Final Words from Argentina

Today is our fifth day in Buenos Aires and it has been for Linda and I, fantastico. When we left 22 years ago there was in a sense no opportunity to experience closure for either of us. And in a very deep manner that is what God has given to us in these last five days. We hope and expect that we shall one day return, but a great gift has been given to us that has affected us profoundly and we are deeply grateful to God.
Tomorrow I will be sharing a devotional with a group of Argentine pastors with my 22 year old spanish. Those of you who pray who are reading this, please do remember me that my words will be blessing and encouragement to them.
Tomorrow will be our last day here as we fly out in the evening for Miami and then on to Toronto. Carlos and Anna Maria Darino, dear friends who were a key part of the church over 20 years ago have planned for us a final time of celebration at their home in the afternoon, and then they will take us to the airport.
I will not have time or opportunity to blog tomorrow on this, so this is probably my last commentary written directly from beautiful Buenos Aires. Hasta luego...Royal for the family

Argentina; Astonishing Lessons from the Past

We've been here now for four days and have met numerous people whom we worked with, ate with, laughed with, and knew deeply. Seeing them now after these twenty and more years I've heard many of them tell me about seemingly small things that I did or said that made a profound impression on their lives. What captures my attention is that I was only going about my work and seeking to be faithful and had absolutely no idea that these things were actually so significant in the lives of these people.
It is a wonderful lesson for me, for it is a reminder that perhaps more often than not we simply do not know what impact we are having on the lives of other people. In fact I dare say that perhaps even most of the time we have no idea if our daily lives are significant for the cause of the kingdom or not. I have learned that through the faithful carrying out of that which seems insignificant that God is building an invisible kingdom through us...and to be sure we may never know until we stand before Him whether our actions and our faithfulness were of any account, but by faith now we can and must believe him that every cup of cold water given to the thirsty, that food given to the hungry, encouragement given to the desperate, direction given to the wandering, the gospel given to the seeking one...that all these things count for the good of people in this life and they will count for us when we stand before the judge who sees all and forgets nothing.
Royal for the family

Argentina: DayThree of Unlooked for Delight

The church in Ramos Mejia (a suburb of Buenos Aires) celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sunday night. I was glad to be there and to be able to share a little bit of how the work began so many years ago. Even at this distance I remember the seeming impossibility of the task that had been given of planting a new church. Linda and I were new to Argentina, our Spanish was barely understandable, we hardly knew anything about the culture--and here we were in a city of 13 million people seeking to establish a new church where the good news of Christ would be spoken and taught. We didn't have a lot of sophisticated strategy, but as I look back after all these years, and other people have confirmed it, we did have and still do have a very strong love for the Argentine people. It wasn't something that we put on...it was just there and we lived it and expressed it on all occasions. The other thing that is of great significance is that we prayed. We prayed personally and we encouraged and taught the church the importance of seeking after God for guidance and power to do the work that he had called us to do. In the end it is God who establishes churches and builds his church, and I believe he wanted another work for the fame of his name to be established in Ramos Mejia.
The church now has an attractive building and all the trappings that go with an established work. But I couldn't help but think as I sat in the celebration that in the end the outer trappings are of such minor importance. For the church is a people of God who have been reconciled to God, a people who live in the power of the Spirit and under the guidance of the spirit. They are a special, called out people who truly love and support one another to such a degree that a watching world is amazed.
Linda and I have been stunned at how profoundly this experience of returning to Argentina has touched our lives. The worries and anxieties that we had at first have not come to pass even in the slightest degree...the old relationships have been renewed and reestablished and it has been blessing, after blessing for us both. We see so clearly that even though we thought we were chiefly coming back to Argentina to attend a celebration that God in fact had so much more in mind. It has been immensely satisfying...words truly do fail. And even Andrew is beginning to relax and seems to be enjoying himself immensely. More tomorrow...Royal for the family in beautiful Buenos Aires

Enjoying some of the Best Food in the World

Yesterday we had supper (delicious Argentine pizza) with our worship leader of 22 years ago, a man who hails from Chile originally. Two other very dear friends who were part of our church plant were also with us. To be physically present with these friends who were in intense spiritual battle years ago with us-- and to see, hear, and physically touch them in warm greeting all in the context of the beautiful Spanish language was like a refreshing tall drink of cool water or perhaps like salve on an angry cut...almost impossible to put into words, but truly a healing ministry to our souls.

I went to Church this morning and heard a very good message on the importance of faith in the life of Elijah. It was well done and a blessing to me. I'm amazed at how quickly Linda and I are recapturing our ability to understand virtually everything spoken so that we are even now comfortable in any of the situations we find ourselves.
This afternoon a couple of our old missionary friends took us out to an Argentine restaurant which specializes in Argentine beef. Did I say mouth-watering, delectable, tender, palate- caressing, grass fed beef? I had forgotten how good food is here. The Argentine food culture is actually very comparable to European since there are so many Italians, Spanish, and also a powerful French influence. So you get fresh food all the time with an eye to careful preparation and presentation. Of course the Argentine beef is in a class all by itself and is famous all around the world.
We are seeing a pattern of some deep stress among our missionary friends. It's totally understandable as this field is being closed by the denomination and people who have done missionary work here for 20-30 years are being told that their career here will be over in just a couple of years more. Do pray for them and for us as we seek to be useful and a blessing in their lives at this time. More tomorrow, it's 12;30 am here and I'm muy tired. Royal for the family.

Arrival in Beautiful Argentina

This morning at 5:am our time our Boeing 767 taxied to a stop in Argentina.

The trip started being a blessing while our friend and brother Eugene Clarke was driving us to the airport. For some reason we got onto the subject of worry and he was sharing how he simply refused to do that, that it wasn't part of who he was. Later after we said goodbye I reflected that while I was filled with excitement and anticipation at the prospect of seeing old friends and precious saints after a 20 year lapse, nevertheless I had some inner knawing worries. Before God, and by his power I decided to cast them aside and simply look forward to his blessing. From that point peace invaded my heart.

