Polygamy a corruption of marriage

Re ‘Once-ridiculed concerns about polygamy reconsidered’ (October):

I agree with the Catholic position that polygamy is wrong; however, the Catholic emphasis on procreation as the “essential feature and limiting device” of marriage is insufficient in arguing against it.

Polygamy is fully compatible with the procreation purpose of marriage; therefore, a reasonable argument against it must focus on some other essential feature of marriage.

Marriage as a committed and exclusive personal relationship is that feature.

The beauty and depth of the marriage relationship is such that it is used as a picture of God’s relationship with his people in both the Old and New Testaments.  

Polygamy trivializes this; it is a corruption of marriage.

Kenneth Affleck,
New Westminster

Other residential school victims

Re ‘Still no apology for rez schools’ (October):

The thousands of men and women who gave their entire lives in the thankless pursuit of trying to guide a people out of the stone age are victims of the most perfidious calumny I’ve ever experienced.

The whole unfair perception of priests as ‘pedophiles’ is just a part of this black legend.

The main cause of the problems was poor screening of non-clerical employees who worked at these institutions.

The call for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission is obviously just a scheme to gain more money.

Larry Bennett,
Burnaby

On the record: Chris Kempling

At a dinner held in his honour October 20, teacher Chris Kempling – who has been disciplined by the B.C. College of Teachers for publicly expressing his views on homosexuality – spoke candidly of his plight, as follows:

It’s no picnic standing up to the gay juggernaut that dominates our school system . . . Here is what the book of Ecclesiasticus says of such a situation . . .  

Continue article >>

“If you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal . . . In the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient, since gold is tested in the fire, and chosen men in the furnace of humiliation . . .”

My friends, the fate of our children rests with you, because the secular humanists who control our school systems are bent on imposing their worldview on all Canadian children, no matter what their sincere religious beliefs may be. And if that conflicts with their parent’s beliefs – well, too bad . . .

Godless principles are now winning the day, and now is the time to go to battle for the lives of our children.

Thanks for supporting MCC Fest

By buying an ad in BCCN, some businesses helped us promote the MCC festival to those who might not otherwise know of it.

People responded to these ads, and came in droves, helping us raise nearly $700,000 for courageous peace efforts in places like Uganda, Bosnia and elsewhere.

On behalf of those who receive this aid, and those who work to help them, thank you for enabling us to minister in Christ’s name.

Dora and George Hoeppner,
Festival Coordinators, MCC/BC

A prisoner expresses his gratitude

I’ve made a lot of bad choices I can’t take back. I’ve been in and out of jail since I was 13. I caused people to be hurt, and I hurt myself. I completed school in jail and worked to get my life together; but I’d always end up back on the road to jail.

My father was deported for importing drugs. My mother is an addict – but she tried hard to raise me, and took me to churches.

But I never saw God.  I thought, why would God let our life be so bad, while others have things they need? So I never believed.

Years later, some people became part of my life. They stuck by me, when I kept messing things up. I’m in jail now, for robbing a bank – and they still seem to care deeply for me.  They are devoted to God, and let me know God loves me and has a purpose for me.

I write you guys, to have my letter placed in the paper – to say thank you to the Pletts. They go to Central Heights in Abbotsford.

I don’t got much else to say, other than thanks, and I wish them the best.

Chad,
Agassiz

November 2007