Yesteryear

Not All Religions Valid.

I happened upon this at work today, someone brought in a copy of the Montreal Gazette for some unfathomable reason [must of picked it up en route from somewhere] and as they were reading it I perused along with them and happened upon the following article. I was hoping to find a link to it, but it would seem that the Gazette online does not have it. [Grrr] So until I actually find a link, here's some info ~ Montreal Gazette; Wednesday, July 24 2002; 'Defend the Faith' by Harvey Shepherd. [I can't even find it through a search. All rather annoying.] The rest I shall 'cut and paste' in.

The article goes on to quote Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic as he addressed pilgrims from around the world, who states " When occasions arise, we ought to present, calmly and confidently, the faith that we live by; we must refuse to feign the politically correct tolerance which imagines all religions and convictions and values are equally valid." He goes on to say "through us, the world is to be drawn to Jesus, and through him to the Father."

Needless to say I am somewhat appalled. I have no problems with people expressing their religious views but this statement is too reminiscent of an age past in which the Church believed that they were the chosen and that anything outside of them was to be considered heretic, squashed and brought to the light of 'God'. How can anyone make such a statement today? How can someone assume that theirs is the only valid path, in an age that is supposed to show tolerance? How can one person honestly and truly believe that there may be religions, or values that may not be considered just? Are not all religions, beliefs and values based on a common system? Do we not all teach our children to respect our fellow man, to respect the world we live in? Do we not all have the same basic sets of morals? If so, wouldn't this indicate that all of these are valid? Does it honestly matter what belief system we choose to follow, or not follow for that matter? Doesn't the Church preach that all man was created equal, and if so how can one say that to acknowledge those outside of ourselves is just a form of political correctness which should be refuted.

In a sense I am somewhat speechless, and cannot come up with any other thoughts aside from the questions listed above. I just want to vent, scream and beat my fists up against this man, shake him until he opens his eyes and realizes that its diversity, not uniformity that gives the world it's flavour. That acceptance of others is what will bring peace to this world and not the blind view that anything that differs should be considered as an evil, as something that should be brought to a better light.