Harper’s support for Israel lauded

Stephen Harper has made it clear he will continue to support Israel, even if it costs Canada popularity, internationally. For this he should be applauded, not criticized.

It is not that Israel is faultless, or should be exempt from legitimate criticism; but they are the only democracy in that region– and the only nation on earth whose very existence is constantly threatened.

Why does the UN, the media and the world at large turn a deaf ear to the never-ending threats of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to wipe Israel off the face of the planet, as he fiendishly pursues acquisition of nuclear weapons?  

How is it we remain indifferent to the increasing anti-Israel rhetoric that continues to take place at Canadian universities?

Why is the UN planning a third Durban conference next year, when the two previous fiascos were only racist platforms for pro-terrorist and anti-Semitic speech?

Harper has done the right thing. Principles should always trump votes, and we can all be proud of a Canada that is willing to stand up and be counted.

Gerald Hall, Parksville

Martial arts not a problem

Re ‘No to family friendly violence’ (Readers’ Forum, December):  I read this letter with some amusement. The writer is confusing two issues in his mind.

First, martial arts has nothing to do with ‘family friendly’ violence. Family violence is a horrible thing to experience.

Secondly, the mixed martial arts is a legitimate sport.

I assume that if the writer’s grandchildren can’t watch this show, then he also won’t let them watch westerns and hockey – nor should he ever mention the great Muhammad Ali.  

They are showing this sport in that restaurant because, clearly, there is a demand for it. If this troubles the writer, then he should go to a different restaurant.  

I happen to enjoy this sport; and I also love hockey and love the fights. The reason I do has nothing to do with ‘family violence’ – which is something I have personal experience of.  

I believe the writer’s prayer will actually go unanswered. Jesus himself taught that, the closer we get to His return, real (and horrible) violence would actually increase. And He wasn’t talking about sports violence.

Earl Banks, North Vancouver

Support for Khadr misguided

Re ‘Why has the church failed Omar Khadr?’ (December):

Khadr was on trial for the murder of someone’s father. I challenge the writer to stand before the victim’s widow and children, and declare the views expressed in this editorial.

The fact that Khadr is a Canadian citizen is meaningless in this case. When an American commits a crime here, that person is tried under the law. Canadians would object to someone being treated differently because of their citizenship.

Secondly, at 15 years of age, someone is old enough to realize the difference between right and wrong.  

I agree with much of what the editorial said, but I think the reasoning is wrong headed. If the church should stand up for Khadr, it should be because he is created in God’s image, and is therefore valuable. But it is a serious mistake to understate the gravity of his crime.  

Ken Light, grad student, ACTS Seminaries

Diabetes is not an affliction

Re ‘How to live successfully with diabetes’ (January):

I would like to clarify something regarding our Diabetes Self-Management Program.  

With respect to people who live with this disease, we would not refer to diabetes as an ‘affliction.’  We prefer to call it a ‘condition’; whereas ‘affliction’ has a negative connotation.  

Part of what we do in our workshops is to help people feel more confident about managing their diabetes. This can be done through healthy lifestyle choices, positive thinking and managing difficult emotions. The word ‘affliction’ might make some people feel they are stricken with this disease.  This does not help people manage their diabetes.

 I also noted one minor error: the workshops are 2.5 hours, not 2 hours.

We did very much appreciate the coverage you gave us. I just thought I should point out that we all need to use more sensitive word choices when writing about people with chronic health conditions – who struggle, and yes, succeed.

Rhonda Carriere, Centre on Aging, Delta

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Christianity as an attack dog

People have seen much of Christianity become an attack dog over the last few decades, as some of its followers criticize everything from homosexual persons, to other varieties of Christianity, to non-Christian groups. Televangelism, with its emphasis on power and prosperity, has disgusted many.

Increasingly, outside observers are seeing less that is positive or appealing.

However, a decrease in church attendance doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in atheism. It may simply mean that there seems to be no link between people who are religious and a God of omnibenevolence.

Christmas, which should be a time to celebrate the birth of Christ and think of those less fortunate, has become a time for some believers to closely monitor businesses – to make sure they wish their customers ‘Merry Christmas’ rather than ‘Happy Holidays,’ or face a boycott.

The latter kind of Christians insist there is a ‘war on Christmas.’  I suspect that this claim does more to turn people off than any poster campaign by atheists.

 H. (Bart) Vincelette, by email

Armageddon over it, already!

Re ‘Debate continues over Armageddon Factor’ (January):

I’ve read the Marci McDonald book for myself, and I find it amusing that a lot of old-timer Christians have responded to it with rather knee-jerk reactions.

Steve Weatherbe’s comment seems to fall into that category. I’m sorry, but I’m not convinced he has actually read the whole book.

I’m also tempted to say, to those who are still complaining about this book: get over it, already. You make Christians look like a bunch of whining spoilsports.

John Wilkenson, by email

Stopping slavery in our own backyard

Every year, approximately 27 million individuals are trafficked around the world.  There is a hope, a plan, and a destiny for each one of these lives – and that does not include slavery.

Human trafficking is defined as human beings being bought and sold for the purposes of sexual or labour exploitation.   This includes people (mostly women and girls) being recruited, transported, harboured and received. Modern day slavery is hidden – and it’s in our own backyard.  

The 37.5 billion dollar industry of human trafficking is a global injustice; but there are simple actions we can take here at home to combat this problem.

Some of us are writing to call all newspapers and print media to review their acceptance of advertisements that sell escort services – in other words, ads that sell bodies.  

We are also asking the Fraser Valley Regional Library board to review its policies around accepting newspapers that graphically advertise the selling of women’s and men’s bodies.  We are asking that the distribution of such publications to libraries be immediately ended.  

It is completely unacceptable that public funds and facilities are distributing newspapers that graphically advertise the sex trade. This is not about censorship; rather, it’s about helping to stop anything that encourages the sale of bodies in any way.

What would you do if your daughter, granddaughter or someone else in your family was lured into the sex trade?   It is estimated that the average age of a first-time prostitute is 12.   No 12 year old – or any other human being – should be forced into this trade.    

It’s time we take a stand, and see an end to modern day slavery in our lifetime.  

Mother Teresa once said: “You can do no great things – but you can do small things with great love.”  

Todd Hautpman, by email

February 2011