Standing up for the new heretics

Re: Lessons we can learn from Luther — Oct. 30

I read with interest this article by Prof. David Haskell. On first reading it, I thought the article was meant to be humorous because of its mention of Halloween, of college protesters blowing air horns during a public meeting, the elite purchasing slips of paper to rescue a loved one from purgatory, and the definition of heretic as “one who is able to choose.” On a second read I realized that Haskell was making a serious critique of so-called current day Western liberal democratic society with his references to politicians, academics and journalists attempting to enforce a Marxist cultural hegemony, and the power of modern means of communication to both support and refute that trend.

To Haskell’s critique, I would add mention of Bill C-51, currently before Canadian Parliament. Part of that bill proposes to remove those parts of Section 176 of the Criminal Code that provide specific protection for clergy and individuals to participate in religious services without interference or disruption. Prince Frederick III, elector of Saxony, came to Luther’s defence 500 years ago to spare him from death.

I wonder who might come to defence of heretics today to ensure that they are able to think and speak what they believe to be true, even though it does not agree with the cultural hegemony of our day. Peter Durksen Breslau