Letters: threats to human rights, masks, where to pray

RE: China’s threat to religious freedom worrying religious rights leaders, November 16, page 15

China’s relentless war against organized religion began long before the Tiananmen Square massacre. The aim of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is to eradicate any form of religious belief, and to replace it with worship of the state and the party, replacing God with Xi and Mao.

As the article indicates, Canada has indeed been less than resolute when it comes to speaking up about religious persecution in China. Even with Canadian taken as hostages in China, our government has been tepid in its criticism of China’s gross human rights violations.

The reason many democratic governments have not spoken out against China may have more insidious and disturbing roots.

Ever since China started “opening up,” economically at least, the CCP has been devoting much of its resources to its United Front tactics. When an individual has been earmarked as a target of “United Front,” that individual will be subjected to challenges ranging from psychological, emotional, challenges to his or her principles, thinking, culture and character. This person would begin a friendship with the PRC, and would begin to overlook or forgive its past sins; they would find it difficult to turn down the PRC’s requests, not wanting to offend his or her new friend, and in turn carry out the edicts of the PRC, thereby losing the bottom line of his or her personal values and ethics. Those who succumb would not speak out against right or wrong, against injustice, and would cease to criticize the PRC – a complete success of the “United Front” tactics.

I dare say many Canadians, politicians and private citizens, have been the targets of China’s United Front efforts.

Former Canada’s ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, John McCallum, would be a perfect example. He seriously misspoke twice, blatantly taking China’s side and did not consider protecting Canada’s interests. Director General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom, might be another example. There is also evidence that Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President-elect Biden, has been the recipient of Chinese “investment” in his business.

I believe the only way to deal with the thuggish Chinese government is through finance. Businesses must begin to look for other countries to manufacture their goods and for their investments, hopefully countries with a less reprehensive human rights record. Individuals can also make the conscious choice of not buying anything manufactured in China. This is entirely possible, we just have to be willing to pay a little more, or buy fewer things.

China is taking advantage of its vast market as bait, and is riding on the wave of its rise of nationhood. Canada and other democratic nations must take strong actions, before the monster becomes truly invincible.

Patrick May
Vancouver

I would like to respond in Christian love to the letter by Ms Lorna Hessels in the November 23rd issue.
Three things. One, I would like her to inform us from which issue of the New England Journal of Medicine she read her quotation and to tell us who are the doctors who have protested the reaction to the pandemic. For the sake of truth, indeed, we have to be very careful where we glean our information from. We have to make sure of the credentials and credibility of those we quote as reputable scientists. Who is the “nationally recognized board-certified neuro surgeon” who goes against the doctors who cry out from the trenches of COVID-19 to wear masks?

My second point addresses charity. Doesn’t Jesus admonish us to love one another? Isn’t protecting others from what can be deadly for them charity? If you don’t want to wear a mask, do it anyway in Christian charity.

My third point is if you are concerned about “oxygen depravation,” research how patients with COVID experience that depravation. It is, by far, worse than how you feel with a mask.

Louise Deschênes
Burnaby

A brief conversation this morning put into focus the fact that there are many people out there who feel useless and are bored. There are also many people who are overwhelmed with extra work. Maybe The B.C. Catholic can build a bridge. Publish ideas and suggestions and reports of things done, a column titled: My precious hour.

Here is an idea: Rake leaves for people who cannot get out.

A bishop was asked, years ago, by parishioners, where to pray when the church was closed. His answer: “Try the street.”

Marianne Werner
Vancouver