Readers write

Catholics and Protestants

Re: History lesson (Jul/Aug 2020) when my Catholic husband had a Paulon-the-road-to-Damascus conversion 27 years ago, I thought he would become an Evangelical like me. He didn’t. Instead, he became passionate about evangelizing other Catholics. For over 20 years we have helped with Alpha courses in four Catholic churches in Richmond, B.C.

We now have a host of Catholic friends who are true Christ followers. Their theology may differ from mine, but they love Jesus, are filled with the Holy Spirit and are evangelizing others.

Kevin Flatt is right. We have to “remain on our guard against unfounded prejudices.” We can’t paint all Catholics with the same brush. They may not be in “our group,” but Jesus said anyone who is not against Him is for Him (Luke 9:50). Very simple.

Cathy Mogus, Richmond, B.C.

my own mother was so upset when a family on our street lost their mother. The new widower had several children to look after, but also had to go to work. Our family was not able to help, and unfortunately one after the other of those children got into trouble of some kind.

The mother died in labour – the doctors had to choose between the baby’s life or hers. A Roman Catholic priest was called, and church policy was to save the baby, even if it meant the mother’s death. My mother repeatedly voiced her anger and disapproval of that decision because of how much the husband and children suffered.

As you might imagine I was negatively affected by this. However, both my daughters married into Roman Catholic families, and I have worked and become friends with wonderful Roman Catholic people. By God’s grace my goal is to bridge the gap and encourage what we have in common.

Linda van Leeuwen, Caledon, Ont.

Is murder the right word?

Re: Behind the curtain of assisted dying (May/Jun 2020) in common usage today murder is the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another. Since MAID is not unlawful, I suggest whatever we call it, it shouldn’t be called murder. The specific sense of murder is that it’s unlawful.

David Guretzki states in a very straightforward way that the biblical perspective requires MAID to be called murder. But there is much killing in the Old Testament that is not called murder in the sense we understand that word.

I recognize a brief article like his doesn’t provide the platform for the detailed development of the theological points raised in my two questions. I also want to affirm I am in substantial agreement with the direction of his piece. And I hold both David and Maureen in high regard for their own suffering, and see David’s stance as all the more courageous in that light.

Sam Berg, Caronport, Sask.

Pilgrimage, Easter poems

Re: Mar/Apr 2020 issue i have no idea how this magazine miraculously appeared in my mailbox in March/ April, but I enjoyed it so thoroughly that I have now subscribed so I don’t miss any more! Your writers are intelligent, thoughtful Christians who encouraged me to think beyond the confines of my own region, church and small spiritual group of friends.

I read the issue from cover to cover and there were several articles I felt were so important, I shared them with friends and family. I particularly loved the Easter poems and the article on pilgrimage. Rarely do I find Christian material that resonates so thoroughly with me. Thank you!

Julie-Anne Daniels, Calgary