Our son Andrew had been super excited about the trip, non-stop for two weeks. Finally the moment of take off arrived and you should have seen his joy as the jet revved up the engines and tore down the runway like mad, His face glowed with satisfaction. All went well with our stopover in Miami except for a faux pas made by Royal. We had to walk a zillion miles to our next gate for the non-stop flight to Argentina. And we had enough luggage that we needed to rent a little cart. I found a long line of them and began looking for money in my wallet. I was not hopeful, for it needed a five dollar bill and I didn't think I had anything that small. To my delight the first bill I put my hand on was a fiver so I stuck it in the machine and got my four quarters back for the rental was only $5.00. We quickly loaded up and began our marathon walk, moving slowly for Andrew doesn't do fast very well. About five minutes later my mind recoiled with horror as I was reflecting on my good luck at finding this five dollar bill. I realized with much pain that I had just rented my little cart by putting a fifty dollar bill in the machine and getting back four quarter in change. There was no hope of getting my money back and we had a plane to catch. Linda was very kind to me and said something like, "Honey these things happen, you have to let it go, I've made mistakes too". So on we went to catch a plane pushing a very expensive rental cart to our next gate.

By the time of our next flight at 9pm that evening Andrew was tired and edgy. Once we got into the air for the eight hour flight he kept seeing lighting flashes (actually a blinking light on the wing), and he became quite scared. We were able to calm him with some of his medicine for stress, and finally all of us were able to get some sleep before landing.

Dear friends, whom we had not seen for over twenty years met us at the airport and our reunion was sweet and overwhelmingly powerful. Dan and Melody Taube, missionaries to Argentina for the last twenty-two years ,were there, and Rodolfo and Graciela (Andrew's godparents) were there to welcome us back. We had our first visit with these very special people over an argentine breakfast of European type pastries made with real butter which were just as scrumptious as I had remembered. Despite the fact that our Spanish fluency is greatly diminished we were still able to have a blessed time. And perhaps the key worry that Linda and I had about returning turned out to be misplaced--it has only been blessing thus far both for us and for our friends.

That's all the time I have now, will be back blogging tomorrow. God is faithful...all the time. Blessed be his Name. Royal for the family

Making the Most of Every Opportunity

The Christmas season is upon us. And if its like past years zealous Christians, jealous for the true meaning of the season will begin fighting with the pagans for the privilege of wishing them a "Merry Christmas" instead of, "Seasons Greetings" or whatever.

I propose a new way of looking at the situation, and using it as an opportunity of letting our light shine in the darkness. For it occurs to me that one's inner
attitude and motive in wishing all and sundry, "Merry Christmas" is of
utmost importance. For I can draw a line in the sand
and say to myself, "thus far you pagans can come and no further for I will
defend freedom of speech, and fight political correctness on this point by
hurling joyous noels at everything that breathes. But surely such an attitude is contradictory to the spirit of the season, and cannot possibly bear good fruit. But, if our attitude is
rather, "I will not be afraid, but will consciously take every opportunity
to exalt Jesus--I believe we can move beyond mere pugnacity and move in the direction of true witnessing. So when the clerk wishes us something like, "Seasons greetings" or "Best wishes for the holiday", etc. etc. what if we were to look carefully at the person and say something like, "Thank you for your kind wishes, Jesus, Light of the world has come to me, may he come to you". All it takes for this kind of ministry is the courage to be transparent and the courage to confess Christ before men. Imagine a kind of built in ministry opportunity given to all of us to at this special season of the year. Paul says in Colossians 4: 5: "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders making the most of the opportunity".

Return to Argentina

In just two days time my wife, Linda, my son Andrew, and myself will be flying to Argentina. We left there in December of 1987 fully intending to return after a one-year furlough in Canada. Alas, near the middle of 1988 we concluded that due to our Andrew being born mentally challenged we would have to find a new mission field to in which he could get all of his schooling in English.

We came to our decision with very heavy hearts for after spending only one term as missionaries in Argentina we found that we had left our hearts in the country. But the welfare of our son had to come first and so with much sadness we made that decision and went on to serve in Mexico. Over these many years the pain of not being able to return to Argentina has abated to be sure, but we at least to some extent protected ourselves from the grief we felt by putting the country and its people largely out of our minds and hearts. I don’t say that was the right thing to do, but for us it was kind of a necessity because of the intensity of our feelings for Argentina and for its people.

Our arrival in the country on Saturday, Nov. 21 will be our first trip back after being away for some 21 years. We go with a great deal of anticipation and joy at the thought of seeing so many old friends. The trip for us is totally, but totally about the people whom we expect to see. In fact our schedule for the five days we will be there is more or less wall-to-wall visits with dear saints whom we truly thought we would never see again.

It is to say the least for both Linda and I a roller coaster of emotions—most of them connected to joy, gratitude and excitement, but there are some emotions as well of guilt and sadness, too for we will meet many people whom we more or less let slip out of our lives because it was just too painful at the time to keep in touch. It may be difficult for some of them to understand, and for Linda and I it may be difficult for us to cope with our own emotions.

So Linda and I are asking all of you who care about us to please hold us up in prayer as we return to this country where 21 years ago God gave us the privilege of being involved in the founding of a new church. Do especially pray that in all of our reunions with many dear friends and saints whom we never thought to see again that we might carry a blessing from Jesus.

I will try and blog each day about our experiences. If you would like to follow our progress and pray for us you can follow us on www.royalhamel.blogspot.com

Are We More Spiritual than Jesus?

Should Christians be overly concerned about giving offense? Political correctness is the reigning secular creed of our time. It's the sea we swim in; we are faced with it everywhere in our culture. It cries out, “Don’t you dare say anything to offend me, and if you do I will be offended, and I will let everyone know, futhermore I will tell everyone that you are a bigot, and finally I will tell Daddy, er the government on you and they will make you pay for my hurt feelings." You know I do not exaggerate. So what are Christians to do? We must go back to Jesus and Paul. In Matthew 15 the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Your words have offended the Pharisees.” And Jesus was remorseful and broke down in grief that he had caused offense and apologized profusely. NO HE DID NOT! He was not even perturbed…he said, “Every plant which my heavenly father did not plant shall be rooted up. Let them alone they are blind guides of the blind.” Jesus was not afraid to offend. But I have seen too many Christians tie themselves up in pretzels in order to accommodate sin and not give offense. I ask you, why should we try and out Jesus Jesus. Are we more spiritual than him? I think not. But surely Paul was accommodating and tolerant, and would never give offense. Really? Try reading the book of Acts…almost everywhere Paul went riots broke out…why because he would not tolerate falsehood…he insisted on speaking the truth. But some would say there shouldn't be an adversarial relationship between Christians and an unbelieving world. And I would respond that yes, by all means let Christians everywhere speak truth in love and with grace. But let's give up the silly, unbiblical notion that light and darkness will coexist in mutual fraternity and harmony.

