Catholic Civil Rights League Letter to The Province

Vancouver  Province Runs  Kempling Article and Invites Responses on the Issue.

BC School Counsellor Found "Guilty" after Objecting to Pro-Homosexuality Agenda  including  
                            Chris Kempling's appeal

BC Parents and Teachers for Life Letter to Education Minister Regarding the Kempling Case, Teachers' Rights, and the BCCT

How to Contribute Financially to Chris Kempling's Legal Defence

A Letter from Chris Kempling Dated June 10, 2002

A Message' and Teachers' Rights Denied

Teachers' Rights To Moral Protest Threatened

Appeals Court Reasserts Rights of People of Faith

What Choices Do Parents Have?

The Escalating Attack on Parents' Rights:  The Connectedness of Things

We hope that not only his fellow-Christians, but all who retain a love for our basic freedoms, will respond to Chris's appeal in the letter immediately below:
A Letter from Chris Kempling 
on the Latest BC College of Teachers Action Against Him

February 5, 2008

Friends:

I regret to inform you that the BC College of Teachers has again cited me for conduct unbecoming a teacher, in a letter dated January 28, 2008. They have cited me for participating in a CBC radio interview where I quoted the Bible saying that homosexual behaviour is a barrier to salvation, for contributing an essay discussing the philosophical differences between social liberals and social conservatives (published in the Calgary Herald on December 29, 2003), for publishing a scholarly article in a German family journal on the topic of homosexuality, for offering orientation change therapy as part of my private counselling practice and mentioning this in a radio interview, and, incredibly, for "knowing" that an article written by Christian Heritage Party leader Ron Gray in support of me was posted on the party's website. They also cited me for being "the local representative of the Christian Heritage Party". This is certainly true as I was the candidate for the CHP, Canada's sixth largest registered political party, in the last federal election in the Cariboo-Prince George riding (I came 5th out of 8 candidates.) All of the items listed occurred between February, 2003 and April, 2005.

The last time I checked, we had freedom of speech and freedom of religion in Canada, and the right to join the political party of our choice. It appears to me that these rights are in jeopardy, as the BC College of Teachers has threatened to withdraw my license to teach, despite the fact that there were no complaints registered with the College as a result of any of the items they listed. I am currently working in the Quesnel school district, am abiding by my letter of direction, and have been told by my principal that he has no concerns about my conduct or my job performance, which includes working professionally with students of all orientations.

This is extremely distressing for me and my family, and I would welcome your prayers. It appears that I may have to ask those who care about freedom to help me defend myself again. The registered trust fund is called the:

Christian Public School Teachers' Legal Defense Fund, c/o Mr. Jim Sagert, Trustee, 798 Beaubien Avenue, Quesnel, BC V2J 1A6.

Letters of acknowledgement will be issued, but, as it is not a charity, there can be no tax receipts.

I am not afraid to face them but please do not leave me like Uriah to face the enemy alone. I take comfort in the words of our Lord: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven..."

I am happy, because I know my Christian brothers and sisters will stand with me as I face this trial yet again.

Dr. Chris Kempling Psy.D. R.C.C.

Quesnel, BC

TORONTO, January 2, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The news in early December that Mark Steyn and Macleans Magazine are the subject of a complaint to the B.C. and federal Human Rights Commissions because of an article the magazine published, excerpted from Mr. Steyn's book "America Alone", is a higher-profile example of an ongoing pattern in the use of human rights' commissions to penalize the expression of unpopular opinions, says the Catholic League in a press release. 

The League is concerned about the disturbing trend, since it often involves opinions based on religious beliefs. In several cases, some of which has seen the League participate as an intervenor, attempts have been made to characterize scriptural passages as hate literature. While these commissions and their tribunals have generally been sympathetic to complaints of "offended feelings" brought by homosexual rights activists, those brought by Christians seeking support for their right to freedom of religion or religious expression have been less successful.

In fact, in two recent cases people applying to human rights commissions to have their religious rights respected in freedom of speech issues have received a poor response from the human rights commissions. One has been refused and there have been strong indications of disinterest on the other.

Susan Comstock and Dave MacDonald sought to have their union dues diverted to charitable organizations in protest of the union's use of their dues for political activism and anti-Catholic activity. In refusing, the commission noted in Mrs. Comstock's case that "no prohibited ground of discrimination was established."

David McDonald advised LifeSiteNews today that his case has not been dropped but the Canadian Human Rights Commission has still not communicated its final decision to him. An official with the commission left a Nov. 22 telephone message indicating the commission would not take the case because it involved religion and they lacked jurisdiction to hear religion cases. MacDonald was told he would receive a written report sent out the next day. However, he states he immediately sent a letter to the commission and has not yet received the promised written report or any other communications.

