One of the tenets of a democratic society is that we all have a right to our opinions. No one argues with that. But that doesn't mean that all opinions are equal. One famous writer said if you ask two schoolboys, "How much is two plus two?" one may answer "five", and another "twenty-two." Both are wrong-but one is closer to the truth than the other. So it is with world-views and opinions.

How can we decide which world-view stands closest to the truth? Perhaps the best way is to look at the kinds of societies they produce. "By their fruits you shall know them."

One exercise I've invited people to try is to take a map of the world, and two different-coloured felt pens. With one pen, outline those nations that have given their citizens the greatest personal freedom and prosperity. With the other pen, outline those nations whose governments and legal systems have been influenced by Biblical standards of honesty, integrity, equal justice for all, care for the sick and the needy, and universal education.

The two sets of outlines will be almost identical. And anyone can understand why.

Extend the exercise, and now (with two other different-coloured pens) outline nations where the economy and personal freedom are declining from formerly high levels; then around nations that have turned away from former adherence to Biblical standards of right and wrong. Once again, the outlines will be identical.

This simple exercise can be a great help to Canadians in shaping their future. Writers like Marci McDonald (whose vitriolic new book, The Armageddon Factor, should have been titled The Christians are coming! The Christians are coming! Hide Under the Bed!) confuse personal faith with a "religious" agenda. They see the protection of personal freedom as the imposition of a particular ideology. They are wrong but their view has dominated public media outlets for years and has distorted public perception on the presentation of any truth-claims in the public square.

The fact that a growing number of Canadians want to see time-tested Biblical principles guide our nation has little or nothing to do with religion per se: they are merely fellow-citizens who have looked at different world-views and their "fruit", and want the nation to make the most logical choice.

Far from being a danger, as McDonald shrills, such citizens are the best hope for Canada's future. And that's what the CHP has been saying for 22 years. It's time to return to the Biblical basis of law, which allows all citizens to think, speak and act with freedom and dignity according to the dictates of conscience.