This is the shortened, translated text of an email by Grandma Johanne Chayer that is doing the rounds in Quebec and is reprinted on the Rally for Secularism Facebook page. The English translation is by Bing; the corrections in square brackets are mine:
I remember that, in my young age, we couldn’t enter the Church without a veil or hat on [our] head. At that time, I also remember that it was also a mortal sin to eat meat on Friday.
In the same decade, I remember that my mother was expelled [from] the church because after putting in the four world children, she no longer wanted to have others. . . .
I remember that a few years before my birth, women gained the right to vote and at the same time the right to be regarded as full citizens in society.
I remember when I was young, we also, as for the Muslim and other faiths pray seven to eight times a day. Mass every morning, a prayer before lunch, a prayer by entering class, dinner within the scope of the Angelus, another before the class in the afternoon, the Thanksgiving dinner, the family with the Cardinal Léger and a last prayer Rosary before going to bed. There was the month of Mary, Vespers, etc. We also had long periods of fasting before Christmas (Advent), before Easter (lent). . . .
I remember that [when I became an adult], thanks to the pressures of the previous generation, I had access to the first means of contraception which allowed me to restrict the number of my own offspring.
I also remember that it was no longer a sin to eat meat on Friday. I do not know what happened to those who went to hell. I hope [they have been] repatriated. . . .
I remember that it took more than fifty years of collective efforts to free us from the influence of the Church and religion in our lives. I remember that it took more than sixty years (1940-2006) for pay equity and that it is not yet finished. . . .
The tolerance for . . . religious symbols . . . is a lack of respect for the previous generations that have worked so hard to withdraw from the influence of religion on our lives. You do not remember! Me, I remember in this regard, I have no tolerance, and [out of respect for my mother, my aunt and my little girls, I don't want any accommodation.] . . .
Grand-mère Johanne Chayer Montréal (Québec)
There is more; you can read the whole message on the Rally for Secularism Facebook page.