The League believes that the continued incursion of human rights' commissions in matters of peaceable free speech will have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. "When someone's words are disagreeable or contentious, the normal give-and-take of human discourse should be all the regulation that peaceable free speech requires," says the League.

The League provided a list of recent cases where human rights tribunal were used to quash or attempt to quash free speech:  [bold-facing by editor of this BCPTL website]

- As noted above, Mark Steyn and Maclean's magazine for the publisher's reprinting of a chapter of Steyn's book "America Alone," Complaint brought in November by the Canadian Islamic Congress, which said the article subjects Canadian Muslims to discrimination, hatred and contempt.

- Ron Gray, leader of the CHP, brought before the Ontario and Canadian HRCs by Edmonton activist Rob Wells for an article on the party's website critical of homosexual conduct. Among other things, Mr. Gray was told by a HRC mediator that "freedom of expression is an American concept."

- Catholic Insight magazine is the subject of a complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission due to material on its website critical of homosexual conduct. The passages of articles in question were written in the context of speaking out against the activists who agitated for adding so-called sexual orientation to the Hate Crimes Act in 2003, and the legalization of same-sex "marriage" in 2005.

- Steven Boissoin, a Christian pastor who faces punishment by the Alberta Human Rights Commission for a letter published in the Red Deer Advocate. (Case brought by University of Calgary professor Darren Lund.) The judge claimed a "circumstantial causal connection" could be made between the letter and an attack on a homosexual teenager in that city.

- John Di Cecco, a Kamloops, BC city councilor, fined $1,000 for by the BC Human Rights Tribunal when a complaint was brought in response to comments he made about homosexual conduct.

- Knights of Columbus of Port Coquitlam, BC, fined by the BC Human Rights Tribunal in December, 2005 for how they handled their refusal of the use of their hall for a lesbian "wedding" reception.

- Bishop Fred Henry in 2005 was on the receiving end of a human rights complaint for articulating the Church's teachings on same-sex marriage in a pastoral letter. (The complaint was later withdrawn after a meeting with the complainants, and substantial expense.)

- In 2002, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission ordered the Saskatoon Star Phoenix and Hugh Owens to each pay $1,500 to three complainants because of the publication of an advertisement that quoted Bible verses on homosexuality. Four years later, this was overturned by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal after the court ruled that the message, though offensive, didn't reach the level of inciting hatred. The League was part of an intervention to protest the labeling of Scriptural passages as hate speech.

- Bill Whatcott, charged with spreading hate against homosexual persons for the distribution of material objecting to an advertisement that ran in Saskatchewan's largest newspaper for homosexuals, Perceptions, seeking boys for activities that specifically mentioned that their age was "….not so relevant".  The material distributed by Mr. Whatcott also objected to material promoting "gay" culture and beliefs entering into the Saskatoon Public School System and the University of Saskatchewan. The appeal by Mr. Whatcott to the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench from his conviction and fine of $17,500.00 by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal was denied by the Judgment of Mr. Justice F. Kovatch in a decision received on December 11, 2007.

- In British Columbia, Chris Kempling, a teacher at a public high school, was cited in May 2001 for professional misconduct by the BC College of Teachers (BCCT) for letters published in a local newspaper. As punishment he was suspended from teaching for one month. He appealed his suspension all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which finally refused to hear the appeal in 2006.

When some CBC interviews in 2004 became the basis for a formal reprimand by the Quesnel School District, Kempling complained to the BC Human Rights Tribunal on the grounds that his religious freedom was being infringed, a complaint that the Tribunal rejected in November 2005.

- In 1999, Toronto printer Scott Brockie was ordered by the Ontario commission to pay a gay activist group $5,000 for refusing to print their letterhead.

"The League has refrained from making hate speech complaints to any courts or commissions, even though some of the anti-Catholic content we address, and the remarks directed at us in the course of our work, could certainly be described as demeaning if not downright hateful," said the League. "In our view, the importance of free speech supersedes whether we agree with what others are saying. That is why we have supported people in their right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression, particularly religious expression, in various court and tribunal cases. When we protest anti-Catholic defamation in the media, we do so pointedly, but we have never once said that such content should be illegal. Our hope, rather, is that a spirit of true dialogue will help make defamation rare."

Precedent-Setting Ruling Reinstates Canadian Pro-Life Activist’s Nursing License, Cancels Fine

By Hilary White

REGINA, January 18, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A Saskatchewan Court of Appeals has ruled that the suspension of a pro-life protester’s nursing license by the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN) was unconstitutional.

