LETTER
Reply on religion and proselytizing
Mr Thompsett (“Liberating the old & the sick” (on theocracy), May 22, 2019) fears something won’t end well, and my sense is that things never end well in a cult, and every religion originates as a cult. He makes quite clear that his style of Christianity demands of him that he proselytize, and he is not alone. Judaism, like Christianity, is fractured into many cults. Reform Judaism does actively recruit. No person just joins a cult, they are recruited, else they would not attach to a cult. I must also note that “taqiya” in Islam seems exactly like Peter’s thrice denying Jesus, an act of prudence.
His “holier than thou” attitude against atheists and “ersatz Christians” says volumes, and in some ways explains ridiculous questions like throwing away things because a cross of some sort is used in labelling. Note that the Red Cross originated in Geneva, Switzerland, and its emblem is a red cross on a white background, the inverse of the Swiss flag. There are 30 international flags incorporating a cross of some sort. Quebec’s Fleurdelise flag has a cross, too, yet I see no reason to change it.
Thompsett’s “someone once said” comment is ridiculous, inferring atheists can act without consequence just as Christians who merely “confess their sins” to continue their life “without consequence.” This leads him to a misguided fear of hospitals being staffed by “empathy free clowns” showing his lack of empathy for individuals who spend years to attain a “Medicinae Doctor” (MD) degree and a life of service to the benefit of patients. More too can be inferred from his “wondering what would happen if he...” Could he not come up with the obvious follow-up to his “if he...” notably “or she”. The implication to me is that of a paternalistic mindset which, like proselytizing, has no place in our egalitarian society.
His callous commentary of weeding out medical staff with a conscience is more ludicrous when weighed against his own fellow Christians, guilty of rape, pedophilia, Indigenous genocide, and all manner of other crimes, who continue their lives with little or no consequence, protected by the very church/cult professed to be the guiding light.
Believing that atheists, or those of any religion but your own, have no conscience is the strongest argument for these proselytizers being managed in the public forum. I do not deny anyone the right to believe whatever nonsense they choose to believe, but I will not abide those who feel it their right to proselytize within the confines of our political forum because that forum must be open to all citizens regardless of their belief system.
Ron Temchuk,
Aylmer