Islam's Many Faces

Encountering the true Islam

by Royal Hamel

His name was Aladdin. In the late afternoon on a sunny day we met on a walking path that circled a beautiful man-made lake. Aladdin was reticent at first, but eventually he acknowledged that he was a Muslim from the Middle East. He seemed astonished at my unfeigned delight in meeting him. For I had been having conversations with Muslims from several countries, and I still had some burning questions. So to spend the next hour walking and talking with Aladdin was for me a most delightful treat.

In fact for some time now I have been looking for resources to help me better understand the Muslim world. And that is why I was so interested just recently to come across an excellent documentary that explores modern day Islam.

Joel C. Rosenberg’s Inside the Revolution: How the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus are Battling to Dominate the Middle East and Transform the World found its way to number three spot on the New York’s Times best seller list in April of this year. This fascinating book with its related DVD documentary by the same title portrays an exclusive insider look at the multifaceted world of present day Islam. The author shines a spotlight on radical Islam, then on those intent on reformation, and finally on a group he terms the revivalists.

The documentary has mesmerizing interviews with noteworthy figures like Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel; Porter Goss, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Lt. General Jerry Boykin, a former Delta commander. One of the most interesting interviews involves Tass Saada, a former PLO sniper and author of Once an Arafat Man.

Rosenberg avoids using a wide brush to portray all Muslims as being the same. He states that the majority of Muslims around the world ( 93%) are a moderate people who simply want to live a decent life. Among these moderates he claims there’s a movement dedicated to reforming Islam so that the jihadists will no longer kill and terrorize in the name of Allah. A Moroccan journalist horrified at the violence of Osama Bin Laden says of him, “For me he is not even a Muslim.” For these moderates the answer is still Islam, but armed jihad is not part of the solution. Rosenberg especially highlights Turkey, Morocco and Iraq as Muslim countries that are taking a lead in standing against violence and terror by the radicals.

In the first part of the documentary Rosenberg explores these radicals—the jihadists who though forming only a tiny percentage of Muslims worldwide (7%) nonetheless have tremendous influence and power. Rosenberg states that “the radicals say that Islam is the answer and violent Jihad is the way.” The radicals want to purify Islam by driving out the West, ridding the world of Jews and Christians, destroying the United States and setting up a world wide Muslim Empire. Perhaps the most chilling scenes on the jihadists deal with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Iranian president makes no secret of his intention to foment a second holocaust by ridding the world of the nation of Israel. The narrator shares at one point, “Never before in the nuclear age have the leaders of a revolutionary country held to the belief that the end of the world was at hand and that they were chosen to bring it about”.

Rosenberg concludes the documentary by exploring the phenomenon of so-called “revivalists” who inhabit the Muslim world. He explores the influence of various former radical Muslims who have been changed and are now reaching out in love as opposed to terror. In this section he also mentions what I have heard repeated from many reputable sources, to wit, that many Muslims around the world are experiencing dreams and visions of one of their prophets, Jesus Christ. The experience of former PLO sniper Tass Saada is a case in point. According to Saada the profound hatred he felt for the Jews since childhood was immediately taken from him after he experienced one of these visions.

Inside the Revolution is well researched and supported by a number of prominent experts in the field. People of varying persuasions, including Muslims themselves will profit from viewing it, and all of us will be better prepared for whatever the future holds.

But as good as documentaries and books are, there may be a better way to learn. Many of us have people living on our street with names like Maryam, Hassan, Mohammed, or even Aladdin. Perhaps these are Islamic friends we simply haven’t met yet?

Published in The Guelph Mercury/ Sept 29, 09

Concerned by THE SHACK

The Shack: Pilgrim’s Progress or Heresy?[1]

If you haven’t read The Shack, you probably have a friend who has. It is currently one of the hottest books on the market. The novel, written by William P. Young and published by Windblown Media, has to date sold more than eight million copies. It debuted on the New York Times bestseller list in early June, 2008 and has stayed there ever since. No less a figure than theologian and author Eugene Peterson has given it high praise, saying, “This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!”

The story line centres on the profound pain of Mack, whose young daughter, Missy, was stalked, abducted, and then murdered by a serial killer. As the story opens we are presented with a deeply wounded middle-aged man who endures each day with great sadness, deeply cynical that anything could ever help him. At the heart of his pain there is a deep reservoir of hostility and anger toward God, who has made him drink such a bitter cup.

The novel quickly morphs into an allegory. Mack receives a mysterious note that invites him to meet God in the very shack where his daughter was murdered. There Mack encounters a feisty African-American woman named Papa (God the Father), a smaller Asian-looking woman named Sarayu (God the Holy Spirit), and an unimposing Jewish man garbed in carpenter’s clothes (God the Son)! Yes, for an entire weekend Mack eats with, hikes with, converses with, works with, jokes with the Triune God of the Bible. Without spoiling the book for those who have not read it, Mack’s encounter with the “Trinity” brings deep healing, rest, and some answers to his disturbed soul.

The novel unfolds the person of God to the reader in unexpected, sometimes funny, and, on occasion, emotionally moving ways. I will not soon forget Mack’s first encounter with Papa. This rather large, energetic African-American woman launches herself at him, lifts him off his feet, and whirls him round and round in an exuberant embrace of pure love, shouting his name over and over. The key to the book is revealed when “Jesus” confides to Mack, “You were really stuck and we wanted to help you crawl out of your pain.” In fact, people tell me they found themselves reading this book with tears streaming down their face. It seems something extraordinary and perhaps transcendent has flowed from the author to his reader.

Lynn Garrett, senior religion editor for Publishers Weekly, notes, “People are not necessarily concerned with how orthodox the theology is. People are into the story and how the book strikes them emotionally.” I think Garrett is right on and this is deeply concerning.

Despite my appreciation for certain aspects of the novel I remain deeply troubled by much of the teaching that comes out in Mack’s conversations with the various persons of the Trinity. Does the God portrayed in The Shack speak with the same voice as the God of the Bible? Sadly, in many instances the answer to this question must be “No.” For example, Papa says, “When we three spoke ourself into human existence as the Son of God, we became fully human.” But Historic Christianity, based on the Bible, has never believed that the entire Godhead became incarnate. Only one person in the Trinity became fully human, the second person of the Godhead, the Son, who became our Lord Jesus. If the author can be so wrong on so basic a point, can he be trusted with the other words he puts into God’s mouth?

