Black deserves to be treated fairly

Conrad Black lived life on a grand scale most of us cannot even imagine. Ensconced in a silver spoon culture, he was oblivious to the lives lived by his many employees.

Today this convicted felon’s veneer is a little tattered; his step is not so quite so jaunty. But this erudite master of the English language is quite capable of one last roar.

Regardless of how you measure Black, it remains quite clear that Canada failed him.

Remember the battle royal he fought with Jean Chrétien over his right to retain Canadian citizenship while accepting an English lordship? The Prime Minister denied Black an honour bestowed on another Canadian press baron, Lord Thomson.  

Black owned an empire in Canada. He paid taxes over a lifetime, and hundreds of employees depended on him for their daily living. Contrast this to some who have dual citizenship in Canada, but choose to live and pay their taxes to foreign countries.

The government should end this mockery and reinstate his citizenship ­– allowing him to serve his sentence where he was born and paid his taxes. Citizen Black deserves no less.

Elvena Slump,
Penticton

Starbucks promotes coffee, not God

Re ‘Starbucks cups deny existence of God’ (Readers’ forum, July):

I work for Starbucks, and I can tell you that it is far from a Christian company. But one of our values is to embrace diversity.

There was another cup in this series, which featured a Rick Warren quote. It, too, was criticized – for ‘imposing’ on people the idea that they need to find their purpose in God. The person complaining said they “did not appreciate” that message.

Starbucks is promoting coffee and entertainment, among other things – but not God. It is a worldly company, which will embrace everyone’s views – and all types of people – simply to sell products.

I work there, and I’m a Christian –  but I don’t expect them to be as well.

Ashley Cornwell,
Victoria

Thanks for Refugee Day support

Just a note of thanks for including our World Refugee Day BBQ in the Regional Roundup section of the June BCCN. 

We had a very successful evening. The mayor of Burnaby attended, reading a World Refugee Day proclamation for the city. 

Feedback from the community refugees who were there, the groups who co-sponsored the event, and other politicians who attended, was positive as well.

Thanks again for your support.

James Grunau,  
Journey Home Community,
Burnaby

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No church unity with apostates

Re: ‘Still no peace for Anglicans’ (July):

As a life-long Anglican, I am totally appalled at the decision of the General Synod and even more disillusioned by the lack of leadership on the part of the House of Bishops. 

Bishops have made vows before God, to be the chief shepherds of their diocese. We have witnessed complete abandonment of these vows by so-called liberal bishops.

For too long, we have been indoctrinated by the terms ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative,’ and have allowed apostate leaders to convince church members that being politically correct should be considered as compatible with church doctrine.

The proper terminology in these matters is apostasy versus orthodoxy. There can be no unity or concord as long as apostasy is permitted within the church. 

One can have varying opinions – for example, on issues such as the ordination of women.

I believe it is entirely appropriate for women to be leaders in the church, as there is clear evidence in the New Testament to support this. 

However, on issues that totally contrary to scripture, the church must stand firm.

There is nothing in scripture to support the endorsement of homosexual activity on any basis.   

In the secular world, employees who fail to live up to the standards of the firm in which they are employed are fired if they persist in such action.

Apostate clergy, at any level, should face immediate removal from their office if they fail to repent. They need to learn we are Christians first and Anglicans second. God’s word is not subject to their approval.

This does not make me a ‘homophobe,’ any more than denouncing adultery makes me an ‘adultraphobe.’ Proper pastoral care requires bringing sinners to repentance, not endorsing behaviour contrary to God’s word.

Frank C. Wirrell,
Abbotsford

Ecumenism is mostly ‘a charade’

There was a firestorm of outrage over the Vatican’s assertions that Protestant churches – and perhaps especially the Church of England – are in fact churches in name only.

Well, perhaps it is time for us to put our cards on the table and admit that ecumenism has been – in most cases – nothing more than a charade.

While there has been some progress in relation to the Eastern Orthodox faith, the Anglican church has turned 180 degrees.

In a recent Spectator magazine, an article profiled the writings of 19th century Russian Orthodox mystic Vladimir  Soloviev.

He described, with amazing detail and accuracy, the changes coming to Europe in the 20th century: growing secularism; the unification of European nations; and rejection of its Christian heritage.

He predicted that the Anti-Christ would be a philanthropist, pacifist, vegetarian and animal lover. He would not be hostile, ‘in principle,’ to Christ – but would deny Jesus’ divinity.

And, oh yes, he would also claim to be a dedicated ecumenist.

Larry Bennett,
Surrey

August 2007