I wish that some people who claim to be "true Christians" would spend more time helping others and less time condemning homosexuality.


Anti-gay ad didn't violate law, court rules

Last Updated Apr 13 2006 12:28 PM CDT
CBC News

Saskatchewan's highest court has ruled that a Regina man did not violate the Human Rights Code when he published a newspaper ad that reflected his views about homosexuality.

The ad was 'doubtlessly upsetting to many,' but didn't violate the law, the court ruled.

In 1997, Hugh Owens paid for an ad in the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix newspaper that referred to passages from the New International Version of the Bible that condemned homosexuality. The ad also included a picture of two stickmen holding hands with a "not-allowed" symbol covering it.

Owens placed the ad in response to ads he saw announcing an upcoming gay pride week.

After a complaint was filed to the Human Rights Commission, a tribunal ruled Owens contravened a section of the code that prohibits publication of statements that "ridicule, belittle or otherwise affront the dignity" of people based on their sexual orientation.

Owens appealed that decision but the Court of Queen's Bench upheld it.

On Thursday, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal reversed the decision. The decision written by Justice Bob Richards said the ad was "bluntly presented and doubtlessly upsetting to many," but it didn't violate the code.

It also said while the Bible can't be quoted just to incite hatred, the ad Owen's published reflected his sincerely held beliefs and his freedom of religion allows him to bring those beliefs to public debate.

In an interview, Owens said he was pleased with the decision.

"The fact [is] that sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ is not against the law in this country," Owens said.