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Concerns about Bergen reporting
Thank you for letting us know about the horrific thing
that happened to John and Eloise Bergen (‘Bergens vow to continue
work,’ August), so that prayer and encouragement could be sent their
way.
My concern is the information printed that Eloise
was ‘raped repeatedly.’ I can’t begin to describe how it
felt to read that.
Did anyone consult Eloise or family
representatives to see if she wished to have this extremely personal
information shared with the world? I can’t imagine what it must be
like to have to deal with the knowledge that it has been
published without her consent.
Angela Carmichael, New
Westminster
Editor’s note: We can assure you that our staff
members were distressed to read about Eloise Bergen’s ordeal.
Regarding whether her privacy was respected, several mainstream media
outlets also noted she had been raped.
One account did go into quite a bit of detail; there
were several explicit comments from Mrs. Bergen herself, regarding what she
was subjected to. So we can rest assured she felt it was appropriate to
share this information with the general public.
The fact is, she was attacked in a vicious manner.
Reporting this fact underlines what she had to overcome in order to rescue
her husband so heroically; it also underscores the fact that she indeed had
something horrific to forgive.
Colonialism overlooked by BCCN
I read with concern three of BCCN’s articles in
response to B.C.’s 150th anniversary.
The characters being highlighted might have been great
fathers and husbands, but had done nothing to challenge the biggest
systemic sin in their time: colonialism.
Surveyors like David Thompson then were dreaded by
indigenous nations, as they turned everything in their sight into maps of
‘Crown land.’ A surveyor was undoubtedly involved in locating a
new shorter wagon road to the Cariboo goldfield under Governor Seymour.
That intrusion into the Chilcotin Nation caused an armed confrontation by
the natives.
While Seymour did go up with armed forces led by his
Gold Commissioner, the latter’s promise of immunity to the Chilcotin
Chiefs to meet was quickly broken. When the Chiefs showed up, they were
arrested and hanged.
As a result of a judge’s report in 1993,
B.C.’s attorney general issued an apology for wrongfully hanging the
Chilcotin chiefs.
As for Governor Douglas, after signing treaties and
paying with blankets on only 358 square miles of native land on Vancouver
Island, he fraudulently represented B.C. in joining Confederation in 1871.
If anything, the three showcased an unenlightened
allegiance and compliance to an Empire in its process of oppressing and
dispossessing other nations.
Bill Chu, Canadians For
Reconciliation, Vancouver
Worship heroes unsung by BCCN
Thank you for the excellent interviews with Brian
Doerksen and John L. Bell (July).
However, I couldn’t help but notice the irony of
the article that followed about BC churches having talented leaders. The
common denominator with each of the leaders you chose to highlight was the
fact that they’ve recorded CDs. Is this the standard by which
we judge talent?
While I agree that each of the musicians you listed
there is indeed talented, the fact that they have recorded CDs is not the
only proof of the gifts that God has given them.
There are many, many churches in BC who have
musicians, writers, dancers, speakers, actors, and artists who lead their
congregations in worship, who have no formal recordings or books or shows
to their names.
These are people who serve God each week by serving
their sisters and brothers in their congregations, often as volunteers.
Let’s make an effort to acknowledge the gifts and talents of all
those who serve in our congregations.
Angelika
Dawson, music coordinator
Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Abbotsford
Continue article >>
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Readers polarized on Todd Bentley
These letters were received weeks before the events
outlined in our lead story.
I was very disappointed on the article about the
Florida Outpouring and Todd Bentley (August). I don’t know what
circles you move in, but Todd is not unknown in this area.
He has good writers on staff at Fresh Fire, one of whom
you could have consulted – rather than reprinting something written
in Florida.
We should be proud of the impact Todd is having in
nations closed to the gospel but impacted by these miracles on the
internet. Only heaven knows how many people have come to faith
watching Lakeland online.
Pastor Susan McLean.
Victoria Miracle Centre
I have watched the ‘ministry’ of Todd
Bentley and gatherings of his followers. I have concluded that the teaching
in Corinthians, that Christian meetings should be conducted in an orderly
fashion, is clearly being flouted.
In my opinion, a lot of what purports to be the Holy
Spirits’ moving is nothing more than the use of mesmerism and mind
control.
I believe the scriptural teaching that “If I be
lifted up, all men will be drawn unto Me” is being subjugated in the
cult of personality.
Finally, linking of Todd Bentley’s ministry to
dubious and indeed spurious “healers/evangelists such as William
Branham and John Lake should have “ alarm bells” ringing for
any believer with spiritual discernment.
John Douglas, by email
Canada Day celebration a miracle
I’m writing in honour of the Grand Miracle Lord
Jesus did at GM place on Canada Day 2008 (‘Voices Together,’
August).
I was at the first meeting when the vision was shared
publicly – and I was among those that thought it could not be
done.
Some believed and got on board, and some 10,000 folks
showed up to Honour Christ. You can see the results at voicestogether.ca
The organizers did not collect enough funds that night
to cover all the expense. I believe the Lord allowed this, so his church
would rally together to participate in covering the costs. So I am
challenging up to 50 large churches to donate $1,000 each, to this cause.
Rev. Audrey Mabley, eternityclub.org
September 2008
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