Broken Pride

Canada promotes itself as a nation of diversity and tolerance, and in celebration of those ideas its largest city kicked off the summer by hosting Pride Toronto under the theme “SuperQueer.” Billed as the world’s third largest “Pride” celebration, and the largest in Canada, organizers of the 10-day festival encouraged everyone to “have an open, tolerant and supportive attitude” while respecting “subtle differences” among Toronto’s citizens and visitors. Their stated goal was to create “an inclusive experience for all.”

While these platitudes from the event’s organizers seem harmless and even morally noble by today’s standards, is such a celebration good in God’s eyes? If not, what consequences could such activities bring for such a well-respected nation as Canada?

Before examining the answers to these questions further, it is helpful to look more closely at the stated aims of this event. For example, the event’s Web site describes the motivation and purpose behind its “Dyke March”—

    “The Dyke March is a grassroots event where women and trans people in LGBTTIQQ2SA communities take over the streets of Toronto. The Dyke March is not a parade—it is a political demonstration of critical mass; a moment seized to revel in the strength, diversity and passion of LGBTTIQQ2SA women and trans folk. We encourage groups to work within the theme for Pride Week… in order to express their values. Raise your voice!”

The site’s article then continues: “Overall, we will be creative and disruptive, making politicized fun and glittery ruckus; we will be fierce; we will be SUPERQUEER!”

Are such statements “inclusive”? One does not negotiate peace by stating one’s intention to be “disruptive” and make a “ruckus.” No one attempts to endear cooperation or understanding by being “fierce.” Yet the organizers and the leaders who support them suggest that these disruptive and fierce tactics are to be supported and celebrated. After all, some claim that such celebrations of “diversity” strengthen a nation. But could these attitudes and celebrations actually result in the demise of the country?

Past Examples

If we understand that history can teach us about the present, we can find some vivid examples of what has happened to nations in the past that experienced what we are witnessing today. One such example can be found in relation to the nation of Israel. God promised to give them a land to possess, but He warned:

    “Do not think in your heart, after the Lord your God has cast them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land’; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out from before you. It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 9:4–5).

God warned Israel that it should not engage in the morally corrupt activities of the surrounding nations. He indicated that the actions of those nations were far from enlightened. Instead, they were considered wicked. Their actions were not to be embraced, and God was driving them out for such corrupt behaviour.

“According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances” (Leviticus 18:3). What were the actions these nations were embracing that God considered so wicked? They included a whole host of unbiblical sexual practices such as incest, adultery and bestiality (Leviticus 18:6–21, 23). They also included the practice of homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22)!

“Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants. You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you” (Leviticus 18:24–26).

Blessings and Cursings

God promised that He would bless those who obeyed His commandments, but curses would follow those who disobeyed (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Canada and other nations are rejecting God’s blessings, and choosing instead to follow paths that lead to destruction.  For these nations, God warns: “I will break the pride of your power” (Leviticus 26:19).

Is there evidence that God is beginning to weaken Canada even as it celebrates “strength” through “diversity?” Consider that Canada recently failed to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the first time in the prestigious world organization’s six-decade history. Now, as a long-time supporter of Israel, Canada’s international prestige is being further threatened as it loses the favour of Middle Eastern nations that reject the open promotion of homosexual conduct. Several Middle Eastern nations are seeking to relocate a major United Nations agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), from its present location in Canada. The organization that sets rules for airplane transportation has been headquartered in Montreal since 1947.

“ICAO has 534 employees and 37 full-time foreign delegations in the city, and a 2012 analysis by consulting firm SECOR reported it brings $119-million a year to Montreal’s economy. Its offices are designated as emergency UN headquarters in the event of attack or disaster. If it is moved, Quebec’s Parti Québécois government, critical of the Conservatives’ foreign policy, would be expected to blame Ottawa for failing Quebec” (Clark, Campbell. The Globe and Mail, “Disgruntled Arab states look to strip Canada of UN agency.” May 2, 2013).

Should this happen, Parti Québécois would presumably use it as further ammunition in its fight to separate the large francophone province of Quebec from the rest of Canada. Such a move could further diminish Canada’s influence and would certainly have a dramatic economic impact.

So, as Canada’s premier city winds down from celebrating Pride Toronto, the country itself is reeling from wounded pride on the international scene. In a drive to do what seems right in the eyes of men, Canada is neglecting what is right in the eyes of God. History shows that such choices will end in broken pride.

Thankfully, Scripture tells of a soon-coming time when under the benevolent rule of Jesus Christ, all nations will learn to live in peace, obeying God’s law and reaping the blessings of doing so. That time is not yet here, but Canadians—and indeed all people—can experience many of those blessings today, if they put aside their pride and humble themselves to obey the God who loves them.