In 2002, Bill Whatcott, a licensed practical nurse, participated in a protest outside the Regina Planned Parenthood offices. The Association judged Whatcott’s protest to have constituted “professional misconduct” and suspended his nursing license and fined him $15,000.

Whatcott admitted in a court hearing to having carried signs with pictures of foetuses and captions saying “Planned Parenthood Aborts Babies” and “Planned Parenthood refers for abortions," "God's gift of life" and “choice is abortion”. Whatcott lost his initial case at the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench and his appeal was later dismissed.

Court documents in the appeal note that the SALPN disciplinary committee did not address constitutional issues of Whatcott’s freedom of expression. Whatcott’s appeal was upheld by the court that said the case raised “constitutional law issues pertaining to freedom of expression”.

The ruling said, “The Discipline Committee did not engage in any of the balancing necessary to weigh Mr. Whatcott’s right to work, the high standards to which nurses must aspire and free speech. Given the existence of the interim injunction and the means to enforce it, one would not think the Discipline Committee’s decision was a proportionate response.”

The justices wrote that SALPN had failed to demonstrate that the restriction on Whatcott’s freedom of expression was reasonable “and the decision is thus unconstitutional.”

Whatcott praised the court decision, not only on his own behalf, but because it sets a precedent for other health care professionals who conscientiously object to abortion.

He wrote, “Christians and other moral Canadians, Dentists, Teachers, Doctors, Lawyers as well as Nurses can reference my case if they are bullied by their professional organizations as a result of a stand they take on a moral issue during their time off work.”

The ruling can be viewed online .

Ohio Teacher Doesn't Have to Pay Dues to NEA

Groups' Representatives Draw Up Statement of Principles in Response to the Corren Settlement Agreement in British Columbia
On September 23rd (2006), representatives from a number of groups, including British Columbia Parents and Teachers for Life, agreed to a "A Statement of Principles of Fairness for Students and Parents and of How They Can be Used to Remedy the Injustices of the Corren Settlement Agreement."  Among the other groups whose representatives agreed to the statement were REAL Women of British Columbia, Christian Social Fellowship, Catholic Civil Rights League, and Christian Coalition.  Below we give the whole "Statement,"  including the four general principles, together with supporting citations and and bv a list showing how the principles "can be used to remedv the inequity of the Corren Settlement Agreement." 

A Statement of Principles of Fairness for Students and Parents and of

How They Can be Used to Remedy the Injustices of the Corren

Settlement Agreement

Principles

1. We affirm our common desire to see established within the schools of British Columbia an atmosphere in which harassment or abusive conduct directed at any student is not acceptable, regardless of their actual or apparent association or identification with any group.

2. Access to the means of influencing the development of curriculum for all subjects in British Columbia public schools should be open to all citizens without discrimination.  No special rights of access or influence should be given to particular private citizens or groups.

3. Parents have the right to educate children in conformity with their moral and religious convictions. Public schools must be transparent and accountable to parents about what is taught to students. Teaching materials should be open to examination by parents, and particular care should be taken that parents are directly advised, well in advance, when sexuality or other controversial or sensitive topics are to be discussed.

4. Nothing in the curriculum or practice of British Columbia public schools should denigrate the legally protected moral and religious beliefs of parents and children.

How the above principles can be used to remedv the inequity of the Corren Settlement Agreement

Preamble: Because it unfairly gives privileged procedural access to Peter Corren and Murray Corren, the Corren Settlement Agreement has created a dangerous precedent in the curriculum review process. We ask for recognition of the 'prior right’ of parents to choose the kind of education their children receive. We request that the Minister extend full consultation to parents and other stakeholders.

I. New Internal Review Guidelines for the development of IRPs ("Integrated Resource Packages") must be drawn up with input from all interested parties, as identified in the Charter Article 15 (1).

2. Similarly, input from all interested parties should be welcomed in finalizing each IRP.

3. The Social Justice 12 Course provided for in Section 3 of the Corren Settlement Agreement should be balanced with respect to Charter Article 15 (1) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

4. Delivery guidelines to assist teachers in delivering the Kindergarten to Grade Twelve curriculum should be developed openly with recognition given to the prior right of parents to choose the kind of education their children receive.

5. Parents of students should be permitted to make arrangements for Alternative Delivery of sensitive topics in a manner that respects the individual needs and interests of their children.

6. Any further changes in matters covered in the Corren Settlement should arrived at by a regular democratic process in a manner authorized by the legislature and subject to alteration by that body.

