It is the wee hours of the morning here in the rural countryside north of Kingston, Ontario. I spent the last few days in Ottawa with my professional colleagues from worldwide in a workshop, and stayed at a nice hotel just steps from Parliament Hill. Ottawa is a wonderful city and the architecture evident around the hill is stunning in its antiquity and grandeur. Unless you're visiting the University of Toronto, it's something you rarely see in Canada's largest city. Rather, there is a sense of national pride that makes up the stone of our capital's halls. Fitting it is, though, that such architecture would be found at the centre of our country's government, for what place of higher esteem is there than Parliament Hill?
When my work was done and I said goodbye to my professional friends, my wife, son and I decided to stay an extra night in town so that I could see what sights I could before vacating. We took a nice stroll down Sparks Street and I found the coolest little shop, Astrolabe. It's an historical cartography shop, with framed maps from days gone by, geographical artwork in my eyes. I didn't step inside but at least I know it's there now so I can return. I've been to Sparks Street before, but it's nice once again to see the pedestrian-only laneway next to the parliament buildings. The cafes in the middle of the road are a nice touch, no?
We proceeded around the Hill and I saw the house of ferrell cats I'd recently heard about. There was a man sitting on a nearby bench who apparently takes care of the cats, and built the large house for them some 37 years ago. I understand that the government gives them the residence and pays for their food. It's quirky and it's neat. A great view of the Ottawa River can be had from an outlook next to the cathouse. Around back of the Hill, the Museum of Civilization can be seen across the river in Hull. You can't miss it's wavy appearance apparently due to the native mythology that right angled corners trap bad spirits. It's hogwash of course, but makes for a neat building design. I really love the Parliamentary Library at the back of the Hill. You have to see the stonework to really appreciate it. We rounded the Hill checking out the locks of the canal and made for the Rideau Centre shopping mall nearby for some grub and beer before heading back to the hotel to eat and drink.
What fun Ottawa is!
I had to comment on the Globe and Mail's article today about the Boy Scouts' centenary yesterday. You can read the article and its comments at this link, but I provide my comment in full below.
I give a bitter-sweet congratulations to the scouting movement on its centenary. With the inclusion of so many different cultures now, why is it that I, as an atheist, am discriminated against? The first principle of scouting is a Duty to God. I spent much of my childhood in the Boy Scouts of Canada: first as a Beaver, then a Cub, then a Scout, 7 years total. I still have my uniform, lanyard and sash with all my badges, yet this sole "principle" is the one reason I am not active in scouting today. This troubles me because I have a new son who I'd like to enroll, and I would love to be able to volunteer as a leader, but as I matured and studied the natural world around me, any such supernatural beliefs were shed. I am now an upstanding and productive member of society who contributes the best he can, yet I cannot yield to this barrier. I ask the scouting world, if you can be accommodating to so many different people, why can you still find it acceptable to reject me?
Earlier today I listened to the latest Point of Inquiry podcast that is produced by the Center For Inquiry. The interviewee was asked about his thoughts of atheism being the last form of discrimination that is publicly acceptable in our society, his being American. It's much easier, I think, to be an atheist in central urban Canada because it's such an inclusive society, but the interviewee made a good point. He didn't believe that we are persecuted to the point that we have to ride at the back of the bus (though that was a coveted seat in my school days), or have to use a separate water fountain. It's not nearly that dire, but it is still difficult to be a leading public figure and be an atheist. George Bush the First stated that he didn't believe that an atheist should be allowed to be president of the USA, I doubt that George II is any more lenient. CNN actually allowed an atheist to ask a question to the recent Democratic debate, and he probed the candidates for the personal stance on belief / non-belief and whether they would consider him an equal citizen. This prompted each candidate to, what else, state they were good Christians, but it also brought out a couple of proclamations of equality and church/state separate. Praise be to Obama!
Our current Prime Minister is cut from a similar cloth as the Bushes, but then, look at who he represents. And I'm not talking about a forward thinking constituency. He looks like a used car salesman for gawd's sake, and we all know how trustworthy they are. No, I think that society at large is still apprehensive about my kind because they don't believe that we have morals enough to lead. Well, we've got morals all right, just not the backward, archaic morals they've managed to cling to. Thankfully there is a march forward among atheistic notables with Hitchens', Dawkins' and Harris' books catching wind. Someday we will be equal, someday, and I'll get to scout again.
