Letter regarding Calgary Stampede Parade to the Parade Committee
Mr. David Swanson
Parade Chairman
Phone: (403) 283-7796
Fax: (403) 261-0421
e-mail: [email protected]
Dear Mr. Swanson:
RE: STREET CHURCH
As history and our heritage has it, the Stampede Parade – The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth had its beginnings since the year 1912; a historical fact as posted on the website. Around the same period in history, the majority of rural Southern Alberta became known as part of the Bible Belt in Canada – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_Belt
In the Study Guide: Discover Canada – The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship (ISBN 978-1-100-12739-2), that is given out by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada to new immigrants who want to become Canadian Citizens, on page 13, it informs them that “The great majority of Canadians identify as Christians.”
Therefore, Stampede Parade and Christianity in Southern Alberta, should it not be considered as our heritage and culture, a pride we carry as we reach out to help generate our economy through tourism and business? Christianity is a growing religion in the Far East regions of this world and in the West, especially Canada, is known as a Christian country to these people. Yet for giving out Gospel Tracks, Street Church was penalized from entering this year’s parade. They did mention in their letter the circumstances that led to their handing out the tracks. It was a big parade last year and people on the grounds with authority could make mistakes or forget decisions they made spontaneously regarding the rules of the parade. These are very common errors when safety is not at risk.
As a Citizen of this country, I am appealing that for that sake of our Christian heritage and culture, give Street Church a warning about handing out Gospel Tracks and be magnanimous to give them the right to participate in the parade. To reiterate my point please, Christianity is Canada’s heritage and culture; and the Stampede Parade is an event taken place within the “Bible Belt”.
Thank you very much for your kind attention on this matter and your approval.
Dr. Oscar Winfield, Ph.D.
Susanne Huggard
Vice-Chairman – Content
Phone: (403) 774-1126
Fax: (403) 261-0421
e-mail: [email protected]
Dear Ms. Huggard:
RE: STREET CHURCH
I believe that about 2 weeks ago CBC had a poll on this question Do you believe that the word God should stay in Canadian culture. They had the highest Number of responses that they have ever had for one of their polls, and the Percentage was the same as this: 86% to keep the words “ God Keep our Land” in the National Anthem and 14% were against.
In the Study Guide: Discover Canada – The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship (ISBN 978-1-100-12739-2), that is given out by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada to new immigrants who want to become Canadian Citizens, on page 13, it informs them that “The great majority of Canadians identify as Christians.
As with the Stampede Parade is our history, heritage and culture; Christianity too as the majority of rural Southern Alberta became known as part of the Bible Belt in Canada – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_Belt Please do not punish our Christian heritage and culture because Street Church gave out Gospel Tracks at last year’s parade. It was a big parade last year and people on the grounds with authority could make mistakes or forget decisions they made spontaneously regarding the rules of the parade concerning the handing out of Gospel Tracks. These are very common errors when safety is not at risk.
As a Citizen of Canada, I am appealing to you to allow Street Church’s participation in this year’s parade. Otherwise, you are indeed removing a very important element in our country – Christianity being our history, heritage and culture. People are rather sensitive about the use of the term “religion”. How does one remove a term that is in our history? Just like, we cannot remove from Canadian history the Prime Ministers that had the shortest terms in office. They are still part of our history.
By being magnanimous, you are not doing Street Church a favour; you are adhering to the heritage and culture of this country and our province. We want new Canadians to know our Christian culture and heritage that is who we are in the midst of multiculturalism. What are we telling them now, through this parade? Thank you very much for your time and kindest consideration.
Dr. Oscar Winfield, Ph.D.