7. The Ministry of Education should send a letter to the parties named in the Corren Settlement Agreement (Section IB) affirming the prior right of parents and stating  policy of openness in the development of curriculum.

¹  UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights  -- Article 26

In the United States:
Parents to Rally in Support of Jailed Massachusetts Father    
 9/4/2005
From an article by Robert Knight

Lexington Green, where Massachusetts colonists confronted the British in the opening battle of the American Revolution, will be the site for a rally to support a father who was arrested for questioning pro-homosexual materials at his children’s school.

Slated from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, the rally will feature David Parker and his wife Tonia.

David Parker was arrested on April 27 at Joseph Estabrook Elementary School in Lexington after refusing to leave when school officials declined to show him materials related to the promotion of homosexuality in the school. He had been alerted to the school’s materials when his child brought home some books, one of which celebrates “gay parenting.”

Massachusetts state law mandates notifying parents before discussing issues of human sexuality in the classroom.

In the wake of the British Columbia Supreme Court's ruling against him, Dr. Kempling has appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada, which may or may not agree to hear the case.  In addition to the other persecution he has faced, Chris Kempling is now facing discipline for his testimony before a parliamentary committee.

Chris Kempling Update—September 15, 2005

In my . . . update in April, I related that I had been suspended for three months without pay for writing a letter to the editor opposing same sex marriage.  I have now served the suspension and am back teaching (after working as a dump truck driver in the summer to make ends meet).  Unfortunately, my struggle continues.  In early June, the BC Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the College of Teachers, saying that although there was no evidence of harm or disruption to the school system, it was appropriate for the College of Teachers to discipline me for expressing my opinion off the job in letters to the editor.  For this reason I have appealed the Court of Appeal’s decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.  My new lawyer, David Brown of Stikeman Elliott in Toronto, filed leave to appeal on September 9^th.  It is not known when the Supreme Court will make a decision on whether or not to hear the case—they only hear 15% of the cases referred to them.  If they choose not to hear it, I have will have to serve another one month’s suspension, and pay my opponents prior legal costs of over $23,000.  My lawyer has told me I have to pay their costs now, even if the Supreme Court chooses to hear the case.  This will deplete my legal defense fund entirely, leaving me without funds to proceed with the Supreme Court case or the Human Rights Tribunal case.  My lawyer feels that at least $50,000 will be needed for that, and a similar amount for the Human Rights case.

Note:  Chris's lawyer has informed him that he thinks the Supreme Court of Canada will make a decision by late January or early February on whether to hear his case, and that if they accept it, it will be 2007 before the case is heard.

My Human Rights Tribunal case against the Quesnel School Board for religious discrimination is still on-going.  I was disciplined for speaking with a CBC radio reporter about the orientation change services of my private Christian counseling practice.  They provided no evidence that anyone was concerned about this interview—they feel it is acceptable to prevent me from telling people that orientation change is possible.  I made it clear that most of my clients would be Christians, who know that acting on same sex attraction is sinful behaviour, and thus are more motivated to seek professional assistance.  I am currently providing treatment to a Christian client for this purpose, so I find it entirely unacceptable for my school district employer to interfere with a service offered by a Christian counselor to Christian people.  I was to have had a two day hearing in October, but my lawyer feels it will take 7-10 days and involve over a dozen witnesses.  A new date has yet to be scheduled.

 I’m hoping my employer will acknowledge that official witnesses of Parliament have special protection from harassment.

There is some good news to report, however.  Rev. Tristan Emmanuel of Equipping Christians for the Public Square held a fund-raising banquet for me in June in Hamilton, Ontario and presented me with a cheque for $18,000.  I have already given the entire amount to Mr. Brown as a down payment for the Supreme Court appeal.  God has supplied all my needs up to now—I’m just going to keep trusting Him for what it is still needed.  I’m very grateful for all of you who have generously given so far.  I would appreciate your prayers as I face the upcoming struggles.  Jesus warned us that we would face persecution for standing up for him.  He was right.
Note:  Chris Kempling sent us an addition to the above update.   In it he informed us that his lawyer told him that he thought the Supreme Court of Canada would make a decision by late January or early February on whether to hear his case, and that if they accepted it, it would be 2007 before the case was heard.

"Growing Support for Alberta Pastor Facing Human Rights Hearing Over Letters Against Homosexuality"

CALGARY, Alberta, September 14, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The case against Stephen Boissoin, a young Alberta pastor facing an Alberta Human Rights tribunal over letters he wrote on the issue of homosexuality, has received widespread publicity which is generating a growing wave of support for the Christian pastor, even from homosexuals.

