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Readers express mixed feelings about the Forgiven Summit
Re: ‘First Nations forgiveness’ (July):
Forgiveness deriving from a religion-based initiative represents a small
minority – and not the majority of aboriginal peoples.
This is especially true if that religion was derived from attending residential
schools.
Stephanie M, by email
A famous president once said:
“I ‘choose’ to forgive, because I need forgiveness.”
There is not one of us who does not need forgiveness. For a Prime Minister to
admit we made mistakes regarding the aboriginal First Nations peoples took
courage – and it takes courage to forgive.
I’m thankful many have chosen to forgive, because Canada is now on course to
receive the healing these acts of forgiveness have set in motion.
The day is here, when all peoples of Canada speak with one voice – and share this great land as equal partners.
God bless the First Nations people of Canada – and God bless Canada!
Kevin Minor, by email
How can forgiveness be granted before the truth is heard?
The Forgiven Summit was not endorsed or even recognized by the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada.
In fact, one wonders about the timing of the summit, coming immediately prior to
the TRC’s first national event.
As a non-aboriginal Canadian, I do not accept or recognize this forgiveness’ – and as you know, neither do many First Nations across the land.
I do not feel ‘forgiven.’
Perhaps MP Rod Bruinooge should be more aware of his own government’s mandated Commission before supporting this bogus process.
Unless there is something more sinister at play . . . the government supporting
a process that works at cross-purposes to its own publicly stated,
court-mandated Commission, the TRC.
One is forced to wonder.
Lorraine Roach, by email
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I’m saddened by negative comments on the Forgiven Summit.
It’s not much different than what I hear all around me in the Downtown Eastside.
It’s the poison of bitterness. It keeps those who carry it in pain, and locked out
of life.
I know there is a huge cost to forgiving – but freedom comes afterwards. Here’s to the courage to forgive, and to choose life!
Lynne Cawker, by email
Catholic ideas are misunderstood
Re ‘Catholicism an obstacle to unity’ (Readers’ Forum, May):
As a Protestant convert to Catholicism, I found that many of my objections to
Catholic teaching and practice were misleading when I came to study the actual
teachings of the Catholic church.
Ron Hutchison points out in his letter that Jesus is the only mediator – and rightly so.
The Catholic Church, on the other hand, teaches that Mary is an intercessor,
just as we are intercessors. The misunderstanding lies in the choice of words.
With respect to Romans 3:23, Hutchison is referring to the doctrine of the
immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary. This scripture does not address
original sin, but rather wilful sin. The misconception again revolves around a
confusion of words – such as ‘all.’
The point I wish to make is that much of our division is in the misunderstanding
of each other’s language. So, before we make statements about the beliefs of another
tradition, we must inform ourselves as to what that tradition teaches, rather
than quote hearsay.
David Huxley, White Rock
August 2010
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I asked the waiter as to why we had not been warned. He stated that there was a poster at the door. I looked for it and saw it hidden on a side window of the restaurant. He turned off some of the TV’s but kept it on the big screens as it said it was an advertised Paid per View special for the restaurant.
I am asking for your help to get the CRTC to regulate and classify MMA. It should be "X" rated and not allowed on TV in public places where children are present at the supper hours.
Please pray about this and write the CRTC to investigate.
Jesus calls us to love. It is a value we need to instill in our children and grandchildren. MMA extols violence and is a blight on our society.
I hope you will pray and act.
Prayerfully
Rev. Dave Price
Abbotsford, BC