Again, Historic Christianity has always taught that God’s nature includes both love and justice, and that God one day will punish sin. But William Young’s God says, “I don’t need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment. . . . It’s not my purpose to punish it; it’s my joy to cure it.” In fact, in various places Young implies that God will in the end reconcile everyone to himself, contradicting the biblical concept of final judgment and punishment.

In Christian circles, The Shack is causing considerable controversy. Though highly lauded by some, others such as Dr. Albert Mohler rightly insist it contains “undiluted heresy.” And this positive reception of the book by knowledgeable Christians is what is ultimately most disturbing: how can they praise such a work? And what does this say for the state of current Christian wisdom and thought?

[1] The bulk of this book review was originally published in the Guelph Mercury, August 26, 2008. Republished with permission.

WHO WILL STAFF THE BROTHELS

Did you know that legalized prostitution may soon be the norm in Canada? In 2007 two cases began working their way through the court system, one in British Columbia and the other in Ontario. Both cases seek to have the laws limiting prostitution overturned. To be sure no one knows how the judges will rule in these cases. But activist judges in Canada have certainly played a major role in reshaping societal mores in the past.

Justice Ted Matlow, who is presiding in the Ontario case, has recently created some controversy by disallowing two conservative Christian groups from participating in the proceedings. The Christian Legal Fellowship and the Catholic Civil Rights League argued that prostitution is damaging to society, and that there are good reasons why communities might want to restrict it. But Justice Matlow quashed their application to take part because, in his words, the Christian groups hold views that, “reflect the views of only small segments of Canadian society.”
Whoa, hold it right there. I know that Canada holds liberal views on many subjects. But I find it impossible to believe that only Christians would champion the view that prostitution is inherently harmful and degrading. Are we to believe that secular humanists, plain atheists, and agnostics have no moral code? Are people like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens lining up with their daughters hoping to get them into one of the better brothels? It’s far more likely that Matlow himself holds elitist views that would not resonate with the average Canadian. Even with the moral bankruptcy of our times, I do not believe that the majority of my fellow citizens are going to applaud a decision to yank the prostitution laws in Canada.

In fact, I’m hoping against hope that Canadians will stand up and shout, “NO-WAY” to legalized prostitution. Let no one be confused about this. When prostitution is fully legalized and the sex trade industry has the entire stigma washed away from it, there is no telling how far the ripples of damage will spread. Will our high schools begin to feature courses like “Soliciting 101” or “How to run your own Bawdy House?” or “Pimping made Profitable”? Will unemployed women under a certain age be forced into job interviews with brothel owners if they want to keep receiving employment insurance? (Before you laugh an incident like this actually happened in Germany in 2005)

So why am I so exercised about this issue? It’s simple: I care about people, all people, prostitutes included. And I hate and abhor the practice of prostitution because of the hellish harm that it inflicts on women. The violence, the virtual slavery by brutal pimps, the rampant drug addiction, the actual danger of being murdered by some deranged john, the wide spread sex trafficking that occurs—I could go on and on.

Advocates claim that these are the very reasons why we need to legalize and regulate the practice. But they are wrong.

Countries like Holland that have had legalized prostitution for years are finally scaling back and passing new laws to discourage and limit the practice. They discovered that legalization didn’t guarantee safety; they learned that it only caused more unregulated street prostitution; they saw how organized crime came into the scene; and they saw that the foreign trafficking of women was all part of the scene. In short the people in Canada who are calling for legalization because of supposed harm reduction are dead wrong. They need to do their homework. Here’s hoping Canada will look at the negative, harmful experiences of other countries that opted for legalization and now wish they hadn’t.

I am hoping and praying that Canadians will be shocked and appalled so that there will be an outcry against the whole idea of treating women as meat to be bought and sold. But I’m afraid that we may now be at the stage where we are so morally challenged that we won’t give it a second thought. Please prove me wrong—let your voice be heard!
Just remember that if prostitution is legalized the brothels will have to be staffed. I can guarantee that those girls will be somebody’s daughters. Whose daughters? I assure you that they will be the trafficked and helpless daughters of some poor peasant in a far off country, or they will be our own daughters. I hope that either prospect makes you thoroughly sick to your stomach.

Published in the Guelph Mercury, August 14, 2009

One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven

Mark Cahill published the book "One Thing you Can't Do in Heaven" in 2004. The publisher is Genesis Publishing Group. I have to say that this is one of the best books on witnessing I've ever read, bar none. It's only a paperback of just over 200 pages, so it's a light and easy read.

It is no theological treatise, but its focus is more on encouragement and inspiration to share the good news of Christ. Indeed the book is so motivational that it may lead you to put it down in mid-paragraph while launching yourself out your front door looking for some to share with.

No book is perfect and this one easily meets that standard. But there is so much good information and zesty motivation that I will be recommending it far and wide. I plan, Lord willing, to obtain many copies just for giving away. Put it on your reading list for this summer. You will not be disappointed.

Christians who Shun Politics Lack Love

So many, many Christian leaders and lay people alike are conflicted and confused about politics. Many have come to a position more or less to the effect that, "politics is a dirty business and Christians have better things to do like sharing the gospel, so I'm not going to get involved on any level whatsoever". That may be an oversimplification, yet I think it captures the essence of the thinking. I shall attempt to prove that it is in fact a non-biblical, non-thinking position.

First of all, any and every endeavor that we as Christians enter into the world is done in a place of falleness since the whole world is in sin and under sin. So to centre out the sphere of politics as unworthy is to somehow misunderstand the pervasive nature of sin over every aspect of life. If one were logically consistent with this position a Christian would have to divorce himself from every aspect of life in the world for all is tinged with sin.

Secondly, to ignore politics is to ignore the sphere where power is exercised, the arena where secular authority is legitimately exercised in a fallen world. And by ignoring this realmn the believer in Christ is often guilty of not loving his/her neighbour. For instance the Salvation Army in London in the 19th century entered the political fray and labored to get laws passed protecting young girls from the horrors of pimps, brothels and all the apparatus of white slavery. In short they loved God first, but then they loved their fellow citizen enough to get involved in the dirty business of politics in order to protect and save numerous of their fellow citizens from white slavery. I will content myself with that one example for now. But, they who are too spiritual to get involved in politics are trying to be more spiritual than the Bible that calls us to love both God and our fellow man. And to omit the love that is due our neighbour is a sin of grave omission.