In an interview with LifeSiteNews.com last night Boissoin revealed that he has received a barrage of phone calls from the US and Canada since the publication of the Sept. 2nd LifeSiteNews.com story on his case. A US organization is even seriously considering funding his legal defense.

All afternoon yesterday Boissoin sat with three homosexuals who came to him concerned about the charges. He says they "were disgusted" that his right to freedom of speech was being impinged upon and that they wanted to speak out on his behalf even though they did not necessarily agree with what he said. Stephen believes that after their lengthy discussions the three men experienced that he sincerely cares about homosexual persons.

A web page presenting documents and details on the case and background on the two principal persons has been set up on the web site of the Concerned Christians organization for which Boissoin was at one time the Executive Director. The page reproduces the original letter by Boissoin to the Red Deer advocate on June 17, 2002 (see Lund complaint) as well as subsequent letters and the detailed full complaint by University of Calgary assistant professor Darren Lund. The page also offers an opportunity for supporters to donate to Pastor Boissoin's legal expenses. See http://www.concernedchristians.ca/pages/campaigns/hrCommision/index.htm.

Concerned Christians is co-accused in the case since pastor Boissoin was in their employ at the time the letter was published and he signed it in his capacity as the central Alberta chairman of the organization. However, Boissoin told LifeSiteNews.com he believes the case against the organization is weak.

A large Free to Speak dinner is scheduled for October 29 at the Coast Plaza Hotel in Calgary. This awareness and fundraising benefit will have as speakers Calgary Bishop Fred Henry, Western Standard magazine publisher Ezra Levant, Dr. Chris Kempling and other prominent speakers. The dinner and the issue will have their own website in the next few days at http://www.freetospeak.ca. Comments on the controversy and its free speech aspects will also be able to be posted to the site.

 Dr. Kempling & the BC Court of Appeal

April 25, 2005

The final bell on “round two” has rung in the long-running match between Dr. Chris Kempling and the British Columbia College of Teachers, but it will likely be several months before the judges release their decision.  The case will decide whether Christian teachers have freedom of speech and the freedom to express their religious beliefs on their own time.  Dr. Kempling is appealing a decision of the College which suspended him for one month for writing letters to the editor objecting to the promotion of homosexuality in the public school system.  Dr. Kempling and his legal team faced off against the College of Teachers and their allies on April 21^st and 22^nd in Vancouver’s Court of Appeal.  The case arose out of a complaint filed with the College in July, 2000.

Dr. Kempling’s team consisted of William Clark of Harper Grey law firm, plus three lawyers from the intervenors:  J. Rogers for the BC Teachers’ Federation, and Kevin Boonstra (Kuehn and Company, Abbotsford) and David Brown (Stikeman Brown of Toronto), who represented the Canadian Religious Freedom Alliance. (The CRFA is comprised of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, the Catholic Civil Rights League, the Christian Legal Fellowship, and the Christian Teachers Association of BC.) 

The BC College of Teachers was represented by Mr. Bruce Laughton, who has handled the case from the outset.  Intervenors for the College included Elliot Myers of the BC Civil Liberties Association and Judith Anderson of the BC Public School Employers Association.  Hearing the case were Madam Justice Huddart, Mr. Justice Lowry, and Head Justice Ian Donald.  The only media in attendance was Frank Stirk of Christian Week.

The bulk of first day of the case was occupied by the Mr. Clark’s presentation.  He argued that Dr. Kempling’s Charter rights of freedom of speech were definitely violated by the College, and  given that no evidence of “harm” was presented, the “inference of harm” was not enough to impose discipline.  Furthermore, the one month penalty was excessive given Dr. Kempling’s unblemished teaching record, extensive community service, and numerous character references from a wide variety of supervisors and community leaders.  Mr. Clark noted that all other freedoms are an extension of freedom of expression, and that even if speech is “unpopular” it is worthy of protection in a free and democratic society.

David Brown had just 30 minutes to present his argument on behalf of the Canadian Religious Freedom Alliance, but he gave an outstanding oration.  He argued that, in the absence of “harm” in the school community, the speaker should receive the benefit of the doubt.  Moreover, characterizing speech as “discriminatory” is a “show-stopper”, i.e. it has the effect of shutting down debate by labeling unpopular speech as inherently harmful.  Brown posited that there should be an analysis of the difference between critical speech and discriminatory speech, which was not done in this case.  Brown noted that it is quite possible to believe in the inherent dignity of a person while concurrently holding that certain behaviours practiced by that person are immoral.  Furthermore, tolerance ought not to mean “mandated approval”.  Though his time was short, Mr. Brown captured the essential elements of the case in a brilliant presentation.

