Discussions

I am wondering if there are an services that aren't religious/ don't have a prayer or church leader speaking. A service that is secular or atheist?

Or would you consider Indigenous culture to be too religious.  
 
I respect the many religions represented in the services because freedom of religious practice is one of the reasons they went to war. I can handle a few minutes of other religions in order to show respect to those that fought for that freedom.  
 
I find it ironic that they gave their lives in parts of the world they did not agree with, but you are unwilling to give an hour of your time in a place "because it has a religion I do not agree with."

If you cannot sit long enough to any reference of light touches of religion when these men and women went to war and many did have faith and thanked God for their lives, why ask this?  
 
I'm not that religious, but I can attend and respect choices with dignity and grace.  
 
An atheist Remembrance Day ceremony might be a tough one to find.  
 
I'm pretty sure the main one at the Keystone Centre encompasses all, without being too 'religious'. It's over now, but you might keep it in mind for next year.

katwalk1909 said "Or would you consider Indigenous culture to be too religious.     I respect the many religions represented in the services because freedom of religious practice is one of the reasons they went to war. I can handle a few minutes of other religions in order to show respect to those that fought for that freedom.     I find it ironic that they gave their lives in parts of the world they did not agree with, but you are unwilling to give an hour of your time in a place "because it has a religion I do not agree with." "

"...freedom of religious practice is one of the reasons they went to war."  
 
Hisher choice not to want to be part of a religious remembrance service.  
It's all about the freedom to choose, wether anyone else agrees with it or not...

I would guess going to any of the school Remembrance Day services would be ones best bet. I thought the 'prayer' (which the chaplain even said this could be a moment of silence) that the service in Ottawa that was on CBC was neutral.

Yea I could handle "light touches" of religion, if that's all it was. Local ceremonies are basically ran by the catholic church, a priest talking for 3o min.  
 
And I'm going to go limp away from the computer now, because of my injury from serving in the military...

The one at the Keystone had a three minute maximum prayer at the beginning and a ten second blessing at the end. The MILITARY leader spoke for six or seven minutes, far longer than the religious people.  
 
If you cringe at four minutes of Christianity a year, you do not deserve the freedoms these service members have given their lives for.

what does Christianity have to do with human rights? As in, why do I have to suffer it, not as in freedom to express your own religion.

I love how the freedom of religion is being interpreted to mean no christianity. Now if someone was saying how unfair it is that the service subjected them to 3 minutes of Muslim prayer would people be as accepting. Freedom of religion means people can practice their religion without having to hide it. If you aren't Christian then just respect those who are and don't say amen. Same if other religions wanted to participate in the ceremony just be respectful of the other religion during that part but you don't have to participate. Stand and be quiet. You don't have to prey or bow your head. You just need to be respectful of those that do.

To the OP, I understand your situation. This has not been a good year, and many of significance to me or others close to me (or both) have, gone away (to quote George Carlin). Though I didn't attend all the funerals, those I did attend were a bit, akward. Lots of religion.  
Don't get me wrong, it was the wishes of the deceased. I would not have it any other way. However, I was bothered by many of these services often being 10% acknowledgment of the deceased accomplishments, 90% praise. Others may not agree. But its a personal pet peeve.  
 
Which is why I decided to honer a family member by writing my own piece, of sorts. Others can follow their own traditions. But rather than be intimidated by that, I aknowledged his life and accomplishments in my own way. Even though unfortunate circumstances kept me from attending the service, my aunt liked it enough to have it cap off her eulogy. Something that makes me happy.  
 
I am going somewhere with this.  
 
First off, remember where you are. Religion is of significance to many around here, and was of significance to many of whom the service is honering. When I was a young closeted atheist, I found this stuff was hard to get though to. But with time, its gotten easier.  
 
And to finish, really, you do not HAVE to commemorate with the majoroty. In all honesty, I do not feel a need.  
 
Find your own way, if you want to. But more importantly, try and ensure that what we have on account to the vetrans of the past, is never taken for granted.  
 
I say this with an eye on politics world wide. So far, Canada seems to not have taken that road. But vigilance is essential.