Should The Burka be Allowed in Canada

Guelph Mercury/ June 29,2009

Covering the Burka Issue from all Sides
Royal Hamel

Who would have thought that overdressed women could engender intense political controversy? But such is the case in France where just recently President Nicolas Sarkozy has strongly repudiated the burka, a tent-like garment worn by some Muslim women that covers them from head to toe. Sarkozy said, "In our country we cannot accept that women be prisoners behind a screen . . . The burka is not a religious sign, it's a sign of subservience, a sign of debasement . . . It will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic."

But think not only of France, for a number of Canadian columnists and editorial boards see the burka as a danger to women in our own culture. A recent National Post editorial claims the burka is like "a mobile prison" that nothing in Islam demands, and that it harms women by denying them a face and identity in our open society.

If women want to wear it based on religious conviction, or simply as part of their cultural tradition, I think that any coherent free society has to give its consent. To deny such freedom in a matter of dress would be an attack on the basic rights of women. On the other hand if women are forced to drape their entire body in this manner by a cultural tradition of extreme male dominance I would oppose it. There I've said it. I know, I know, nobody in multicultural Canada is supposed to imply that some cultural values are better than others. But are some cultural traditions in fact undeserving of acceptance?

Oh sure, I can easily enough practise tolerance and live with the burka, but if I examine it somewhat more closely it seems to be largely a case of domineering men saying, "You will hide your form, your personality, and your identity behind this mobile tent because no one outside of this family has any right to know you." Isolating women behind a wall of cloth reminds me of eunuchs in other times standing guard over harems of women by isolating them behind walls of stone. I oppose the burka where it is imposed as dress code because I believe that the female half of the human race is also made in the image of God and is of equal worth to us men. It is neither just nor fair for their identity and person to be hidden and subjugated behind a wall of cloth. The issue of fairness to the hidden woman is crucial. If men in these cultures were similarly garbed there would be no issue since both would suffer equal disadvantages. But men are free to dress as they like.

But there is another side to this issue. If a woman from personal religious conviction wishes to robe herself in the burka, what right has the state to interfere? I would say it has none. And, in the same way, I believe the state has no right to interfere in my freedom as a Christian to carry the symbol of the cross, or in the case of the Sikh to wear a turban, or to oppose a Jewish man donning a skullcap.

At present it is France that is contemplating a burka ban. And since it has already banned the hijab in their state schools they just might pull off the burka in the wider culture. But Islam in its more traditional expressions is growing in many Western nations, including our own. And how deliciously ironic it would be if Canada were to ban the burka. After all our justice system winks at sporting nothing more than sandals at gay pride events in Toronto. How ironic that it might become illegal to overdress in burka fashion while across the street women are allowed to parade topless because the law has chosen not to forbid extremes in under dressing.

Will France ban the burka? Will Canadians in fact join the discussion and move toward the same solution? Your guess is as good as mine. If the world view of secularism tends toward the throwing off of most restraints, the world view of most spiritual people tends to move in the opposite direction seeking to restrain behaviour that causes harm to society. Is there any room for compromise in a liberal democracy between these two sides that are so far apart? My suggestion, let's get someone to design fashionable, see-through burqas.

Royal Hamel is a member of the Guelph Mercury Community Editorial Board.

Sin Beats Up Victims and Leaves them for Dead

Just recently an old friend came back into my life. I hadn’t seen Oscar (not his real name) for a coon’s age. He broke off friendship because he didn’t want me around while he was ruining his life and marriage by an all consuming addiction with alcohol. But like the prodigal he has seen the error of his ways; he is in process of a long and deep repentance. My heart thrills to see him returning to his God, to sanity, to sobriety. It is a long road and hard, but he is moving in the right direction. I cannot help but see however that the sin that consumed his time, money and most everything of value in his life has left him traumatized, wounded and bleeding.

Often we think of the sinner as rebel and lawbreaker and he is both. Perhaps less rarely do we see him as one who is himself a victim of his own folly. But it seems to me that after sin has had his way with us over a period of time that often there remains only a husk of a man or woman. At times they are so traumatized, beaten up, bleeding and emotionally wounded that they require major surgery or hospitalization just to hold life together.

I say all this to say that when we call people to cease from lawbreaking and rebellion that we are often speaking to very broken, and wounded ones who are in desperate need of compassion and love because of the tragic wreckage their life has become. It behooves us then to be gentle and kind and to show deep compassion, even though they have brought all this on themselves by their rebellious and foolish choices.
May God cause us to see sinners not only as rebels, not only as breakers of God’s laws, but as precious fellow travelers in whom dwells the image of God, and to whom we owe a debt of love and compassion. Let no one think that I depreciate the place of personal responsibility. In the end all of us are responsible for our choices. But let us at all costs avoid condemning these ones. Rather, let us love precious people who may have made wrong and immoral choices, but have not disqualified themselves by so doing from the care and compassion owed to them by a people called to love even as our Father in heaven loves.

I'd Rather be in Hell with my Friends

Just last night someone poured out her heart to me about heaven and hell. Turns out she is fearful that many beloved family members will not be in heaven. And so she raises the question, "What if I would rather be with my loved ones than in heaven"? A very profound question indeed. But, Jesus spoke directly to this issue. For he said at one point that those who loved husband, wife, brother, sister, son or daughter more than him were not worthy of him. So it is a terrible indictment...but those who would rather be in hell with beloved family members are actually saying I love my family more than I love Jesus. And Jesus I fear will honor their misguided and terrible choice.

A somewhat more crass approach is often expressed by some people who say on this topic in a flippant manner, "You can keep your heaven, I'd much rather be with my friends in hell". This answer too reveals profound ignorance about the actual conditions of hell. This person has to be told that if he knew how the Bible described hell he certainly would not want to go there for even one minute much less an endless eternity. For the scripture describes hell as a place of suffering and endless torment. By no possible stretch of the imagination are we to think that those who suffer God's judgment in this way are going to be "enjoying" some kind of a "girls gone wild" weekend that will last for an eternity. Hell is all about judgment for sin, those who are consigned there will never cease to regret their decision to treat Jesus and their eternal welfare so lightly.

Scattering Seed While Biking in a Park

Thought I would tell you how the adventure of witnessing of Christ is continuing to unfold in my life. I share not for my glory, but for His...and to show how he can use any old clay pot. Here's what happened yesterday, Sunday, June 6:

7:30 am...I was in Tim Hortons having a coffee break while on a morning walk. In walks a person from my neighbourhood whom I'm seeking to know better. He's a bouncer in a nightclub, a great guy, kind of like a gentle giant...he gladly has coffee with me, and we talk, and I am privileged to begin to build a relationship with him.


