Doug Cuthand: Sean Feucht's negative message shouldn't be supported in Canada
This weekend, Saskatoon will be the host to the latest right wing import from the United States. Sean Feucht has been banned and condemned in his cross-Canada tour as the right-wing Christian nationalist preacher holds worship services across the country.
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He is the latest spillover into Canada from the US. right wing. Since Donald Trump took office and started acting like a dictator, the radical right wing has been emboldened. When he declared that he wanted Canada to become the 51st state, some on the American right have seen Canada as both a threat and a far-left communist nation that has no right to exist.
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As the United States sinks deeper and deeper into authoritarian leadership, they are taking from the playbook of fascist regimes. They must create a perceived enemy and project a narrative of victimhood. Trump has demonized immigrants, especially those from nonwhite roots. The Christian nationalists such as Sean Feucht demonize the LGBTQ community.
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His message is not Christian. I am a Christian and this is not what we stand for. In social media posts, he calls the Black Lives Matter movement 'shady and a fraud' aimed at exploiting 'white empathy with a dark movement and a hidden agenda.'
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He especially lashes out at the LGBTQ community, posting on social media that the LGBTQ is a 'cult bent on perverting and destroying the innocence of every child they can.'
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I'm sure he would have something negative to say about First Nations people if he gave it any thought. However, an attack against any minority can't be ignored because we are all part of the society and attacks against one group tend to grow and involve others.
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Christian nationalism is a movement that is making inroads south of the border and must not be allowed to take root in a diversified nation like Canada. Christian nationalism is a movement that wants to see the government reflect Christian values only, the laws are based on Christian principles and only a Christian can be a real American.
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The Feucht circus has had permits denied across the country because of fears for safety since many groups oppose his hate-filled message. Many advocates want him banned because of hate speech.
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Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Toronto Star
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California Gov. Newsom signs legislation calling special election on redrawn congressional map
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