A near miss for the United Church
When I was growing up, apologizing for something I did or failed to do was usually the best way to either avoid punishment from my parents or at least mitigate the inevitable retribution. It has always struck me that forgiveness inevitably starts with a simple, "I'm sorry."
As Christians, we know that repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation are fundamental elements of our faith. So if Christians want to present their faith as an attractive and empowering haven for hurting people, opening ourselves to ask for and offer forgiveness represents a tremendous tool for preaching true Christianity.
In recent years, many Christian denominations in Canada have embraced repentance for historical wrongs as a way to heal and move forward in fulfilling God's call to witness. Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants and evangelicals have all apologized to various groups. Perhaps the leader in this field has been the United Church of Canada.
The United Church formally apologized in 1998 for its role in forcing Aboriginals into residential schools. This year, an apology was issued to Japanese-Canadians for the church's role in confiscating property of Canadians of Japanese ancestry during World War II. In 2003, the United Church issued a document entitled "Bearing Faithful Witness," which decried the historical mistreatment of Jews.
So it is both appalling and shameful that this very same United Church almost threw all its good work (especially as it relates to its relationship with Jews) out the window by allowing a small group of anti-Semitic delegates at its recent General Council to propose a series of resolutions and supporting documents on the "Israel/Palestine" issue. The resolutions and materials amounted to what Bernie Farber of the Canadian Jewish Congress rightly called the United Church, "turning its back on us."
The fact that delegates came to their senses and repudiated three of four resolutions after scathing media and public outcry does not excuse the fact that the United Church harbours people within its ranks who are intolerant zealots.
The United Church can argue that it tolerates debate. And it can argue that considering boycotts of Israel because of alleged abuses of Palestinians is not an attack on Jews as a people. But the fact is, Jews rightfully consider an attack on the State of Israel as a veiled attack on Jews themselves and a sublime form of anti-Semitism. That the denomination at the end of its annual Council still directed its members to consider a future boycott of Israel, should they choose, shows that the United Church continues to be open to the moral perversion of modern anti-Semitism dressed up in "pro-Palestinian" garb.
The problem for Canadian Christians here is that the United Church's actions undermine the very acts of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation that might attract people not just to the United Church but to all Christian groups. Saying you regret past injustices inflicted on Jews and then accusing the Jewish state of apartheid will be rightfully seen by most Canadians for what it is: hypocrisy and bigotry.
How can we attract people to Jesus if we allow what the National Post accurately portrayed as, "just another left-wing tea-and-biscuit talk shop for supporters of gay marriage, unregulated abortion, and Palestinian rights" to be the face of Jesus?
The Christian faith in Canada is as diverse as the country itself. Protestants are divided into many groupings who disagree on matters of theology, social justice and even family values. Catholics are struggling with adherents who don't agree with the church's official line on sexual behaviour, abortion, birth control and other modern issues. Orthodox churches are seeking to break out of their ethnic ghettos. The Christian ethos that makes sincere repentance and forgiveness central themes of the faith should be a key to bringing desperate and empty people back to the pews.
Christians need to know that the path to forgiveness is not an easy one. Jesus forgave one and all with the provision that they "sin no more." He didn't free the tax collector, the prostitute and the sinner to go and pick on someone else.
I remember my mother once punishing me for talking back to her. With tears in her eyes, she meted out what was coming to me, not because of my bad behaviour, but because of my pride. My tears, in turn, were not because of the punishment I received, but because of the shame my own willfulness brought upon me.
As for the United Church, being held hostage by a godless minority that has watered down its glorious historical faith and replaced it with an empty theology dooms it to irrelevance. Not even a new "communications and media strategy" and a parallel $10.5 million advertising campaign can save the United Church from that. Start with "I'm sorry."
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
