'God keep our land, glorious and free', these are words from our national anthem approximately 127 years old. It comes as a shock to note we aren't as free when the UN dictates about religion funding when in Ontario alone approximately 4 million pay taxes to support the separate system and in Orangeville, enough tax payers support three grade schools which are filled to capacity. We are asked to accept other religions, yet the reverse is not true. Our traditional belief system offends the minority religions and thus we reword or remove items that involve God. Young men and women died in WWI, WWII and Iraq for our freedom and I have to wonder if this is in vain.

Also interesting is that the majority of Canadians believe in God, again part of our heritage and important enough to be in our national anthem, yet when it's Christmas time stores please the minority. They sell Christmas trees, Christmas specialty candies, cookies, chocolates, turkeys and hams, Christmas decorations, wrappings, bags and tags for the millions of dollars of Christmas presents purchased every year but don't have the "backbone" to wish those who patronize their store with a simple "Merry Christmas" as it may offend the minority. Instead you're wished a "happy holiday".

I find this offensive as should everyone who celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ who IS the reason behind their millions of dollars of profit. Yes, this is Canada, our national anthem claims, "the true, north strong and free!"

E. Thomas

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