Readers Speak Out: September 27, 2020

Ensure equality

Canada is not a racist country. This is so obvious that it feels wrong to have to say it. Yet we saw this charge, of systemic racism, in The Register’s Sept. 6 issue.

Of course, there has been racism in Canada. Humans are herd animals. We instinctively favour people who look like us. This tendency is unworthy of us as Christians, objectively unjust and we must fight it daily. As St. Paul tells us, there is no Jew nor Greek in Christ. We are all children of the one Father, all brothers. 
Claiming racism is systemic in Canada is different.

Envy and lust are also instinctive. It does not follow that they are encouraged by the system. Rather, our system and social norms are designed to restrict them.

Most nations are based on race. Black’s Law Dictionary defines “nation” as “A large group of people having a common origin, language and tradition and usually constituting a political entity.” Canadians have no common origin. At a uniquely early stage, before Britain, France or the U.S., all Canadians were accepted as civil equals, despite race, creed or place of origin.

The Canadian system and society has developed to ensure equality and prevent discrimination. Our constitution prohibits laws that discriminate. Our federal system allows minorities to be self-governing. Given that all other systems known to man are more racist than this one, this demand to overturn the system is hardly progressive.

Stephen K. Roney,

Toronto

Deeper step

Re: Bishops join forces condemning racism (June 21):

How unfortunate that Rose Galbraith would “take offence” at the sincere writing of Archbishop Don Bolen of Regina.

Let’s not quibble about words. When someone compares the suffering of one person to the suffering of Christ essentially they are helping the rest of us to take a deeper step into the mystery of redemptive suffering. Personally, I found it quite compelling and moving to know that Archbishop Bolen spent some time reflecting on the impact of the actions of George Floyd’s persecutors on him. We can hopefully appreciate that today Christ’s suffering in any human being is again a calling to mind and heart the deep implications of just what it meant for Christ to have suffered as He did when amongst us in the flesh.

It is a disservice to write Archbishop Bolen’s reflections off as disrespectful and hurtful to the person of Christ. I in no way believe that anything offensive to the spirit of Gospel love, charity and justice was written by Archbishop Bolen. I hope Galbraith gives him another hearing.

Karenanne Joy Krofchek,

Regina, Sask.

Spiritual force

Thanks to Luke Stocking for his article Sept. 13 highlighting the need for a spiritual force in support of a green agenda for Canada and the For the Love of Creation e-petition.

The petition offers Christians and others of conscience and faith another important opportunity to lend their voice to a just transition to effectively reduce Canadian carbon emissions while supporting Indigenous peoples and people impacted by the climate crisis and pandemic in the Global South. The petition is easily available via the KAIROS and Citizens for Public Justice websites. It closes on Oct. 6.

Your voice is needed more than ever. 

Beth Lorimer,

Ecological Justice Coordinator

KAIROS Canada