Is the Bible Hate Speech?
Any student of Western civilization will quickly learn that much of what’s good about the West comes from the Bible.

Good things we take for granted, like the rule of law, division of powers, public education, public healthcare and taking care of the poor, are all rooted in biblical values that were generally foreign to cultures prior to the spread of the gospel.

Though human history is never perfectly aligned with higher laws, these foundational ideas have allowed humans to flourish in the West en masse. But so many in our culture claim the Bible, or parts of the Bible, are hate speech. They claim its teachings actually cause damage to Canadians. Even the federal minister of Canadian Identity, Marc Miller, says:
“In Leviticus, in Deuteronomy, Romans, other passages, there is clear hatred towards, for example, homosexuals. I don’t understand how the concept of ‘good faith’ can be invoked if someone were literally invoking a passage from, in this case, the Bible, but there are other religious texts that say the same thing.”¹

Miller seems to suggest calling behaviour sinful or not part of God’s design is “hate.” He doesn’t seem to understand that biblical teachings on sexuality and gender have protected Western civilization from excesses found in other cultures. Even more basically, he ignores the fact that you can hate someone’s ideas or behaviour without hating them as a person.

That’s why this year the Canadian Religious Freedom Summit will answer the question: “Is the Bible hate speech?” Join us February 6, 2027, in person in Ottawa, at a local Watch Party or online. Register now

¹ ParlVu, October 30, 2025: View Source

Location
In person in Ottawa, at a local Watch Party, or online.
Date & Time
February 6, 2027
01:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
02:30 PM - 6:30 PM NST
02:00 PM - 6:00 PM AST
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM CST
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM MST
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM PST
French translation
French language will be directly superimposed on the Summit video (in-house and on YouTube). Viewers wanting to choose a different language will have to open an internet browser, and use this link to see a transcription of the language of their choice
Speakers
Host and Emcee
Jojo Ruba
Executive Director, Cornerstone Institute
With over 20 years of experience in apologetics, Christian communications and public policy, Jojo Ruba specializes in helping Christians engage in thoughtful conversations with their friends, neighbours and even with the public. 
Keynote Speakers
Dr. David Haskell 
Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University 
Prof. Haskell became a Christian later in life after examining the biblical case for Christianity. His new book, Christ or Collapse, presents a secular case for faith-informed governance and showcases the contribution of the biblical worldview to Western society. Rather than fearing our Christian heritage, then, he argues, biblical values ought to be embraced and/or protected to ensure a democratic future for all.
Wilfrid Laurier University profile

Andrea Minichiello Williams
Founder & Chief Executive, Christian Concern and Christian Legal Centre
Andrea has led some of the most high-profile Christian freedom cases and parliamentary campaigns in the United Kingdom and Europe. She has been at the forefront of defending life, family and Christian freedoms in the United Kingdom and beyond. Andrea is a qualified barrister with over three decades of experience in law.
christianconcern.com
Barry Neufeld
Former BC School Board Trustee, Chilliwack Board of Education
Neufeld is a former school board trustee fined $750K by the BC Human Rights Tribunal in 2026. The tribunal ruled that his publicly stated personal beliefs criticizing gender ideology and its harm to children constitute hate speech. His case could set legal precedent about what Christians can say about gender identity and transgender confusion.
barryneufeld.com
Rev. Dr. Bernard Randall
Anglican Priest & Former Chaplain, Trent College
Rev. Dr. Bernard Randall was fired from his teaching position at an Anglican college for a sermon that defended the biblical view of marriage, a position supported by the Anglican Church. After a seven-year legal battle, an independent Church safeguarding review has concluded that there are no ongoing safeguarding concerns relating to him. He was reinstated and was awarded legal costs.
You can read more at Christian Concern or watch his video here

Don't miss out.
We look forward to having you join us in-person or online!

The Freedom Summit is offered without a registration fee; however, we depend on your generous contributions to make this event possible. Suggested contributions are $25 for in-person attendance and $15 for online participation. Your support is essential to help cover the costs and ensure the success of this event.
Summit 2026 Promo
Schedule
If you are attending a Watch Party, we recommend you come 30 minutes before start time to get instructions and booklets at the Watch Party.
1:00 PM
Opening Remarks and Prayer
1:10 PM
Faytene Grasseschi: The Day they Let the Dogs Out—The Chilling Reality of Political Harassment in Canada
1:45 PM
Luc Angers: The Urgency to Act Now 
2:05 PM
Break
2:35PM
Pastor Hyeon Soo Lim: What Enables Underground Believers in North Korea to Endure and Remain Faithful 
3:15 PM
Dr Albert Mohler: A Special Message for Summit Attendees from the President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
3:45PM
Break
4:00 PM
Stockwell Day: How Religious Persecution Thrives
4:35 PM
Jojo Ruba: Building a Thriving Church in an Age of Persecution
4:55 PM
Bonus Q & A Panel
5:45 PM
Concluding Remarks
Conference Location
 This conference will be held both online and in-person

Online
Online streaming link will be sent to your email on the day of the event.

