Dear Editor:
I was shocked to hear the news of the horrific attack on a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. I have visited New Zealand, I have relatives in New Zealand and several friends in Christchurch.
The actions of the shooter who has, at first count, killed 49 people, should shock any civilized person. While he quoted various past attacks by Muslims against Christians, his actions can only be condemned. The shooter can not be a sincere Christian or he would have known Jesus’ teaching: “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
He should remember that the Christian church was established under attack by the Jewish authorities; it grew rapidly under Roman persecution, and continues to grow in countries that attempt to restrict it. The problems in many of the mainline churches in Canada is that people are ignoring them; perhaps if he wanted to oppose the Muslims, he should have just ignored them.
At times like this, I can only ask the obvious question: why do authorities allow assault weapons, such as this shooter used, to be legally available to civilians?
Jim Measures,
Clifford
(Editor’s note: Last week, after this letter was submitted, the New Zealand government announced plans to ban all automatic, semi-automatic and military-style guns).