The citizens of Toronto, Canada are no longer tolerating discrimination against Christians. Around 600 to 700 individuals recently attended the "Stop Bullying Christians" rally held at Dundas Square where they prayed, danced, sang hymns, and waved banners professing their faith.
According to Life Site News, the rally was conducted in response to the ban implemented by the management board of Yonge-Dundas Square against the Christian group Voices of the Nations (VON), after the latter performed several songs during its recent August music event that used the name "Jesus."
VON has been prohibited from performing their yearly event next year. However, VON and its supporters are not taking it without a fight.
"Stop being afraid!" urged rally organiser David Lynn, who is also the pastor and founder of the non-denominational Christ's Forgiveness Ministries. "I am a Christian! You are a Christian! And being a Christian is the greatest thing that you could ever be!"
VON president Peter Ruparelia and his wife Beena are grateful for the support from Christians, and encouraged everybody to fight the discrimination against Christians together. "We are one. I thank you," said Ruparelia.
The issue first stemmed when VON applied for a permit to use the square for the sixth year in a row in 2016. Event manager Natalie Belman rejected their permit, and wrote in explanation: "If you're praising Jesus, 'praise the Lord,' and 'there's no God like Jehovah,' that type of thing, that's proselytising."
The Calgary-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) has threatened to sue the city of Toronto on behalf of VON for violating their religious freedom of expression.
Dr. Charles McVety, president of Canada Christian College, said that Christians should unite and attend the public appeal hearing. "The public, that's us, this is our city," he said. "We need you to be there front and centre. The government doesn't always recognise the power of God, but they do recognise power."
