Remembering Christ’s plight

Sir, – I was interested to read the story “Church is in Crisis” (Courier, July 30).

The mainstream churches would not need to “boost their brand awareness” like some high street shop if they had remembered over the last few decades that Christ’s life and teaching was not only centred on forgiveness, love and compassion.

In fact it was the life of a courageous, passionate revolutionary who, by example, challenged and still challenges his followers how they can, in a non-violent way, not be afraid to refuse to participate in the rampant culture of deceit, hypocrisy, extortion and other selfindulgent vices.

Such a culture existed then as it does now.

It was not his forgiving love but his courageous non-violent lifestyle changing challenges to those around him which caused him to be crucified.

The “brand” mark of the church should be to constantly remind Christ’s (would be) followers that “loving forgiveness” is not to be equated with quiet tolerance of the all too evident vices within society, let alone participation in them.

Christ challenges each one of us who follows him to carefully evaluate our changing modern lifestyles and, at times, peacefully but firmly refuse to be part of it. AM Lindsay.

123 Raeburn Park, Perth.