FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- OTTAWA, DEC. 19, 2022 -- Bruce J. Clemenger, president of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, has released a new book that examines the changing role of religion in the public square in Canada. The book presents a biblically based model of public and political engagement.
The New Orthodoxy: Canada’s Emerging Civil Religion (Castle Quay, December 2022) examines secularism in Canada’s public square, charting its emergence in the last several decades and presenting a framework for how Christians can engage well in the emerging political environment in Canada.
Clemenger chronicles the erosion of the freedom to disagree as the ideological expression of political liberalism has grown in the courts and Parliament.
“Any close observer of Canada’s political atmosphere in the last number of years will have noticed less and less tolerance of viewpoints that do not reflect the majority opinion,” says Clemenger. “People who are motivated by their deeply held religious beliefs often experience a kind of marginalization now that threatens not only religious freedom but also, ultimately, our democracy.”
Clemenger writes from a broad base of knowledge and experience as a national religious leader in Canada’s public square. During his 30+ year tenure with the EFC, Clemenger has supervised over 60 court interventions, including 30 before the Supreme Court, and has appeared numerous times before Parliamentary committees on a range of issues.
“The work of the EFC and our partner organizations in activities like court interventions proves there is still a meaningful and productive way for people of faith to remain engaged and contributing to Canada in compassionate and biblical ways,” says Clemenger. “That’s our commitment. It’s my hope that this book will help guide those efforts and that conversation.”
To continue sharing his expertise and experience, on January 31, 2023 Clemenger will become senior ambassador and president emeritus of the EFC. In this new full-time strategic role, he will continue his work in the courts and Parliament, interfaith committee work and strategic networking, as well as unfold the story of EFC’s public engagement these decades to the next generation.
This timely, thought-filled, thought-provoking book also makes a good gift for Christmas.
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Available at: CastleQuayBooks.com, Amazon, Chapters, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, and Indigo.
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Author:
Bruce J. Clemenger