Scheer Honesty is the Best Policy

2005

I am going to defend federal Conservative (I can't call them progressive) leader Andrew Scheer today, although only briefly. In 2005 Scheer, a young MP, spoke in Parliament defending a traditional view of marriage between a man and a woman and arguing that same-sex marriage was a contradiction in terms — that marriage was designed for the "natural procreation" of children. The video of that speech has been circulated by the Liberals in the lead-up to the Fall election as a reminder of Scheer's small-c values rooted in his Roman Catholic faith, although the RC connection is not mentioned. 

I would say, first of all, that a significantly higher percentage of Canadians support same-gender marriage today than did so 14 years ago. In fact, the Civil Marriage Act passed by a vote of 158-133 and those who voted against the bill included 93 Conservative MPs, 32 Liberals and one New Democrat. Most of us of a certain vintage were opposed to same-gender marriage at one time and often for religious reasons, which we eventually realized were not "gospel." I grew up in and participated in a society which was homophobic, even though we didn't see it that way. 

I would also say that "smear the Scheer" politics do not impress me when there are so many pressing issues to be addressed, primarily our response to climate change. 

Now I'm done defending Scheer. The procreation argument is a puzzling one for me. Some married couples choose not to have children for a host of reasons, including concern about the environment. Some wish to have children but aren't able to because of infertility. They often feel like lesser couples because of societal and church expectations and I've supported some of these couples during ministry as they struggle. I have happily married couples who are of an age where procreation is not a possibility yet they are entering into marriage with a deep sense of Christian covenant. I've never understood how men who have never married nor fathered children (legally) can make definitive pronouncements on marriage based on sketchy biblical exegesis. 

I think it is important for Scheer as a potential Prime Minister to clarify his own views rather than evading the issue by saying his party won't reopen the debate. I figure he should come out of hiding from the press, which he seems to be doing.

I agree with journalist Michael Coren who was formerly a RC Defender of the Faith, then underwent a radical shift in his own outlook on same-gender issues while maintaining strong Christian convictions. Coren feels that Scheer is entitled to his own opinions based on faith but should be forthright in expressing them. If Scheer still holds these views then voters have a right to decide based on his honesty, rather than evasion. 

Thoughts? 

Note: After I wrote this (I often blog in advance) Andrew Scheer did an interview to supposedly clarify his position. He was evasive, avoiding giving a personal opinion. He stuck with vague talking points and did nothing to demonstrate leadership.