As I follow Christ I seek to encourage and teach fellow
believers to speak about their faith in Jesus. To achieve that end I provide
training in witnessing and evangelism and constantly challenge others to boldly talk the walk.
But there is another way of understanding, “talking the walk.” In my view Christians have the duty and responsibility
to confidently enter the public square with the truth of Christianity. Of the
many faith groups that I know of, there is one in particular who seems to
understand this calling better than others.
I speak of the Catholic Church.
Many who follow her teaching are people who speak up for Christian
values in the public square. As a result
they are often maligned for their efforts.
The following is a letter published today in a local Guelph
newspaper defending the Catholics for their willingness to speak the truth.
Dear Editor,
Re: Letter to the editor, “Solid argument lost in
translation” (Tribune, June 21, 2012).
Letter writer Cory Houghton wants everybody to be certain
that Alan Pickersgill did not attack the Catholic Church in one of his recent
columns. So, in a fairly nuanced way he tries to defend
Pickersgill, and at the same time scorns the idea that Catholic Christian,
Betty Karl, has any right to feel attacked.
It amazes me that Houghton has the audacity to say to
someone in a faith tradition that they have no right to their feelings. Who
does he think he is? Then in a surprising turn he, himself, proceeds in the last
half of his letter to specifically attack the Catholic Church for some of her
public stands on morality, and her persecution of various groups some 500 years
ago.
Frankly, I too, grow tired of the almost constant drum beat
of attack against Catholics. And no I don’t agree with every Catholic position.
In fact I am an Evangelical Christian with a different faith tradition. But I
recognize that the Catholic Church is one of the last bulwarks of defence
against the rampant tide of immorality sweeping the West.
Among other charges, Houghton claims that the Catholic
Church is linked with homophobia. I’m of the strong opinion that there is a
much more sinister phobia on the loose. There is a growing animosity toward Christian
values found in virtually every level of society.
Yes, I speak of Christophobia. It is very much present, and
is growing. I long for the day when the
media will begin to report on it.
Royal Hamel
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