Forgiveness campaign a blessing

My heart and spirit were moved by ‘First Nations Christians issue a call to forgive,’  in the April BCCN. The article was well written and unbiased; it expressed many angles of the issue.
My soul does wish for the healing of such a wounded part of our society – and I pray for those that are directly affected.
– Julie Garrett, by email

Forgiveness is a step in the right direction.
The wrongs done against First Nations people were horrendous, and have caused multi-generational damage.
As we call people to come together – corporately, as well as personally – to forgive the historical wrongs, we believe a blessing will come out of that act.
It will be a blessing to the First Nations communities, and to the whole country of Canada.
We also believe God can restore the broken people of Canada to their original purpose of being a light and blessing to the nations of the earth.
We pray healing for First Nations people, and freedom from any form of addictions, pain and scarrings.
For the sake of the next generation, we will stand – and call on God to heal and restore.
– Maria K., by email

Praise the Lord.
We in Sri Lanka wait for this to come to us, too. We are praying day and night that forgiveness will heal our land.
May the Lord bless Canada, and may the same be possible in all nations –  for the sake of our children.
– Shirani Wikramanayake, by email

May the day hasten when racism and bigotry is not even tolerated by God’s people, the church.
And may all nations who have been wounded by racism’s sting receive the healing balm of the Jesus whose heart is so tender toward them.
My prayers go out to the Native peoples of Canada. God loves you and has special plans for you and your children
– Michael, by email

Forgiveness is a step in the healing process.
For me, as a non-Aboriginal, the apology given by Mr. Harper is only valuable if it is followed by actions which reflect that the First Nations, Metis and Inuit are self governing nations of people within Canada.
Therefore, they have the same right to homes, health care, education, jobs and personal security that the rest of the citizens of Canada enjoy.
– Marilyn Tudhope, by email

Local Church article refreshing

I just read your brief article about the Christian Research Journal’s special edition – in which the Christian Research Institute (CRI) proclaimed ‘We Were Wrong’ about Witness Lee and the Local Church.
It was refreshing to read your straightforward report on this matter. Have you had many responses to the article?
I have met with the Local Churches since the early 1970s – and have, therefore, witnessed the long history of misunderstanding, and worse.
CRI’s Hank Hanegraaff, Elliot Miller and Gretchen Passantino have made a very courageous stand, based upon the findings of their research. I simply cannot say enough about their thoroughness and integrity to do the research – and admit to earlier mistakes.
Thank you, again, for your fair reporting.
– John Metz, Irvine, California

Ignatieff sparks abortion debate

Re ‘Ignatieff reaching out to Christian community’ (April):
Why should I vote for Michael Ignatieff, when he’s made it clear that he will promote abortion?
Now that he’s come out in favour of abortion, it will make me leery of voting for even a solid pro-life Liberal MP.
What’s the point, if he’s just going to be a useful idiot for a pro-abortion leader and the abortion cause?
– Suzanne, by email

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The Conservatives are not a pro-life party.
Stockwell Day and Gary Lunn were the only members of the cabinet to answer in the affirmative to the questionnaire sent out by Lifesite, on their beliefs concerning abortion, in the last election. The rest refused to answer.
The Tories have increased abortion funding every year, through the Canada Health Act. Stephen Harper has not taken a stand against abortion. Every party has pro-lifers and Christian members.
Tommy Douglas was a Baptist preacher and Sunday school teacher – and a socialist who gave us our health care system. He is also the most admired and loved Canadian in history.
It just shows that you can be Christian whether you’re a Liberal, Conservative or NDP.
Personally I find the Conservatives anti-union – and ultra right wing in many of their policies, especially their crime bills. Social conservatism is an ideology, not Christian doctrine.
– Robert Burns, by email

Catholicism an obstacle to unity

Re:  ‘Olympics inspire hopes for a legacy of church unity,’ February.
‘More Than Gold?’  How about obedience to God’s word? The truth is that Roman Catholicism – which played a key role in the More Than Gold initiative – is a leaven which works against truly Christian church unity.
Roman Catholicism denies that Jesus was the only sinless one, which goes against Romans 3:23; and that he is the only mediator with God, contradicting 1 Timothy 2:5.
I’ve served people in the streets and alleys of the Downtown Eastside for the past seven years – including hundreds, if not thousands, of people raised as Roman Catholics.
They are almost universally plagued and pained with guilt, shame and doubt – with no peace, no joy and no freedom.
My great love and compassion for Roman Catholics has fuelled my righteous anger toward Roman Catholicism.
Jesus loves all the religious lost – including Roman Catholics. His true united Christian church needs to confront and correct the ‘More Than Gold’ leadership, who let in the leaven of Roman Catholicism.
– Ron Hutchison, Vancouver

Taxpayers must oppose the HST

The HST makes me feel like we’re in Roman times, when the rulers simply decided they wanted something and then taxed their subjects at will.
Where is all the GST money?  We had a promise from our government that the GST was only for two years. That was in 1991!
I was at an HST talk with an accountant, where he was explaining to small businesses how the taxes will work. It was completely bewildering, and everyone around me was confused. It’s demoralizing.
Apparently, the government has even changed the rules on their website, since they first announced the HST.
The average taxpayer goes to work, and before he sees his paycheck the government has taken a slice off.  Then you’re taxed again every time you go to purchase something for your family. And now the government is asking for more? They seem completely out of touch with the voters.
Let’s show them they’ve underestimated us. Sign the petition, in person, to stop the HST. It only takes 10 percent of registered voters in each district to circumvent the levy before July 5 – and 85 percent of those polled are against the HST.
Go to: www.saynotohstinbc.ca
– Marilyn Pearson, South Surrey

Prayer works without God’s help

Re: ‘Franklin Graham ready to rock the Fraser Valley,’ April:
Near the conclusion of BCCN’s interview with Graham is this striking pull-quote: “It’s not gonna work if we don’t have the prayer behind it.”
I’m a non-believer in the divine payoffs of godly prayer; however, I do give credence to the metaphysical benefits of non-divine prayer.
Research has shown the potential for healing through others’ non-divine prayers.
In one scientific experiment I read about some years ago in The Vancouver Sun, an ill – though recuperating – hospital patient received prayer from a distance, from a dozen or so people, while another such patient did not. Guess who won.
Although I believe that there is a (genderless) God and that prayer can have a positive effect on one’s – or others’ – health,  I do not believe such prayer is responded to by a divine entity.
Rather, it’s the response of positive thought focused on ill individuals.
– Frank G. Sterle, Jr., White Rock

May 2010