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My faith, my community—a dialogue

February 9th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on My faith, my community—a dialogue)

While various religions may hold differing attitudes toward worldliness, they still have obligations to their neighbours

The Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society will host an  interfaith bridging dialogue called “My Faith, My Community: Taking Action Together” on February 18, 2012. The dialogue is based on the fact that while religions may have a differing attitude to worldliness, they also have obligations towards neighbours. They need to do more to be proactive—to give to the community. The event brings diverse people together for a facilitated exchange around issues of social justice and civil engagement from the point of view of their faith. (more…)

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Bible school child abuse alleged

November 24th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Bible school child abuse alleged)

Linda Fossen says that she, and over eighty other children, suffered extreme abuse at Canada’s oldest Bible school

Linda Fossen, a former student at the Prairie Bible Institute near Three Hills, Alberta, has alleged that she and dozens of other children were abused by PBI staff from the 1950s to as recently as five years ago. The explosive claim made headlines in Canada and abroad.

Linda first wrote about her experiences of abuse and recovery in a book called “Out of the Miry Clay” in 2008 and she shares her past and present experiences online. She reports that the victims of the abuses are too terrified to speak out about them. Linda also writes that some of the people who support the Bible college have lashed out against her, praying against her as a so-called “enemy of God”. Linda has established an on-line petition related to the allegations. (more…)

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Rebroadcast: Struggle for inclusion continues

November 17th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Rebroadcast: Struggle for inclusion continues)

David Weekley’s “journey in from the wilderness” continues as he and others face institutional efforts to exclude them

Rev. David Weekley stepped into the pulpit of the Epworth United Methodist Church in Portland, Oregon in 2009 to share his story as a transgender person for the first time. After he spoke, the congregation burst into applause. Earlier this year, David shared his experiences in a book called “In from the Wilderness.”

David is a transgender man and an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church  who quietly served his congregations for twenty-eight years before sharing his full personal story and spiritual journey with his congregation, denomination, and the world. But the struggle for inclusion of transgender people continues, as the United Methodist Church prepares for a debate about “compatibility” with Christianity. (more…)

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Preserving restorative justice

September 29th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Preserving restorative justice)

Advocates fear the federal government’s strong emphasis on incarceration and punishment will push healing to the side

The federal government’s emphasis on incarceration and punishment in response to crime has created concern that restorative justice approaches are being pushed to the background. The government describes restorative justice as “one way to respond to a criminal act” but a former federal ombudsman for victims of crime says “In reality, there’s no interest from this government (in restorative justice).” What does this mean for the future of restorative justice in Canada?

We speak with three people who have experienced—and studied—restorative justice. (more…)

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A world without hate

August 4th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on A world without hate)

Rais Bhuiyan forgave the man who tried to kill him in a hate crime, then campaigned to save him from the death penalty

Ten days after the September 11th attacks in the U.S., Texan Mark Stroman entered the gas station where Rais Bhuiyan was working, asked “Where are you from?” and then shot him in the face.  Rais, who is from Bangladesh, was one of three victims shot during Stroman’s revenge attacks on “Arabs,” and the only one to survive.

Rais Bhuiyan went on to forgive Mark Stroman for trying to kill him, and to campaign vigorously—and internationally—for Stroman’s sentence to be commuted from death, to life without parole. Mark Stroman was executed in Texas on July 20th, 2011. (more…)

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Unique, soul-stirring, entrancing

July 14th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Unique, soul-stirring, entrancing)

Eric Harper’s musical journey began in Portugal, continued in Europe and L.A. and then led to Vancouver Island

Award-winning musician and performer Eric Harper’s musical education began in Portugal and then continued in Europe and the U.S. He has performed all over the world in many countries including Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, France, China, Israel, the U.S. and Canada. He recently appeared at a fundraiser for the nonprofit Columbian Centre Society, joining several other performers in support of programs for people experiencing mental illness. (more…)

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