Magazine cleared of 'bigotry,' now facing 2nd hearing

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Magazine cleared of 'bigotry,' now facing 2nd hearing
Homosexual activist alleges reports on 'gay' issues are discriminatory

Posted: August 16, 2008
1:00 am Eastern

WorldNetDaily

A Christian publication already cleared by the Canadian Human Rights Commission on claims its reporting on issues involving homosexuality stem from "bigotry, discrimination and hate" will have to defend itself – again – from the same charges.

Officials with Catholic Insight have confirmed homosexual activist Rob Wells, whose earlier allegations against the publication were rejected, has appealed to the Federal Court in Canada.

"On Aug. 12, Toronto-based Catholic Insight and its editor Father Alphonse de Valk received notification that Wells had filed an appeal … with the Federal Court of Canada. Wells is requesting that the appeal be heard in Edmonton," the magazine said in an announcement.

It had been only a month earlier that the Canadian Human Rights Commission notified Catholic lnsight the charges of "bigotry, discrimination and hate" raised by Wells had been dismissed.

The reason given was that Catholic Insight's reporting was determined not "likely to expose a person or persons to hatred or contempt based on sexual orientation."

"Catholic Insight and its editor will be required to defend themselves in yet another proceeding. We will be obliged, once again, to engage more of our time and finances to defend against what can be seen as harassment by a person or persons unhappy with Catholic Insight's editorial stance in opposition to same-sex 'marriage' and the resulting drive for equality of the homosexual lifestyle in schools and elsewhere. It is frankly astonishing that more Canadians do not recognize the negative impact such complainants have on what should be the expression of ideas in our current culture," the magazine said in its announcement.

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"We are forced, once more, to appeal to the generosity of our supporters for assistance," the magazine said.

De Valk, the editor, said earlier, "It is chilling to think that a publication can be hauled before a government tribunal simply for reporting to interested citizens developments in these [homosexual rights] areas of controversy."

WND reported earlier on the Canadian procedures that give human rights commissions virtually unlimited power to "hear" allegations of "hate crimes" and issue orders in those cases.

Already, a Knights of Columbus council was fined more than $1,000 for refusing to allow its facility to be used for a lesbian "wedding," and before that printer Scott Brockie was fined $5,000 for declining to print homosexual-themed stationery. In another case Hugh Owens was fined thousands of dollars for quoting Bible verses in a newspaper and London, Ontario, mayor Diane Haskett was fined $10,000 for refusing to proclaim a homosexual pride day.

Officials noted the United States is not immune to such cases, either, after a New Mexico photographer was fined $6,600 for refusing to meet the demands of a lesbian to take pictures at a "wedding."

Canada Family Action Coalition has blamed the situation on "bastardized courts" because activists who claim "hurt feelings" are demanding and getting penalties imposed against those who oppose homosexuality.

Wells has alleged he was offended by the Catholic Insight. Its editor, de Valk, said the claims are unfounded and the publication simply follows the teaching of the Catholic Church on homosexuality.

Catholic Insight reported that Wells' attack on the publication is not his first. In 2006 he tried to close down several websites including concernedchristians.ca because of their Christian content, and he targeted Ron Gray and the Christian Heritage party because the political entity posted articles "motivated by hate" of homosexuals.

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