04/08/2026
A Pastoral Letter Regarding Bill C-9 and Other Recent Events
To the beloved people of Christ at Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church,
On March 25th our Canadian House of Commons passed Bill C-9 (also known as the “Combatting Hate Act”). After the Third Reading, the bill passed by a vote of 188-144. As such, this bill will now advance to the Senate. If accepted by the Senate, it will become Canadian Law 30 days after receiving Royal Assent.
As Christians, “combatting hate” is something we can affirm as good. Christ has called us to love all people, even those we disagree with and even those who could be called our enemies. However, there are some potentially concerning aspects about this bill.
Many are concerned with how the definition of “hate” and “hatred” in Bill C-9 will be applied. In a committee meeting that discussed Bill C-9, the chair of that committee (who currently serves as the Minister of “Canadian Identity and Culture”) stated that there are statements in Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Romans that are “clearly hateful”, and that “there should perhaps be discretion for prosecutors to press charges.”
Now, to be clear and fair, those are the statements of one individual and those statements have not been included in the text of Bill C-9. Likewise, Bill C-9 does provide this clarification: “For greater certainty, the communication of a statement does not incite or promote hatred, for the purposes of this section, solely because it discredits, humiliates, hurts or offends.”
That clarification is good, and we can be glad it is included in the body of this bill.
However, there are still reasons for Christians to be concerned. Foremost among those concerns is that Bill C-9 removes a key protection that Canadians of all religions currently have in the Criminal Code. As of the writing of this letter, Canadians currently have this protection: “No person shall be convicted of an offence… if, in good faith, the person expressed or attempted to establish by argument an opinion on a religious subject or an opinion based on a belief in a religious text.”
Bill C-9 removes this clause from the Criminal Code.
In other words, if a Christian was charged with hate-speech or a hate-crime because they were teaching what the Bible clearly states about a particular subject, right now, that Christian has legal protection in the Criminal Code. If Bill C-9 passes into law, they will not have that same protection any longer.
Another reason Bill C-9 should be concerning for Canadian Christians is because it appears to be indicative of a larger shift in Canadian culture and politics. Prior to Bill C-9 there have been other concerning Bills and recommendations that have been introduced in Canada. Last year our federal government introduced a recommendation to remove “advancement of religion” as a charitable cause. If that came to fruition, the result would be that churches and Christian charities across Canada would lose their charitable status. In January of 2022, Bill C-4 passed into law. This bill was passed to condemn “conversion therapy”. However, the definition of “conversion therapy” was so broad that normal Christian ministry could be counted as such and those who preach the Gospel of “repent and believe the good news” could be liable to jail time or fines.
Bill C-9 is one more bill in a series of bills and motions that seem to indicate that the cultural and political climate is shifting in Canada. Even if Bill C-9 itself does not lead to convictions of pastors and Christians, it could be a stepping stone toward that eventual result.
Please consider a story from a nation similar to ours. The day after Bill C-9 passed through the Parliament, two of our fellow Christians in Finland were convicted of “hate-speech”. Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola and Finnish MP Dr. Paivi Rasanen were found guilty of “making and keeping available to the public a text that insults a group”. What was the text they were convicted over? A booklet that they created and published in 2004 which tactfully, accurately, and graciously lays out the Biblical teaching on marriage and sexuality.
Perhaps we are inclined to think, “That is Finland and not Canada”. That is true. However, these convictions are a part of a greater cultural wind that is blowing over the whole Western World. Many believe this case will be precedent-setting for the rest of Europe and North America.
Now, let us be clear. None of us knows what will be the results of Bill C-9 should it pass into law. It could lead to the arrests of Christians in Canada. It could also be a bill that is passed and rarely sees any enforcement; and our lives would continue as normal. It could also be a bill that passes into law and is exercised justly to keep vulnerable Canadians safe.
The purpose of this letter is not to alarm or disturb. Instead the purpose of this letter is threefold. First this letter is intended to inform you, the beloved flock of Christ, about some significant events in our nation. Let us not be ignorant about it.
Second, the purpose of this letter is to seek to explain why many Christians, church-leaders, and congregations across Canada have found the passing of Bill C-9 to be an issue of significant concern.
Third, the purpose of this letter is to encourage you, God’s people, to continue pursuing lives of faithful devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ.
In 1 Peter 4:1 we are told these important words: “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin…”
As we see things changing and wonder what will come of them, let us arm ourselves with the attitude that, if it comes to it, we will be willing to suffer for our faith. Let us settle it in our hearts that we are willing to endure insults. Let us settle it in our hearts that, if our charitable status is revoked, we will continue to support the work of Christ through our giving. Let us settle it in our hearts that if we will be fined for speaking the truth, we will speak the truth. Let us settle it in our hearts that if our brother or sister is fined, we will stand by them and support them as we are able. Let us settle it in our hearts that we are willing to lose privilege, status, opportunity, and freedom in order to be faithful to Jesus Christ and His Word of Truth.
Let us also continue in the faithful act of prayer. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 we are told: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…”
Let us also continue to read, study, memorize, and meditate upon God’s Word. We are not there yet, but, Bill C-9 is a reminder to us that it is possible that God’s Word could be taken away from us. While we have it, let us store it up in our hearts and treasure it. Like Joseph, let us store up in the years of plenty, so that in potential years of famine we have a good supply stored up in our hearts. Then, not only will we be fed, but we will be able to feed others also with the words of eternal life.
Lastly, as people pursuing faithful devotion to Christ, let us trust in our God and not be afraid. Solomon reminds us that God is sovereign over all the earth, including our government and leaders. In Proverbs 21:1 he writes: “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” And Paul gives to us the great declaration: “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
And so let us not be afraid; rather, let us be faithful; and, let us remember that our almighty God is faithful to us!
Sincerely,
Pastor Mark Rekken and the Board of Elders
