Q: "In the past few years, several church groups have apologized for
historical misdeeds. Is saying 'sorry' enough?"
The answer depends on circumstances. Let's note the worst: Native
children sent to residential schools as part of an attack on Native
culture. Clergy turn children into sexual toys; churches hush it up.
Churches manipulate people and the law in land grab schemes Acting out
of prejudice, lust, fear, and greed, religious groups participated in
hurtful actions. Is an apology enough? No!!
Are you asking, Should there be penance? Reparations? Payments to
victims? Fines as a deterrent? In societies where people seek
compensation through the courts, institution will be careful. Accepting
responsibility and a generous payment can lead to lawsuits.
Legalities can make even an apology complex. What might be done in an
ideal world? In the case of taking land it is simple; there must be an
apology, a return of the lands, and a fine which makes the church think
twice before doing such things again. In the case of children brought to
residential homes the solution would seek to restore the strength and
spiritual vitality of a culture, helping generations of Natives to heal
the fissures in their families and communities. Something more lasting
than "I am sorry" is needed; perhaps a foundation from which Natives
receive grants to strengthen their traditional communities - on their
own terms. For those sexually abused, now scarred by trust issues and
insecurity, churches must prosecute their own, see to it that this never
happens again, and set up funds for survivors and their families - what
was done will affect the family to the seventh generation. It is
appropriate for religious groups to stretch their resources to set up
such funds.
Nearly five hundred years ago, Dr. Michael Servetus, a "unitarian," was
burned at the stake by John Calvin for heretical views. Today a marker
placed by Calvin's family apologizes for that mis-deed. In the sixties
the Unitarians gave their Black Caucus one million dollars as
reparations for what white society had done to Blacks on this continent.
We, like many churches, have been given and have given apologies.
Is an apology enough? Sometimes, but not always. A mature institution
which aspires to high values will apologize and do more.
While churches are often singled out, governments apologize too. But, I
wonder, who apologizes for holes in the ozone layer, dead lakes and
rivers, smog, overfishing, near extinction of species, destruction of
rain forests and old growth forests, oil spills, dangerous and poorly
made toys, false advertising, the restrictive prices of some medicines,
etc. It would be better if everyone aspired to higher values. |
Index of Questions asked
by the Citizen and Readers . . .
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Q:
I am 16 years old and I'm pregnant. Should I have an
abortion?
Q:
We are a couple in love, but are from different religious
faiths. Will this be an obstacle to our getting married in a
religious ceremony?
Q: I
come from a background of athiests and I want to embrace a
religious faith. What faith should I choose and what should be
the basis of my decision?
Q: My
sister tells me that her husband is physically abusing her.
Should I recommend that she see her minister?
Q: How
much political commentary during a religious service is
considered ok?
Q:
Why are so many wars waged in the name of God?
Q: My
daughter has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. How can I
continue to believe in God?
Q: What
does prayer mean to you?
Q: An
openly gay member of our congregation has volunteered to teach
children in our church school. How should we proceed with this
request.
Q: My
son came home from school with a Christmas gift wish list as
long as his arm. I tried to explain that the spirit of Christmas
is giving, but I fear he may be getting caught up in the crass
materialism that detracts from the way our family traditionally
celebrates Christ's birthday. Without breaking his heart, how
can I keep him focused on the true meaning of Christmas?
Q: My
fiancé wants to have a religious outdoor wedding ceremony. But
as a non-religious, non-baptized person, I feel uncomfortable
with the thought of it. What kind of options do we have?
Q: What
are your views on gay marriage?
Q: Robert
Latimer's killing of his severely disabled daughter tracy and
Dr. Jack Kevorkian's first-degree murder charge for giving a
lethal dose of potassium chloride to a man with Lou Gehrig's
disease leave me feeling that there's something right about what
both men have done, yet uneasy because this could open the
floodgates to abuse. What do religious traditions have to say on
this?
Q: I
want to go back to religion after many years of not attending. I
am attracted to a conservative religion because of the sense of
spirituality I get at their services. I cannot practice this
orthodox religion because I am gay and have other theological
differences. Is it proper to attend their services when I do not
embrace all of their theological law?
Q: Stanley
Faulder's death-sentence in Texas for the 1975 murder of a
75-year-old woman has revived my own struggles with the death
penalty. I understand how some people, particularly family
members of murder victims, might feel justice can only be served
by taking an "eye-for-an-eye" approach to those that
kill in cold blood. But what happens if the wrong person is
convicted and an innocent person is executed? How has your
religious tradition approached this question?
Q: What
Difference does it make if I choose not to believe in God or
follow any religion? Why is going to church so important?
Q: I
constantly remind my grandchildren of the importance of
tolerance of people and their beliefs, causes and opinions.
However, I recently found myself at a bit of a loss when asked
to explain the violence during the Kurdish demonstration outside
the Turkish embassy last month, during which some police
officers were injured. My grandchildren don't understand why
something that doesn't involve Canada should place our notions
of peace under attack.
Q: Next
week marks Holy week and Passover, when Jews and Christians will
ponder notions of salvation and redemption. Given the
approaching new millenium, some may have apocalyptic thoughts. A
few might plan for the end of the world, the Second Coming, or
the arrival of the Messiah. But should next week hold any added
significance beyond the events themselves?
Q: Tomorrow,
I like Christians around the world, will mark Easter. Did Jesus
really rise from the dead and can His resurrection be proven
historically?
Q: Church
groups often champion the plight of poor people and denounce
vast accumulations of wealth, Yet many have considerable bank
accounts. Isn't this failing to practise what they preach?
Q: Is
there a Hell? If so, can you explain where it is?
Q: Is
the Bible really the word of God?
Q: I
have been pondering the contrition offered by U.S. President
Bill Clinton for misleading Americans about his relationship
with Monica Lewinski and by Prime Minister Jean Crétien for
failing to attend King Hussein's funeral. In some quarters, the
apologies have fallen on deaf ears and have generate highly
partisan aattacks on both men. While weset higher standards for
those who lead us, are we becoming too self-righteous and
overlooking the fact that they are only human?
Q: In
the past few years, several church groups have apologized for
historical misdeeds. Is saying "sorry" enough?
Q: As a
parent of four, I am outraged by the recent B.C. Supreme Court
ruling that struck down a section of the Criminal Code that
makes it illegal to possess child pornography. have freedom of
expression and the right of privacy guaranteed under the Charter
of rights and Freedoms taken precedence over basic morals?
Q:
My father is terminally ill and in constant pain. He
is talking about "ending it all," either in a manner
practised by Dr. Jack Kevorkian or by himself. Is this
morally right?
Q:
I have never understood salvation. What does it mean to you?
Q:
We recently experienced the terrible horror of the OC
Transpo killings.What is there to say to the family and what
message is there in it for everyone else?
Q:
The tragedy that has befallen Kosovo,
particularly its cruel effect on ethnic Albanians, gives me
proof that evil exists in the world and Yugoslav President
Slobodan Milosevic is doing the devil s work. To stop the
carnage and Milosevic, could one morally justify increasing NATO
s military operation, which could result in a global war and
claim more lives?
Q:
Why should we keep the reference to God in the Constitution?
Q:
American Baptist minister Rev. Fred Phelps has
threatened to bring his anti-gay message to Ottawa this weekend.
How far should we go to protect free speech, particularly when
it carries a religious context?
Q:
Does secularism qualify as a belief system and how would
your religion look upon secualrism?
Q:
Do Animals Have Souls?
Q:
Recently a Toronto clergyman married two homosexual
couples. Should Canada legalize same sex marriage?
Q: Who
is my Neighbour?
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