Mr. Laughton took up the bulk of the second day, presenting the College’s case.  He stated that it wasn’t necessary for anyone inside the school system to complain, nor was it necessary to call any witnesses to prove their case.    The College was well within its authority to suspend a member for speech it had determined was discriminatory—the harm could be inferred.  He also stated that it was improper to present a “freedom of religion” defense, since the College didn’t know what religion Dr. Kempling belonged to.  That was a remarkable statement considering Dr. Kempling’s writings are full of Christian references and Bible citations.

Elliot Myers of the BC Civil Liberties Association stated that the BCCLA agrees that the College made the right decision, but for the wrong reasons.  They felt it was improper for the College to base its decision on private memos written to a superior, private letters to elected officials, and unpublished research essays.  Their main concern was that Dr. Kempling identified himself as a teacher in his letters to the editor.  They were particularly upset by Dr. Kempling’s statement that he would refuse to be a false teacher, teaching information that was morally questionable, and that he would encourage those who were confused about their orientation to come and see him, as it could save their life.  Mr. Myers asserted that Dr. Kempling had “announced his intention to discriminate” by making these statements.  Even though no evidence was presented he actually did discriminate against anyone, the possibility he might was enough to impose the suspension.

The lawyers for the BC Teachers Federation and the BC Public School Employers Association made no oral submissions, and merely submitted their written briefs due to time constraints.

Mr. Clark is actually not too hopeful of a positive outcome in the trial, and believes it will be necessary to carry on to the Supreme Court of Canada.  It is doubly difficult at this time since Dr. Kempling is currently enduring an additional three month suspension without pay for public objecting to the Liberal’s same sex marriage legislation as a spokesman for his political party. 

But, as Paul urged Timothy:   ”I solemnly urge you to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience.  The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear.  They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends.  But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

The children of this land deserve to be presented with balanced information on same sex issues, so that they can avoid putting their lives at risk.  Without the freedom to present the Christian perspective in a public venue like the editorial page of a local newspaper, the safety of our children, and the freedom of all Canadians is at stake.

Teacher Suspended Three Months for Defending Traditional Marriage

[Please note that the action of this local bureaucrat and the school board are quite separate from the actions of the BC College of Teachers in seeking to have Chris Kempling punished for earlier public statements.  The audacity of the local superintendent of schools in joining in the persecution of Dr. Kempling may well have been encouraged by the climate of opinion created by the successful passing of Sven Robinson's bill limiting free speech and by some of the statements coming from ministers of the federal government. --editor of this website.]

News Release:

April 4, 2005

In a decision handed down today, Quesnel School District Superintendent Ed Napier suspended school counsellor Dr. Chris Kempling for three months.  Dr. Kempling has been employed as a counsellor since 1990, and has been active in a wide variety of volunteer positions in the community.  He is also the local spokesperson of the federal Christian Heritage Party, and had written a letter to the editor of the local newspaper on behalf of his party, criticizing the Liberal government's same sex marriage legislation.  The school district did not provide a single example of disruption to the school system, or any
negative effect of the letter.  They also ignored over a dozen letters of
reference from supervisors and community members written in support of Dr. Kempling.

"It is truly unfortunate that the Quesnel School Board believes that only those
who support same sex marriage are able to comment publicly on a matter of
national importance, " stated Dr. Kempling.  "It is a sad day for freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and freedom of political affiliation. But more
significantly, I am most concerned about the young children with serious 
emotional needs, who will be deprived of their counsellor at a time when they
need help most.  Counselling, much more than teaching, involves a close
personal relationship where trust develops over time.  I'm really very worried about their well-being."

Dr. Kempling plans to fight the suspension through the grievance process, as well as through the BC Human Rights Tribunal under the category of political discrimination.  n

This is probably a good time to repeat the information found elsewhere on this 
website:
How to Contribute Financially to Chris Kempling's Legal Defence

A trust fund has been set up.  It is the "Christian Public School Teachers' Legal Defense Fund."  Money contributed to this fund will help Christopher Kempling with the expenses of his legal defence.  Subsequently,  money in the fund after Chris's defence can be used to help other Christian teachers who may find themselves in a similar position.

If you would like to contribute to the trust fund, you may make a contribution at any Royal Bank branch.  The transit number is 4720. The account number is 101-030-5.

