But in a country where tolerance and acceptance of all religions and faiths and conscience no longer an issue, we even get offended when somebody of different faith and beliefs than ours will take advantage of an occasion not for the purpose.
In private parties or gatrherings, you have to respect the host’s religion or belief as a guest. And to tell those who are not in agreement with yours to shut their ears and close their eyes as a way of exercising their freedom is not acceptable in even one of the most progressive Democracies of the World, the Netherlands and certainly will not be acceptable to us Canadians, but instead the issue is to be discussed, debated and argued in a healthy and acceptable manner.

i live in Europe (Nederland) for more than 20 years now and i might say, Nederland is a land where 90% are non-believers & the 10% are composed of multi-believers.I guess less than 5% are Christians.But i had never been attacked or criticized for showing or exercising my faith.

At the front door of my home, is an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus & Mary.And I would say,my house is the only one in the neighborhood of thousands that displayed such.But nobody ever hassle me for that,except asking me what for religious congregation I belong.I simply said ,”I am a Catholic.”
I am working in one of Nederland’s biggest oil refiniry & as I park my car everyday in the company’s BIG parking area ,it is the only with a hanging crucifix in the front view mirror among hundreds of cars and no one ever bother me about it,except one asking WHAT FOR ? which I simply answered, “for my protection”.
Catholic prayers are said at house parties or whenever there is social gatherings held in public areas, where non-believers & non-Christian believers are present.When we celebrate Philippine’s independence day abroad,we offer prayers,while holding it in a very huge public place where prominent non-believers are around.But there never is a comment made about “our Catholic prayers” in the morning newspaper.Respect & tolerance of individual differences are observed abroad as well as the freedom of exercising our religion or not having one at all.

My point is… in a land where 90% are Christian believers,in a social gathering,is having an invocation prayer with just a very little Christian flavor in it already a big offense ? I don’t say why it has become discriminating for those who do not believed , when it is carefully delivered.It was not done with malice instead in a humurous way.And i agree with Fr.Stephen, being a Catholic priest, he has to invoke in a Catholic way.As for those who are non-believers, you could have shut out your ears for a few minutes so as not to hear the prayer.That is your way of exercising your freedom…not to listen!

All I can say to you is I respect your opinion. Peace, brother!

Someone who is being discriminated against would likely not react in a “in a constructive, fraternal way”. If one were to do that, it will just be diluted in the sea of rhetoric that the hegemonic majority wields. through a fiery rebuttal, many people rallied around what should and shouldn’t be done. hurtful or not, it got people talking and for some reason, a huge chunk ended up agreeing in principle with me (despite the misgivings about the manner of delivery). That’s the undeniable truth.

I put everything on the line and stood up for what I believed in a showed that I would not compromise my convictions especially when they are under fire from those who chose to be presumptuous in an obviously secular event.