5:30 PM I go for a bike ride with my bag of tracts and the following occurs:

I meet a latino couple in the park with their little toddler… I strike up a conversation on the basis of their cute little guy, because I'm intrigued by their obvious accent, and because of my knowlege of spanish. We share email addresses and before we part I am able to leave some excellent literature with them.

While crossing the covered bridge I give right of way to a young man with tattoos who was wearing a T-shirt with a cross on it. So I stopped him and asked about the cross....turned out it wasn't a cross...just an artistic "T"...but anyway I took opportunity to chat and gave him a tract before we both rode away in opposite directions. He warmly said he would read it and take it under advisement.

Further on the same bicycle path I met an 86 year old man whom I have often seen before. I stopped and we made conversation. He made a striking comment at one point when he said, "My father taught me to respect the almighty, but he also taught me that the church was not worthy of respect." I got a little defensive, but in the end offered my 86 year old friend a tract and encouraged him to read it. He assured me he would...we will meet again and he is open to talk more.

At THortons on my coffee break I met a cashier who hails from Afganistan...we talked about his unique name, for I wanted to make sure I pronounced it rightly. I asked him about the book titled, The Kite Runner (a story of Afganistan) and he assured me that he has read it. I told him I had written an article about that book, and he wanted to know about the article. I will be back in that T Hortons soon to give my friend a copy of that article in which the gospel is shared. And in future I will carry copies of that article for Muslims whom I may meet for many have read that book.

On the way home I met four Jordanian men in the park smoking the hooka (water pipe). I was so fascinated by the sight that I rode over to them and began a conversation about the water pipe, how it worked etc. At one point I asked them if they were Muslims, all said yes, and I told them that for my part I was a Christ follower. They seemed to be okay with that…I rode away, but these four Muslims met a Christian that day who expressed love, interest and appreciation for them.

On the way home I met a younger man riding his bicycle slowly, so I joined him and we talked for a kilometer or so about biking etc. No spiritual conversation, but as we said good-bye he said I could find him on the trail again as he bikes three times a week.

I was praising God for my encounters, and was now just intent on getting back home, but going through a parking lot I saw a man whom I had greeted earlier many kilometres away. He recognized me, so I got off my bike to talk. I asked him if he was walking to take off weight and he told me abut his personal struggle with weight loss. . Well he was most open, and we talked freely...I gave him a tract which he received warmly. He gave me his business card, encouraged me to email him and talk to him at any time.

Then I got on my bike one last time and headed for home arriving at 7:30pm

I know that I miss many chances to witness and do not consider myself any great expert. But I believe I have learned at least one thing. I think one thing that keeps many of us from witness is that we make it too complicated. We think that a witness has to be a full verbal presentation of the substitutionary atonement. And hey that's great when God opens such a door for such a complete sharing. But in the meantime there is a great need for a whole lot of ground to be seeded abundantly. What I'm doing is not complicated...it's seed planting...others will water, still others will bring in the harvest. Everyone has a part to play.

May God be honoured, may precious people actually hear the truth, and may Jesus call many into his kingdom.

Condemning the Murder of George Tiller

George Tiller was murdered in the foyer of his church today in Wichita, Kansas. Over the years he had become a lightening rod of controversy in the abortion debate because he was one of the few who was willing to perform late-term abortions.

I denounce his killing in the strongest possible terms as being sinful, immoral, and fundamentally contrary to Christian morality.

Our prayers as Christians at this time should be for his family and that anti-life forces will be prevented from taking advantage of this tragedy to promote their agenda of expanding abortion services in America and around the world.

YES WE MUST BE OPEN TO THE CULTURE, BUT NO...we cannot baptize sin

Last night I was at a meeting here in Guelph in which we were talking about how Christians can more effectively communicate the good news of Jesus. In a DVD shown the speaker pointed out that a great many Christians today are without knowing it, longing for a better past, kind of a golden era when Christian values were generally more accepted. He added that some Christians see the present culture, and its values as so anti-God that believers are actually angry and hostile at the culture in general.

I think, in part, the speaker is on the money. If believers are angry, contemptuous and hostile toward a culture they are seeking to witness to and win to Christ there is a fundamental problem. Now don't get me wrong, God help us not to fall into the error of being soft on sin and so tolerant and compassionate that we end up being more tolerant than Christ. But on the other hand, it simply will not do to so live and so speak that people only hear condemnation and judgment from our words and lives. Someone much more holy than us mastered this kind of living and speaking. For Jesus was not soft on sin, but somehow he communicated love not condemnation. God help us to learn from him. For there is error on either side of the road. Those who want to speak only of love, compassion and tolerance are also very much in error...for they are prone to leave out the truth about sin and God's hatred of it, and the result is that they are apt to baptize sin and make it virtuous when God has spoken otherwise.

This topic is made more complex by the fact that in several places in scripture Christians are commanded to 'hate that which is evil, and to hold fast to that which is good". We also know that there is such a thing as righteous anger. Who can contemplate the vile actions of pimps for example who seduce young women, or rape them, and then blackmail them into a life of prostitution. Such vileness causes in me a well of righteous anger, and I do believe that God would approve.

We must guard our soul against a generalized anger and contempt toward our culture. Certainly one aspect of such guarding is to love and exercise compassion both for sinners and sinned against, to see all people as lost sheep in need of a shepherd. Jesus modelled such love to both Zacchaeus, the hated tax collector, and as well, to the Samaritan woman. Both of these people would have been considered the dregs of society...but Jesus made it a point to reach out to them with his wonderful good news. We too by his power can and must love the people in our culture without baptizing their sins. And we must find ways of communicating that love.

I am aware that there are some so rebellious against God and truth who will insist that all judging between "right' and "wrong" is in itself an act of hate. Such libertines would do away with all right and wrong if they could, and in the meantime they malign and slander truth for their own ends. I do not say that we will convince them of their error, but we must try, and even with these, seek to do so with a gracious spirit.

Fierce the Conflict

Norman Cliff has written a fascinating book on persecution of Christians in China titled, Fierce the Conflict. In one chapter that deals with the famous Watchman Nee, Cliff recounts how Nee in 1950 returned to China from the safety of Hong Kong for he believed that God wanted him back in the country to preach and witness.