If you prefer to contribute by cheque, send your contribution to:

Christian Public School Teachers' Legal Defense Fund
      c/o Jim Sagert
      798 Beaubien Ave
      Quesnel, BC V2J 1S5

Letter Chris Kempling Wrote Posted on This Website
Dr.  Chris Kempling's letter of January 8, 2005,to the Quesnel Cariboo Observer is posted immediately below: 

January 8, 2005


Editor
Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Quesnel, BC

Sir:

The letters published in the January 9, 2005 edition of the Observer regarding
same sex marriage have highlighted the arrogance of the Liberal government, to
foist a monumental change to our social fabric by changing the definition of
marriage.  The Conservatives are dithering over how to deal with matter, while
the Liberals, NDP, Bloc and Greens are all in favour.  The Christian Heritage
Party, which I represent locally, is actively working to maintain the
traditional definition of marriage (which, ironically, a majority of Liberals
including Martin voted to sustain less than six years ago).  I have personally
read editorials in gay publications which decry the push for marriage, calling
it a "straight" institution that they had little interest in. 

In Massachusetts, two-thirds of the same sex marriages are lesbians, even
though gay men outnumber lesbians two to one.  And when two researchers
(McWhirter and Madison) surveyed 236 men for their book, The Male Couple, they were unable to find a single couple who had remained faithful to one another. 
In other words, infidelity (and now adultery I suppose) is the norm, not the
exception for gay couples.  And it causes as much emotional heartache and
relationship break-ups as it does for heterosexual couples.  Is this the kind
of relationship we want to give official blessing to?

There's another problem.  Now that our liberal social activist courts
have "read" sexual orientation into the Charter, and mandated same sex
marriage, there is no logical reason to prohibit bisexuals or polyamorists
(which are both orientations) from demanding the right to marry as many people
as they want.  To forbid them would be discrimination based on sexual
orientation.  Coming soon to a court room near you.

Marriage is not a human "right".  It is an institution with obligations, for
fidelity, for raising children, and for ensuring social stability, that was
established long before government decided to get involved.  Not everyone is
currently allowed to marry (we have restrictions against those too young, blood
relatives, already married, etc.).  Furthermore, there were no discriminatory
prohibitions against same sex couples co-habiting, willing their estates to
partners and so on.  This whole affair has been orchestrated by a tiny minority
of activists with good connections, who don't even have the mandate to
represent their own social group.

We need to demand that our government allow a referendum on this radical change
to a basic social institution.  Canadians are smart enough to weigh both sides
of the argument and render a decision.  And the Christian Heritage Party will
lobby hard to help make that happen.

Chris Kempling
Quesnel

A Visit to New York to Speak at the United Nations

by Dr. Chris Kempling

Early in February, 2005, I received a surprising call from Anna Marie White of Focus on the Family Canada. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights was holding a Delegates' Briefing on March 4, and she was hoping I could represent Canadian Christians by speaking on the topic of religious freedom in Canada. Anna Marie explained that UN ambassadors and NGO (non-government organizations) representatives were aware of the official Canadian government position on religious freedom, but that the delegates wanted to hear from someone who had actually been subjected to persecution because of their religious beliefs. They were preparing for a major Human Rights conference to be held in Geneva in April.

I readily agreed and started making travel arrangements. I had never been to New York City and was delighted when Anna Marie stated that Focus would be happy to cover my hotel costs for an extra day if I wanted to do a little sight-seeing.

I flew on Cathay Pacific Airlines for the five hour flight and booked into the Grand Hyatt Hotel on 42^nd and Lexington Streets, just a few blocks from the United Nations. On Friday morning, I met with American Focus on the Family officials, who were the hosts of the briefing, in the Helmsley Hotel. Two of the other speakers, constitutional lawyer Gerry Chipeur of Calgary, and lawyer Pers Karlson of Sweden, also attended. We then headed as a group to get our security passes in a separate building not far from the UN. Security is very tight at public facilities in New York. Thomas Jacobson, Focus on the Family's UN representative (Focus is an accredited NGO to the UN) was pulling a small rack with a couple of boxes of hand-outs. He was stopped by security, who radioed for the bomb detection unit to check his boxes.

The UN building is situated on the riverfront, with an adjacent park holding several impressive sculptures. The building itself was crowded with school tour groups, plus 6000 delegates attending a UN Women's conference. There were many delegates in their colorful national costumes walking the hallways and speaking a cornucopia of exotic languages. The Africans and South American delegates were quite flamboyant in their flowing robes and distinctive headgear.

We peeked into the General Assembly room and saw where the Canadian delegation was sitting. It looks pretty much like it does on TV. Our guide explained that simultaneous translation is done in the six official UN languages, but all UN delegates must have a working knowledge of English to be posted to the UN.

