Using God to justify one's prejudices and the demonization of others is an old, dangerous game.

World War I with its millions of victims was fought, many claimed for God and King, fuer Gott und Kaiser.

The Ayatollahs claim the power and authority of Allah to wage war on other Muslim lands and to kill those who don't observe their laws.

The Ku Klux Klan think they are protecting Christian values as they terrorize Blacks and others who don't share their racism.

In secularized cultures, things are more subtle.

In Quebec the crucifix adorning the National Assembly is considered a cultural heritage item, while no other religious signs are tolerated - marginalizing and impeding people trying to live their faith.

In European countries, white nationalists fight against other religionists in order to maintain Christian dominance. Religious diversity, the result of in-migration especially from Middle Eastern and African lands, has given birth to a struggle for cultural dominance and singular ethnic idenitity.

So far in Canada, there have been amazing efforts to ensure this struggle does not infect all provinces. To be sure, yellow vests and attacks on Muslim and Jewish places of worship remind us that we are not fully vaccinated.

But we have also seen amazing efforts by many local groups and national organizations to build bridges of understanding and respect, compassion and sharing between those who have different heritages of faith.

The voices and actions of those challenging bigotry and prejudice are strong and courageous. Generosity of spirit and tangible help have showered on victims of religious violence and refugees of diverse backgrounds fleeing terror and poverty.

Happily, Canada has the Charter of Rights and Freedoms - a secular constitution with values rooted in the sacredness of human life and respect for people - to resist abuses from whatever source - religious, political, social, and economic. We are still missing a Social Charter ensuring all share equitably in the abundance of this land.

People of all faiths and none need to cherish and safeguard Canada's basic law protecting us from theocrats and others who delude themselves that they have the authority of God. Humble gratitude is in tune with its provisions.

The principal sign of the presence and authority of God is love . Peddling god as something less than this, something more hostile than this, more destructive than this must always be analyzed for its real purpose: the quest for power and control.

Jesus resisted the temptations to power (Matthew 4:1-11) and he was not afraid to challenge hollow authority. But he taught us the path of informed self-giving for the healing of others and the world - a lesson to be learned over a lifetime.

God is love. Don't let anyone sell God short. Friends and companions of Jesus will persist imaginatively and courageously to nurture the well-being of the one global human family - the children of God.