Christian values considered
Re: Intolerance diminishes Christianity, Letters, Dec. 29
Contrary to letter-writer David Van Blarcom’s assertion, the Trinity Western University policy of restricting extra-marital and homosexual relationships on campus does not “diminish Christianity.” It upholds the original teachings of Christianity on sexual behaviour since its origin 2,000 years ago.
Christianity is losing its influence on Western followers of the progressive godless ideology of modernity that sometimes fakes a religious attitude of tolerance but that comes at a great cost: the inability to find peace in one’s heart that only religious discipline, including rules of morality, can provide. JITI KHANNA Vancouver
Defenders of Trinity Western’s famous covenant keep referring to Christian values, and some accuse critics of being antiChristian. This is insulting to modern Christianity.
Religious traditions are not static — they evolve and diversify over time. Jews no longer sacrifice animals or stone adulterers to death. Mainstream Muslim clerics make it very clear that burkas, clitoridectomies and religious terrorism are not Muslim values.
Likewise, most Christian denominations no longer discriminate against people with an alternative sexuality or expect them to remain celibate. Plenty of devout Christians are in alternative relationships.
Evangelicals are not the Christian majority and do not have a monopoly on Christian values. I’m not even sure all evangelical Christians would agree with the idea of using a covenant to force celibacy on people who want to teach law or get a law degree. MIRIAM EGUCHI North Vancouver
Why are we are still having this discussion about discrimination against gays? If the Trinity Western University covenant said same-race married couples could have sex but mixed-race married couples must abstain we wouldn’t be having this discussion. The university would have been forced to change such a policy in short order. Sadly, there are still people who support TWU’s discrimination against gays. S.I. PETERSEN Nanaimo