For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for March 13, 2014

Elly, I have a feeling you are going to enjoy your Puppetry Workshop unlike the Reverend… ;)

Canada can teach the US something here about the correct relationship between government and religion. From a US citizen.

How, I am amazed that you could feel the need to launch into a monologue about Canadian government to explain a joke – and then conclude with a lame joke of your own.The minister needs funding for a program. Elly is attending a workshop for the children’s library programs.What needs explanation?I mean, even I can understand it, when I’m half asleep at 1:40 am.Say goodnight, Howthe…

I, for one, thank you for your insights. I am in India and you North Americans confuse me ;)

I’m a little astonished that you feel the name to explain governmental affairs. Even if you aren’t cognizant of Canadian ways, assuming the general public must be spoonfed is a tad condescending. I’m sure you don’t mean it that way, but it does come off as such.

Well, you see, the Constitution established the mechanisms of government, including how the Constitution itself would be interpreted. That institution is the Supreme Court of the United States. So, by definition, the Constitution means what the Supreme Court says it means. Therefore, you are mistaken. When you get your appointment to the Supreme Court, perhaps you will get to say. But since, like most people who argue with Supreme Court decisions, you have no real knowledge of the history of the issue, I doubt you will be so appointed.

Almost all children’s librarians use puppetry as part of their storytelling.

You said: The US Constitution only states that it " shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…". This means there will be no state-run religion in this country and nothing more.Very true. But the second half of the clause is also very important:“or interfering with the free exercise thereof.”

Ahhhh are some of you jumping to he conclusion that the grant has anything to do with going to the church? There are any number of other causes it could be not administrated by the church.

Lay off Howtheduck, if you are not interested in what he has to say, don’t read it. I live in Canada and I am not aware of this stuff though I’ve lived here for nearly 5 1/2 years. Thanks for this information Howtheduck.

Actually, our constitution never mentions anything about keeping church and state separate. It simply says that government may not establish an “official” church.

For those who want to change the subject, Lynn’s notes are rather great:

Because they are, in essence, public speakers, I find ministers and priests to be engaging conversationalists — and unless I broach the subject, they rarely talk about religion.

And it’s true – a good friend is an Anglican priest and he talks wonderfully about just about anything.

will japedo be there?

We may not have a de facto church of the state, but just try to live in Utah or any of the Southern states(and most of the rest), and try to sleep in of the Sabbath. If you own a business, you will be shunned – in many cases your children will have no playmates(unless, of course they attend the youth group.You may not be of the predominate church, but you must belong to an accepted church to get along.

-US citizens tends to be only interested in where they live -Your opinion of the rest of us in the US (other than yourself) constantly amazes me. Why would so many US citizens donate time as well as food, clothes and money to charities that take care of those in other countries, if we were all only interested in the place where we live?-Why would so many volunteer to work with groups like Doctors Without Borders?-There are millions of US citizens who have relatives in other countries,and they remain concerned about both those relatives and those countries. Each time there is a natural disaster somewhere in the world, the US and its citizens step up to help.

Govt grant for religious institution? hmmm

Part of my job working for local governments involves working with nongovernmental groups that provide services. (Meals on Wheels, for example.) Among those groups are groups affiliated with religious organizations. -There are many federal, state and local grants for which nongovernmental groups can apply, and that includes groups that are affiliated with religious organizations.

Ceeg22: Catholics don’t own the word or reversed collars. Orthodox, Coptic, Anglican, and even their offshoot Methodists have priests, although the latter use it only to distinguish from ordained deacons. It comes from the Greek presbyter, meaning elder, so that would drag in Presbyterians, although of little relevance in Canada since 1925 when Methodists, Presbyterians, and Congregationalists merged to form the United Church of Canada, which is the largest Protestant group in Canada.

-There are so many different types of grants, there is no one application. I am on email lists to receive information about grants from both federal and private sources, and then pass info along to many of our community groups (such as the Meals on Wheels organization, as well as many of the faith groups participating in providing temporary shelter and training for homeless families.)-Some of the state and federal funding agencies will hold webinars to provide more information, but most don’t hold meetings anymore to explain grant application processes.-Interestingly, there are members of congressional and state legislative staff who help applicants get information on how to organize their grants (emphasize the right project) in order to make the grant line up more with the intent of the program. -And there are still folks who travel to visit their member of Congress or Senator, to plead in person for help with a grant.

-no state-run religion in this country -To someone who follows a religion that is always in the minority, or prefers not to follow a religion, these words are vitally important and remain the reason why many continue to seek refuge here. There are still many countries where you can be killed because you don’t worship the way a particular ruling king or party does….

How pathetic you are!!!!!

Good way to look at things Show him your night gown Ellie he will love that.

All this political nonsense! Can’t 2 folks have innocent banter in a plane (passing the time) without so much analysis?

I always try to have a conversation in the plane or airport, unless I’m fortunate to have brought a really good book.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..” = The U.S. government is banned from sanctioning an official church. They are also prohibited from using tax money to pay for any place of worship. In addition, the US government is not allowed to impose compulsory church attendance laws.“…Or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” = The U.S. government is not authorized to license houses of worship. Nor are they permitted to interfere with how people worship. Neither police, soldiers, or any government agents are authorized to storm into a house of worship because the government does not like what is preached.

this turned out to be a polemic about religion, yet Lynn, in her notes pointed out that she enjoyed talking to clergy, since they never talked to her about religion… anyway, the strip had was all about the punch line, and that’s it.

It is amazing how little so many United States citizens know about Canada. A few years ago, I was watching a TV quiz show (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?) where the contestants were unaware that Lake Ontario is in Canada. On another show (Jeopardy), the answer was, “this province was explored by George Vancouver.” Nobody knew that the question was, “what is British Columbia?”