Volume 40 Number 16 September 25, 2002

Church needs to speak out

Thank you for your editorial in the July 24, 2002 issue of The Messenger regarding the government and church positions on homosexuality.

I was very pleased with the last paragraph in particular. In it you commented how we influence the courts and governments as Canadian citizens. You wrote, "If we are the ‘silent in the land’ on this important matter (homosexuality), will the government and the courts know what we want for the church and for the well-being of wider society?"

I would like to add a few of my own comments to this issue. I feel very strongly about letting the government know my opinion, especially on issues that will have a detrimental effect on Canadian society. Some examples are abortion, the definition of marriage and homosexuality, and the right of parents to use corporal punishment.

When you look back at the time when the government was considering legalizing abortion, the church, I am told, was mostly silent. This played a large part in abortion being legalized. Those who did not speak up for the rights of the unborn child were, in my mind, responsible for the loss of the child’s right to live. Instead, those that yelled the loudest won.

There are those that oppose being "politically involved," and will cite Jesus’ example in their argument. They overlook a critical aspect, which is that Jesus lived with a totalitarian form of government whereas we live in a democracy. The government expects to hear our views and usually creates legislation based on public opinion. If we as a church are silent when moral issues hang in the balance, we may as well be standing with those who are attacking the very Judeo-Christian values we believe in. We will be aiding in the destruction of good.

Another stance is what I call the "martyr" complex. This is based on the verse in Matthew 5:11 which says, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." A person like this will look at all the evil going on around him and say that this is to be expected. It becomes an excuse for not acting to overcome evil.

Another excuse for not opposing evil in the courts and government is that "we are living in the end times" and all the horrible injustices that are occurring are predicted. But when you look back at history, there were many periods that reflected the "end times." World War Two and the Holocaust, and the time of the Roman Empire are two.

The Bible is full of verses calling us to uphold righteousness. Isaiah 1:17 says, "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows." 2 Thessalonians 3:13 says, "And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right." Romans 12:21 says, "Do not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." I do not believe these verses apply only to our private lives. Our government needs to see and hear the voice of the righteous standing up for righteousness.

Melanie Penner
Blumenort, Man.