Coexistence policy
By James Komar, The StarPhoenix October 31, 2011
Re: Christians ignored (SP, Oct. 24). As a committed Christian, I understand Joe Campbell's concerns, but disagree with his conclusions.
Not all committed Christians think alike; nor do the committed adherents of other faiths.
In Canada, Christians vote Conservative, Green, Liberal, and NDP, etc., the same as those committed to other faiths. To coexist, we uphold the separation of church and state. Thus personal religious conscience cannot justify doing something to our neighbour that we would not wish done to us, no matter what is our faith.
Verbal condemnation of something that offends our religious conscience is one thing. But verbal condemnation all too often incites physical violence and deprivation of civil liberties against the condemned, as in Hitler's Germany against Jews or, until recently, in Canada against gays and other sexual-minority citizens. And when the condemned fight for their democratic rights, anarchy and civil war can follow.
I disagree with Campbell's viewpoint as much as he probably does with mine. In our disagreement, let us remember what Jesus said: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." All of our faiths teach tolerance and love. Do any of them, even ours, have a monopoly on truth?
James Komar Saskatoon
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