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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-05-04, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4,1994. From the Ministers Study, Killing, as old as civilization, pastor says By Randy Banks Walton-Bluevale Pastoral Charge A 27-year-old visiting British engineer is cut down on an Ottawa sidewalk - a random victim of a harrowing 20-minute drive-by shooting spree perpetrated by three young offenders. Subsequently, a 25-year-old graduate student is mortally wounded by three gunshots fired by her former boyfriend as she studies in her McMaster University campus apartment. A 23-year-old woman dies on an operating table from a sawed-off shotgun blast fired by one of three suspects who robbed patrons in an upscale Toronto cafe. And now, a seven-year-old Chatham boy has been bludgeoned to death by an 18-year-old killer. This unrelenting succession of malicious killings has taken place in the space of less than one month. This is Canada! What, we are justified in asking, is happening to what we used to believe was the safe, peaceable kingdom in contrast to our crime-ridden, gun-obsessed neighbour to the south? Fifteen years ago, there would have been a vociferous outcry for the reinstatement of the death penalty. Today, the response is somewhat more reasoned as people are advocating revisions to the Young Offenders Act as well as petitioning for tougher gun control legislation. I have never held or fired a loaded weapon. I have always found guns to be intimidating rather than fascinating. I can still feel the shivers racing up and down my spine whenever I recall a sight that I beheld in a Michigan town of 4,000. While stopped at a red light, I watched a man crossing the street, carrying a plastic bag filled with groceries in one hand and nonchalantly toting his rifle in the other. What, pray tell, was he expecting to have happen to him in that sleepy little town? I acknowledge the legitimate privileges of others to own and utilize guns for hunting, pest control, or collection. I certainly understand the obvious necessity for police officers to be armed. However, I tend to agree with Shaughnessy Cole, MP for Windsor/St. Clair who observes: "Handguns exist for the purpose of killing other people." There can be little doubt that the possession of guns by the wrong people will periodically result in their being used to kill or maim others. If these are not the guns for which there is registered owner­ ship, they will certainly come from among the fearsome array of rapid- firing, semi-automatic weapons that are being smuggled into Canada and sold for exorbitant black market prices. The prevalence of guns and the increasing number of bored, unem­ ployed, insecure, and alienated people form a lethal combination. It leaves us all contemplating the grim prospect that we, or our loved ones, might well become victims of random violence. We may perceive violence as being more predominant than it actually is. Crime statistics show that Canada's 1993 homicide rate of 2.7 per 100,000 people remains unchanged over the last decade. In addition, 40 per cent of accused killers are family members of victims and another 20 per cent are their acquaintances. Killing is as old as civilization itself. The laws of Moses with respect to killing and violence prescribed that "you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth..." (Exodus 21, 23, 24). The sixth commandment was very clear, succinct, and explicit in forbidding the arbitrary taking of another human life. (The execution of murderers and the killing of enemies in war were recognized as approved forms of killing.) It is noteworthy, however, that Cain, the first murderer, was not condemned to death but was, instead, banished from the community - a fate worse than death according to Cain: "I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth" (Gen. 4.14). Yet, the Lord assures him: "Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance" (Gen. 4.15). Our fear and consternation in these times, when violence seems to be winning the day, are not without foundation. However, my under-standing of Judeo-Christian theology is that violence will not be subdued by a reciprocal response of violence. Rather, all people of goodwill - whether Christian or not - are challenged to respond to violence and brutality by, first, affirming the sanctity and value of all human life and secondly, by bearing in our own lives the fruits of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control" (Galatian 5.22). BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Service "Supporting Families" - Church School - Nursery ************* 9:30 a.m. - Ethel Morning Worship Service - Church School Bless our homes and families Welcome to All Sou are. Welcome at the BLYTH CHURCH OF GOD 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults 11 -12:15 - Morning Worship Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Phone 523-4590 McConnell St., Blyth Good eats The gymnasium of Grey Central School was full of people on Sunday night as many gathered to enjoy the fare served at the annual Ethel United Church Ham and Turkey Supper. With dinner served from 4-7 the people in the kitchen were busy trying to keep the table laden with the delicious country cooking. Comes crfcon/fenence The congregation at Auburn Missionary Church heard Virginia Stright sing The Lord's Prayer a coppella at their morning service Sunday, May 1. The guest speaker was Gavin Wark of Kitchener, who is the youth co-ordinator of the Evangelical Missionary Church. Canada East. His message from Psalm 139 was "You are important to God." We matter to God because God loves us, he said. Pastor and Mrs. Came, Pastor Bob and Donna Lewis, and Elizabeth Bowman will be attending District Conference of the Evangelical Missionary Church, Canada East, in Kitchener this week. Mr. and Mrs. Wilfrid Lofft of Kitchener, and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Voelmle of Auburn were Sunday guests of Leslie and Dorothy Bolton, and Robert and Elizabeth Bowman. i BLYTH CHRISTIAN /ft REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH-523-9233 Sunday 10:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Mr. Robert Datema The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "Faith 20" Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX Sunday Faith 20 5:30 a.m. Weekdays, Global T.V. All Visitors Welcome Wheucnair accessible (youth Service May 15 at 11 a.m. Blyth United Church Special Guest - Bill Chaulk Everyone Welcome HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 Sunday 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11 a.m. & 8 p.m. - Gary Ungarian, Converted Night Club Entertainer Wednesday 8 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth - Pastor Bob Lewis, 526-7441 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00 a.m.- Morning Service - Sunday School - Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us. 9:30 a.m. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday May 8 - St. John Apostle & Evangelist (Patronal Festival at St. John’s) Holy Eucharist Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Rector, The Rev. E. Paul Acton, 887-9273 to be a part of Us at BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP Saturday, May 7 Sunday. May 8 Pastor: Tom Warner 887-6388 "YOUTH CAR WASH FUNDRAISER" at the Church Parking Lot 7:30 p.m. - COMMUNITY PRAISE 9:15 a.m. - Singing Tune-Up Time 9:30 a.m. - WORSHIP SERVICE 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School for All Ages Fellowship Meal to Follow EVERYONE TRULY WELCOME Elder: Alice Knorr 887-9203