"Nee was aware that he, together with many other Christians, would soon be suffering for their faith. And so he wrote a hymn based on Galatians 6:17 (I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ) in which Christ is saying":

Why have you no marks?
I was persecuted and hung alone on the Tree,
Surrounded with coldness, cruelty and pride.
I was hurt by rod, spear and nails,
Why have you no marks?

Two years later Nee was arrested, sentenced and imprisoned for fifteen years.

We believers in comfortable places like Canada and the USA for the most part have very few marks, indeed most have none at all. Just maybe the absence of marks is proof of a lack of bold witness...just maybe the lack of bold witness is why there is so little growth in His church? Where do marks come from? What do they look like? Should part of our praying be directed to the acquisiton of some marks?

Royal

CONVERSATION IN HELL (Because its still Easter)

If you were here on Christmas Eve, perhaps you remember the conversation we heard between Lucifer, the Prince of Darkness—Satan, the Devil, the Evil One and his assistant, Wormwood. Today, they return. So imagine, if you will, a conversation, about this time of day, on the very first Easter. A conversation in hell.

Sir, I have that preliminary damage report, the one you asked for on this morning’s incident.

Wormwood, I am the Prince of Darkness, the master of lies, the Sultan of Spin, the pioneer of propaganda. Don’t try to slip one by me! “This morning’s incident?” Don’t you mean “This morning’s catastrophe?” The major screw-up!!!”

Yes, sir. It appears that way. Significant damage was done. According to witnesses, everything seemed perfect, going just as expected. They all confirm he was dead—completely and totally dead. No deep coma, no faking it. Not the Trojan Horse strategy I originally suspected. Dead—definitely dead. We had him. Jesus, the Messiah, the eternal Word of God, Christ, dead and in our custody, just where we wanted him.

Of course, he was dead, really dead. No sleeper cell. No playing opossum. The Romans don’t make mistakes with their crucifixions. Crosses are very efficient—what a marvelous invention. But then what?

According to reports, just around sunrise, unexpectedly, inexplicably, everything began to shake and rumble, and suddenly he’s alive. Not just alive, but powerful, incredibly powerful. He blew the gates of hell right open, sir. You know, the sturdiest, most indestructible gates ever—just blown apart. The only possible explanation is that God did this.

Of course, God did this. Who else could? Who else can raise the dead? Who else could shatter our mighty gates? But don’t be too alarmed. I have a plan.

What is it, your Wretchedness? I don’t see how it could be any worse. How can we pull through this disaster?

Let’s not make it about whether he was really dead or not. Let’s make it about whether he is really alive. Put the ball in their court. Let them convince people he really rose. Just go into “plausible deniability mode.” Play the logic card. Pump up the skepticism. Alive? Really? Who will believe it? The body was stolen—by grave robbers, by overzealous followers. Who is proclaiming he’s alive? Hysterical women. Mangy, untaught fishermen. People won’t believe them.Yes, sir. We’re already putting counter-information out. The guards at the tomb have been bribed. But sir, we still have the issue of the gates of hell. They were blown open and are beyond repair. When Jesus walked out of here this morning, he took millions, perhaps billions of people with him. It was quite the jailbreak. All those people experiencing freedom and new life—incredible!! When word spreads that the gates of hell are open, won’t everyone leave?I’m not too worried actually. Those gates were more for show anyway, to frighten people. What you need to understand about human beings is that they are very impressed with themselves. They are quite proud of their ability to make their own decisions, to think through their choices, their “freedom”—they call it. Most of the folk that are here with us are so impressed by their ability to choose, they’ll stay right here, even if it is hell, because that is what they choose, and nobody better question their decision. The gates may be open, but most people won’t leave. Even though they hate it here, there are some you couldn’t drag out of here.

Really, sir? You think some will stay here voluntarily?

Of course! I’m sure of it. Honestly, even with the gates in a shambles, I expect we’ll still get pretty brisk traffic into the place, newcomers, people wandering in of their own accord. They just like thinking they’ve made up their own minds. This morning’s disaster won’t change them. I’m more concerned that one day Jesus might return to round up the stragglers and stubborn ones.

But sir, with Jesus alive, with many of the former residents now gone, with the gates of hell in smithereens, well, with all due respect sir, doesn’t this mean it’s over. We’re done for—doomed?

Wormwood, I am the Prince of Darkness. No one on earth is my equal. I can twist peoples’ minds. I can confuse them, bamboozle them, make them think what they’re doing is good. I can wrap them around my little finger. Still all my power pales in comparison to God Almighty. Always has. Always will. God versus me, good versus evil—no contest, really! I’m totally overmatched. That’s the way it’s always been.

Boy, your Wretchedness, I’ve never heard you be so blunt, so down. The past few days have been quite the roller coaster ride.

You’re right about that. When I think back to Friday, seeing Jesus hanging up there on the cross, I was giddy, on an incredible high, what a glimmer of hope. But l guess it just goes to show that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Sure, this morning’s resurrection is a disaster. But I was painted into a corner before and now I am again. Honestly, looking back over the last few thousand years, I think I’ve done amazingly well, exceeded everyone’s expectations. Somehow God has never wanted to take me on directly, or never wanted to resort to my tactics. I guess that’s what makes him God.

Well with you getting all nostalgic on me, I guess that means it’s over for us. Right, sir? We’re packing it in?

What? How can I hope to accomplish anything with help like you? What do you think? We’re going to retire and move south? What kind of fool are you? I have just begun to fight! I can still take lots down with me. Have you seen a wounded animal, a mortally wounded animal, Wormwood? Didn’t your mother ever warn you to watch out for a hurt and dying beast?

Well, sir. You forget, I didn’t have a mother.

Whatever. A hurt and dying beast is dangerous and unpredictable, desperate and crazed. That’s us. We’ve got lots of time before the story spreads from Jerusalem. We’ve still got lots of power and tricks at our disposal. We can do a lot of damage—so much damage people will doubt the resurrection ever happened. We may lose in the end, Wormwood, but we can make it long and bloody in the meantime.

Yes, your Wretchedness. Yes, indeed. But some people will know Jesus rose and I suspect news of the resurrection will spread.

But just think how much fun we can have with those who know Jesus is alive. We can divide them, corrupt them, distract them, cause them to lose their focus. Pointing out the hypocrisy and failings of Jesus’ followers—it is a definite growth industry.

Now you’re sounding like the Lucifer of old. I’m getting fired up, boss. Excited, hopeful.

