It was refreshing to read Ken Kully's letter (Gazette, June 20). He did well to point out from Scripture that, although Jesus taught us to love one another, He did not spare those who did wrong. Just read Matthew chapters 5-7. Christians (as followers of Christ) must also love those who do wrong and sometimes that means telling them that they are wrong. Now, it may be true that Jesus did not specifically mention every wrong lifestyle but the context of the Bible is clear.
Over the last few decades our society, with the influence of politicians and social media, has become more and more secularized. This is concerning. Even more troubling is that human rights continue to be redefined. Trinity Western University was just told it cannot offer law degrees because of its Christian faith statements. Christian students who want to apply for the summer jobs program are told to sign on a dotted line to indicate that they have no problem with the practice of abortion. This leaves students who have conscientious objections to abortion without opportunities that others enjoy. Then there is the issue of parents being left in the dark about the choices their children (at a very young and vulnerable age) make at school and among friends. By law they are not allowed to drive cars until they are 16, but they can decide what gender they would like to be(come) in the primary grades, well before they can discern or judge what is truly best for them.
It is obvious that over the last few years there is an agenda to force everyone to agree with the government’s (and media’s) perspective on moral issues. Where does this leave Christians whose consciences do not allow them to agree with these changes?
Our country, Canada, has a long history in which Christian principles were respected. Now, however, it appears that these Christian principles are trampled upon, especially by our leaders such as Education Minister David Eggen, who wants to force all schools – public, independent or home schools – to comply with his government's position on what is now called gender identity. Parents can be left in the dark regarding the choices their children make. Whose children are they? The school’s, the state’s or the parents’? The answer is obvious. Parents entrust their children to the care of teachers/schools for the purpose of educating them on their behalf, not taking away their authority with regards to their children’s basic needs. Let’s not let our schools become state-controlled schools where parents have no say in what their children are doing.
So, I ask the question: Are Christians becoming more and more marginalized? The answer is obvious. It is my prayer that our governments, federally and provincially, will see fit to maintain human rights and freedoms for all.
Bernard VanRaalte, St. Albert
