Bearing Witness

Exiting the subway from Toronto's Eaton Centre into Dundas Square, the unwary traveler enters a hell of sound emanating from various religious zealots, a wild drummer, laid-back blues guitarist, gently-intimidating black-suited missionaries from Lou Farrakhan's Nation of Islam, scantily-dressed ladies protesting against furs being sold inside the Centre, and a hip-hop soundtrack accompanying four junior basketball games taking place on the square itself.

Noisiest of the day, after the flailing drummer, is this guy (larger image here) who hollers from his elevated position about how he's exercising his rights to free speech. Apart from a fervent wish that he'd turn down his vehemence volume, I'm struck by the easy way he and his God wish to eliminate the rights of others.

His message, "All My Children, Keep Away From This, False Gods and Any Thing. It Will Take God's Place in Your Heart," points an accusing finger at pretty much everything that might be described as entertainment, judging by the illustrated board, whose sinners include Led Zep, Hannah Montana, Toronto's soccer team (I'm with him there), BMW, the Beatles and anything else in between.

Meanwhile, his teeshirt points reminds non-believers that, despite what her worshippers may believe (or hope), "Oprah Didn't Die For Your Sins", while another poster points out the joyful news that "Death is Sure. Are You Ready?"

Ah, the joys of free speech. Just another day in Toronto . . .