At the breakfast, Thomas Jacobsen said they were delighted to learn that they had received 98 confirmations of delegates wishing to attend the luncheon, three times what they were expecting. Furthermore, one-third were full rank ambassadors to the UN. They didn't invite the Canadian representatives, who are very strident in their support of abortion and gay rights causes. I spent the morning fine tuning my speech with Anna Marie White, Focus'  representative for Family Policy and Community Impact, and the representative from the British Focus equivalent, which is called CARE.

I was seated next to the Korean ambassador.  Sichan Siv, who just finished his term as the US ambassador to the UN, was also at the table, along with the ambassadors from Ireland, and an NGO representative from Belgium. The food was excellent and included Mesculn Salad in a basil lime vinagrette, with Sugar Cane and Cocoanut Glazed Chilean Sea Bass, Malanga Puree with Mango Salsa as the entrée. Dessert was a Chocolate Raspberry Ganache. (They gave us a souvenir menu, which is why I have all the details.)

Ambassador Siv spoke first, and related his very impressive "rags to riches" story as a Cambodian refugee who escaped the Pol Pot's killing fields in the 70's. His first job was picking apples in Connecticut, followed by a stint as a New York City cab driver. He eventually became the first Asian American refugee to join the American administration as part of President Bush Sr.'s cabinet, and finished his career as the Ambassador to the United Nations.

Gerry Chipeur spoke next, highlighting the various constitutional cases that he has been involved with at the Supreme Court level, including the Vriend and Egan cases. He told me privately that the only way to reverse Canadian policies is to defeat the Liberals in the next election.

I spoke next, outlining my particular struggles with the BC College of Teachers and my efforts to defend freedom of speech and freedom of religion for public school teachers. My talk was well received as there was a standing ovation. Janet Parshall, who hosts a national US radio talk show, invited me to speak on her show, while another woman, a Canadian lawyer working in Manhattan, said she was so upset at my treatment she wanted to return home to practice human rights law in Canada.

Pers Karlson, the Swedish lawyer, detailed the Ake Green case. Pastor Green was arrested and sentenced to one month in prison for preaching a sermon outlining what the Bible says about homosexuality. The Swedish Court of Appeal overturned that sentence, stating that the Swedish law forbidding any criticism of homosexuality went too far in penalizing pastors who perform their religious duties by explaining what the Scriptures say about behaviours deemed to be sinful. Mr. Karlson stated that Swedish embassies around the world had been flooded with protests. Nevertheless, Swedish prosecutors have now appealed the case to the Swedish Supreme Court.  Pastor Green has been invited to speak at the UN Human Rights conference in Geneva.

Overall, it was an excellent experience, and an honour to be invited to speak at the UN. The following day, I spent seven hours at the very impressive Metropolitan Museum situated in Central Park. I wasn't able to see it all, despite my best efforts, and missed the entire Egyptian wing. The medieval armor and Renaissance art was most impressive. On Sunday, I had the privilege of worshipping with the First Alliance Church congregation. This church is descended from the original Christian and Missionary Alliance Church founded in Manhattan in 1888 by A.B. Simpson (a Canadian from Prince Edward Island). They meet on the second floor of a commercial building on E26th Ave, and share space with a Messianic Jewish congregation.

Afterward, I took the bus towards Wall Street and boarded the ferry to Liberty Island. The ferry terminal is in Battery Park and houses an old fort, the original immigrant screening facility prior to the establishment of Ellis Island. It would have been the facility my great grandfather Joseph Kempling passed through in 1879. Security was intense, as all passengers were required to remove watches, belts, shoes, and jackets, plus pass through bag inspections and metal detectors. But I wanted to see the statue which is the worldwide symbol for freedom, something which we in Canada are beginning to lose a grip on. Unfortunately, it was not possible to climb up inside the interior of the statue, but it was pretty impressive just seeing it up close.

I'll close with a quote from Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920), a Dutch Christian politician who founded the Christian Democratic Party in that country: "When the principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then the battle is your calling, and peace has become sin. You must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy with all the fire of your faith."   We no longer have the luxury of assuming that our country's leadership shares Christian principles and will uphold Godly values. As is clearly obvious, they are quite prepared to make laws which run counter to the principles upon which this country was founded, and are attempting to silence or marginalize anyone who would protest against them. Kuyper's call to arms rings true for today. But who will answer?  Ghandi said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."  It means a commitment to action--and the time for action is now.

Dr. Chris Kempling Psy.D. R.C.C.

Quesnel, British Columbia