In-person
Ottawa - venue to be announced
Sponsors
News & Updates
UPDATE: Bill C-4 received Royal Assent on December 8.
On Tuesday, December 7, Bill C-4, which criminalizes conversion therapy, passed the Senate in a single motion. It had already passed the House in a single motion on December 1.
On Tuesday, December 7th the Canadian Senate passed Bill C-4, effectively banning the practice known as conversion therapy. The bill had been introduced to the House of Commons on November 29th and was approved on December 1st without further debate or study. It received Royal Assent today and will become the law of the land in 30 days. 
Join a watch party

We're glad to announce these local partner churches will be hosting a Watch Party! Please register through the website and you can join our team at these locations. If you attend a Watch Party, you'll get access to the Summit booklet.

Covenant CRC of Calgary
Calgary, AB
50 Millrise Blvd SW
Website
Abundant Life Ministries
Edmonton, AB
6111 91 Street
Website
Congregational Christian Fellowship Church of Spruce Grove
Spruce Grove, AB
445 King Street
Website
Faith Reformed Church of Telkwa
Telkwa, BC
Box 504
Website
New West Community Church
New Westminster, BC
322 Hospital St
Website
Heartland Church
Winnipeg, MB
1344 Erin St, R3E 2S6
Website
Grace PEI Church
Charlottetown, PEI
50 Kirkdale Rd
Website
Grace Community Bible Church
Shawville, QC
272 Highway 148, J0X 2Y0
Website
Kings Corner Church
Regina, SK
2110 King Street
Website
Église Fleuve d’Eau Vive de Gatineau
Gatineau, QC
93 boulevard Gréber
Website
Église évangélique Restauracion
Montreal, QC
740 Rue Roy E
Website
Grace Baptist Church
Dartmouth, NS
51 Athorpe Dr.
Website
Main Community Church
Springdale, NL
135 Main St, A0J 1T0
Website
Living Hope Community Church
Estevan, SK
100 King Street, S4A 2T5
Website
How to host a watch party
Below are details to help you host a Watch Party.

A Watch Party happens at a church or home that will broadcast the live showing of the Religious Freedom Summit on Feb 6th, 2027 from Ottawa. You will be hosting members from your church, friends and people from our mailing list who will be given your address to attend the event for the day. Of course, we would encourage you to invite your friends and family too.

1. Register at freedomsummit.ca
Register at Freedomsummit.ca by Jan 15th and we can send you hard copies of the Freedom Summit program. Register before Feb 1st and we can send you an electronic copy of the program.

2. Send Invitations
Whether you're hosting a Watch Party in your home or church, there are plenty of ways you can spread the word to your guests and invite them to register.

- Invite people at your church and post the registration website in your church program
- Invite friends via the Facebook event
- Visit the freedomsummit.ca website to download promo materials.

Please encourage your guests or church members to register at freedomsummit.ca. This helps us know how many booklets to send to your location.

3. Connect with the Link:
You will be emailed a link for the event a week before the Summit. Please check to make sure you are able to play both the video and sound on your TV, church or computer system.

4. Meet at the Correct Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026
2:30 pm NT- 7:30 pm NT
2 pm AT – 7 pm AT
1 pm ET – 6 pm ET
12 pm CT – 5 pm CT
11 am MT – 4 pm MT
10 am PT – 3 pm PT

5. Welcome attendees on the day of the Summit
Along with your welcome package, you will be given instructions on how to host the program. At some locations the Summit organizers will designate a local volunteer to host the event. We would strongly encourage the local church or host group to also to have a representative to welcome guests and close in prayer.

6. Send your questions!
Along with the link to the Youtube feed, you will get a number to text your questions to the final panel discussion. We will vet all questions from all watch parties and those participating in person. We hope to pose questions from each group.

7. Thank your guests at the end of the Summit
Thank your guests when the Summit is done. Please remind them that if they want to hear any miss any presentation again, all of them will be found after the Summit on our Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@canadianreligiousfreedomsu318.

They can send any questions to [email protected]

Thank you for considering hosting a Watch Party!
Contact Us
Our Mission is to protect and promote freedom for gospel ministry in Canada.

The Canadian Religious Freedom Summit is convened and facilitated by the Metropolitan Bible Church, Ottawa, with the gracious help and advice of the Summit’s sponsors.

Please use the following form to contact us or directly through email at [email protected].

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