BabyGeekGirl

Today the Globe and Mail is reporting about a lawsuit.  One where a coalition of multifaith groups is trying to claim a Charter right to religious freedom.  Seems innocuous enough.  But here's where it gets interesting.  Their opponent is... Wal-mart.  The superstore is trying to build next door to a 240-hectare spiritual retreat run by Jesuits and used by many many faiths (including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, Buddhist, Hindu, Zen, Daoist and aboriginal traditions) who want the court to recognize silence, the night's darkness and the sanctity of nature as part of the Constitution's right to freedom of religion.  Wal-mart wants to build in Guelph, Ontario and has spent 10 years working on zoning, etc. Now, the corporation is offering to relocate lighting and loading docks and to build a barrier between the Jesuits' retreat and the development.  That's not enough for those who use the religious retreat -- and I think they are right.  A place without technology where we can go to be alone with nature is a real need in today's world.  Yet, progress marches on.