And you, who are so concerned that our gates are destroyed, don’t forget that the beams of my empire pass through every palace on earth. The huge timbers of my empire are built right into the main street of every town and village. My cold grip is on so many hearts and minds, businesses, institutions and rulers. I may be going down, Wormwood, but not without pulling down a lot with me. And when the mighty beams of my empire finally do fall, they will crush millions. The ruins and wreckage of my empire will be dangerous for centuries still. Just watch and learn, Wormwood. Watch and learn!

Yes, sir. I will, sir. But still, there are some who do believe Jesus is alive. Your cold grip doesn’t control everyone and everything. Some people are truly filled with new life. There are people out there who genuinely know Jesus rose. There are people who believe love and forgiveness are the most powerful forces in the world. Who knows what they might do to us? Why isn’t it true that just one little word can fell you?—the simple name “Jesus” stops you in your tracks?

Wormwood— Don’t you ever have good news? What are you a bearer of doom and gloom?

Sir, that is exactly what I am—a bearer of doom and gloom. I don’t have much experience with Good News. But back to the gist of my original report, it is true: Christ is risen.

Shhhhh! Don’t say it so loud! Don’t you think I know that Christ is risen, indeed?

Author, Steve Mathonnet-Vande, Originally published in the Church Herald for Easter 2009, Published with permission.


Maybe this is the second coming of C.S Lewis and the Screwtape Letters. In any case I applaud his creativity.

Prophetic Preaching

I don't know if you know John Piper or not. But if you have any interest at all in the subject of ending abortion you will not be sorry you took five minutes out of your busy day to see the following video on Utube taken from a sermon by John Piper. If this is what a truly prophetic word spoken to the powerful sounds like, then I must confess that I know virtually nothing about it. God help me before I die to know it.

Royal

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1794_no_mr_president_killing_is_killing_no_matter_what_we_call_it/

Bravo to the brave Miss California
May 19, 2009 The Guelph Mercury
Royal hamel

The United States is embattled in an escalating culture war on the issue of same-sex marriage. If the battle plays out as it did in Canada, many Christians and many churches will run for cover instead of speaking clearly what the Bible has taught for 2,000 years. But like a voice crying in the wilderness, a little-known beauty queen from California has stunned both Christians and non-Christians by her brave stand for traditional marriage.

In the final stages of judging at the Miss USA pageant on April 19, 21-year-old Miss California, Carrie Prejean, from San Diego Christian College, was the only contestant thrown a political bombshell. Pageant judge Perez Hilton, homosexual activist and pundit, asked, "Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage; do you think every state should follow suit?"
Carrie's remarkably brave answer included the words, ". . . I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offence to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be -- between a man and a woman."

With that response, she lost her bid for the Miss USA tiara, and lit a fire of controversy that has not abated. On his website, Perez Hilton slandered her as a "b--ch" and defaced photos of her with sexually explicit drawings. He reputedly commented that he had given her a zero, and if she had won he would have ripped off her crown and would have run from the building. Since then, the radical left, much of the media, and many bloggers have scornfully attacked Prejean because of her seemingly politically incorrect views.

Some conservative Christians don't want Prejean defending marriage because they think she's not pure enough. I think they're wrong.If God in Old Testament times could use Rahab, a prostitute, to protect his spies, and a murderer like the apostle Paul to become his chief messenger, surely an imperfect, flamboyant beauty queen should pose no problem. Spiritual purists should beware of trying to be more spiritual than God.

Who can doubt that the question by Hilton was deliberately chosen to expose Prejean's beliefs? Knowing she was from a Christian college, he undeniably had a clear idea what she believed. He knew that she couldn't falsify an answer and still be true to her convictions. Hilton's question was designed to out Prejean as a Christian who believed in traditional marriage.

Who knew that a time would come when Christians would need to be "outed"? In any case, his question hit the mark.

Prejean admits she was tempted to fudge the answer. She said to Dr. James Dobson on his Focus on the Family program, "God was saying, . . . 'Carrie, do not compromise this -- you need to stand up for me . . . You need to show you're not willing to compromise this for this title of Miss USA.' "

After three weeks of relentless media attack, Prejean spoke out April 12 at a news conference called by Donald Trump. She publicly forgave her persecutors and those who had spoken maliciously against her. But she also held fast to her free speech rights as an American citizen, and insisted that the persecution inflicted on her was wrong.

This outright attack and bullying of a public figure because of their religious beliefs is more than a little troubling. To put this in perspective, Prejean simply stood up for basic Christian teaching on marriage (Jesus clearly defines marriage in Matthew 19 as involving male and female).

Doesn't it seem somewhat presumptuous to accuse Jesus of discrimination and hatred? Shouldn't God get to establish the basic ground rules of the institutions He created?

Carrie was outed and her private beliefs (which had nothing to do with the beauty pageant) were held up to ridicule, scorned, and belittled. Christians all over America and Canada would do well to take note. They can try and hide from the culture war by faithlessly keeping silent, thus hiding their truth. But they will not succeed, for there are legions of Perez Hiltons who will seek them out for exposure.

No, no, far better to openly own the truth that has been given.
Far, far better for timid, secret-agent type Christians and churches to celebrate the goodness of God's truth on marriage, and to share it faithfully and lovingly to all who have a heart to listen.

Royal Hamel is a member of the Guelph Mercury's Community Editorial Board.

Darkness in America

The scandal of the most anti-life president in history speaking at Notre Dame continues to amaze me. How and why he was given permission by the Catholic hierarchy to do so is simply beyond me. Not being Catholic my knowlege fails me here, for I'm naive enough to think that the bishop in charge of the school should have had the power to prevent this from happening. Please help me out here if you are Catholic and know how this works.

The president called for "civility" of speech even when we differ on this profound moral question. Fair enough, but only up to a point. If a racist, or an anti-semite, or a terrorist wants to take a public podium and speak in defense of their action and attitudes would we be congenial to their explicit call that we should all engage in polite, civil discourse. I don't think so. There comes a time when truth must be spoken clearly. To do otherwise is to let the other side win by fudging and obfuscating the reality of the killing that is being carried out every single day by every baby aborted. Don't get me wrong. By all means let's be civil when we're talking about morally neutral things like color preference for carpets, or types of haircuts, or sizes of nose rings...but when we are talking about the direct breaking of God's commandment, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20, NASV) we're no longer on morally neutral territory. We should have a profound moral distaste for all that is evil and not give anyone the comfort of covering it up with pretty words and euphemisms that hide its horrible reality.