be a part of the parade at all frankly. However there's context with indigenous cultural practices being suppressed for a large chunk of Canada's history so its not exactly tit for tat.

It's a fair point that their culture has been suppressed by official policy for a long time, and I'm glad that it's no longer the case. My only issue is the double standard being applied.

I'd rather see all religion/spiritualism dropped from parades/events, and for parades like Remembrance Day just leave it a moment of solemn reflection. We definitely don't need a padre to lead a spiritual chat before we eat at Mess Dinners...

 

[markppcli]

It's a fair point that their culture has been suppressed by official policy for a long time, and I'm glad that it's no longer the case. My only issue is the double standard being applied.

I'd rather see all religion/spiritualism dropped from parades/events, and for parades like Remembrance Day just leave it a moment of solemn reflection. We definitely don't need a padre to lead a spiritual chat before we eat at Mess Dinners...

Thats my point where its not quite tit for tat.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Thats my point where its not quite tit for tat.

My question about no harm no foul was that you didn't face any repercussions for not participating ?

 

[daftandbarmy]

As usual, prayer tends to become more popular the closer we get to the part where the bodies start piling up...

A Time for Prayer, Rudyard Kipling...

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Usually it was something like this:

Pray to the deity of your faith .

With me somedays it’s Thor, or Odin and on mischievous days Loki.
I’m Mostly Jedi though. Just not like Star Wars Jedi…

You can call me Reverend Jones. An ordained priest in the religion of Dudeism.

 

[RangerRay]

My experience in Wainwright:

Pl WO: “Today we will be going to Church Parade this morning. All are strongly encouraged to attend. But if you are a godless atheist, you can stay here at the shacks with MCpl Bloggins and he will give you some tasks here.”

Needless to say only a couple of hardest core atheists stayed MCpl Bloggins. Most of us went for cookies and juice with the Padre.

 

[dapaterson]

Reminiscent of April 27th 1913 in Halifax:

The RCR in Halifax

 

[daftandbarmy]

My experience in Wainwright:

Pl WO: “Today we will be going to Church Parade this morning. All are strongly encouraged to attend. But if you are a godless atheist, you can stay here at the shacks with MCpl Bloggins and he will give you some tasks here.”

Needless to say only a couple of hardest core atheists stayed MCpl Bloggins. Most of us went for cookies and juice with the Padre.

I used to go to the RC service one Sunday, the C of E service the next, and then shopping on the 3rd Sunday.

On the 3rd day they all thought I was at either one or the other, of course

FWIW, the food was better at the RC service. They must know that a hungry pilgrim harvests no souls ...

 

[Sprinting Thistle]

I knew a couple of young subalterns who used to go to Church every Sunday in Petawawa. I asked them why they went to church since they were avowed atheists. Their response: "best place to meet single women."

 

[lenaitch]

I personally enjoy FN ceremonies quite a bit but think them being used in CAF events writ large is shallow land- acknowledgement stuff.

Except if you at a smudging ceremony in a small enclosed space and your allergies kick in and your eyes start to water.(to be completely ecumenical, I've been in the front row during a Catholic mass and the 'incense' got to me). Or performing site security for several hours listening to a series of drum circles at close range. Some have decent tone - many do not.

For sure. In one case, if memory serves, one reserve on one side of a river in Ontario is Catholic, the other Protestant.

We policed at least one FNT in n/w Ontario that was physically divided into the 'RC' side and Anglican side.

 

[dapaterson]

We policed at least one FNT in n/w Ontario that was physically divided into the 'RC' side and Anglican side.

Sort of like this?

 

[lenaitch]

Sort of like this?

Ha. I never looked at it that way. Perhaps we were policing a bunch of Irish exclaves and didn't know it; although many of the European surnames were Scottish because of the HBC influence.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Ha. I never looked at it that way. Perhaps we were policing a bunch of Irish exclaves and didn't know it; although many of the European surnames were Scottish because of the HBC influence.

Probably HBC vs. NWC back in the day

 

[The Bread Guy]

Ha. I never looked at it that way. Perhaps we were policing a bunch of Irish exclaves and didn't know it; although many of the European surnames were Scottish because of the HBC influence.

Don't know about the Irish getting that far north, but funny how the James Bay Cree fiddling sorta-kinda "rhymes" with some you hear in the Orkney's right?

 

[SeaKingTacco]

I knew a couple of young subalterns who used to go to Church every Sunday in Petawawa. I asked them why they went to church since they were avowed atheists. Their response: "best place to meet single women."

That totally tracks.

 

[lenaitch]

Don't know about the Irish getting that far north, but funny how the James Bay Cree fiddling sorta-kinda "rhymes" with some you hear in the Orkney's right?

Could be. In the almost 3 years I spent up there, I never heard it.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I disagree. Its very eye opening if you ever get a chance to work with the Kiwis to see how they've integrated Maori customs into their own ceremonial events. Ie grad parades end in a Haka. They are less Maori more New Zealand customs. One could argue that FN customs are Canadian customs so performing them appropriate practice to call back to that would be appropriate.

I don't know much about the Maori and New Zealand. What I've parsed online (quickly) points to Maori culture being a more developed institutional framework. More of a national identity.

In Canada it feels more like a gesture.

My question about no harm no foul was that you didn't face any repercussions for not participating ?

I'll believe it if someone here says so. I remember 2 Field Amb canceling soldiers leave so they can attend a brigade change of command parade. One dude had to drive back from either Newfoundland or New Brunswick just to sit in the stands because he end up an odd man out. We're pretty crazy about parafe attendance.

(to be completely ecumenical, I've been in the front row during a Catholic mass and the 'incense' got to me).

The stuff they use to ward off evil spirits? Interesting.

 

[lenaitch]

he stuff they use to ward off evil spirits? Interesting.

Beats me of its purpose - I'm not Catholic - but it gave me a headache.