From our Network:
Start your engines! Driving.ca is Canada's leading destination for the latest automotive news, reviews, photos and video.
Find out more ›
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

ROBINET: A poor example of Christianity

Because I’m not an ‘organized religion’ person, I have to say I found it frustrating in the past when hard core Christians defended the former American president and some of the shenanigans associated with him by using the Bible.

Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

There are apparently a number of passages within it that advise us that those in authority are in authority because they have been appointed by God.

Distroscale

Here’s one for example:

Romans 13:1 – “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

I like this; it’s short and to the point, but there are plenty of other passages with a similar message if you want to look them up.

Now, I don’t personally believe this but can understand how helpful it might have been in earlier times as a method of civic control.

That evangelical Christians have embraced this sentiment to defend behaviour which is far from Christian mystifies me, but as they say, it is what it is.

Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

But a lot closer to home, we’re now looking at people who purport to be Christians who are perfectly willing to throw this basic tenet out the window, which mystifies me as well.

Let’s take for example, Pastor Henry Hildebrandt of Aylmer’s Church of God.

He was among hundreds of people on hand for a rally here in Chatham last week, in what was a flagrant violation of Ontario’s current stay-at-home-order.

But, as Hildebrandt told the crowd, “I don’t care how many tickets they give me. We can wallpaper our walls with tickets.”

I’ve seen him referred to as a ‘maverick,’ though I tend to think of him more as a ‘rogue,’ but we all have our opinions on these matters.

What I can’t really consider him is a Christian and not just because he’s ignoring the Bible when it comes to adhering to the regulations put in place by the governing authorities.

Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Appointed by God or not, our governing authorities are our governing authorities. We don’t have to like that fact, but it is a fact.

They have been elected by a majority of those who took their responsibility to elect a government seriously enough to vote.

To be clear, I don’t agree with all the decisions that have been made and I am also very angry about this virus that has upended all of our lives. But, I try to blame the virus, not those who are charged with navigating us through it.

But, apparently Hildebrandt and his ilk – which included a couple of rogue politicians – feel that they are well above the law, and even worse, are willing to jeopardize the physical health of others.

Now, I went to Sunday School and church long enough to know that this is not something that either Jesus or a merciful God would support.

Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

So, what’s it really all about?

This No More Lockdowns Canada rally was part of a national road show which may well infect hundreds if not thousands of other people, thus prolonging this pandemic.

The fact that the vast majority of churches are continuing to serve their parishioners within the parameters laid out by the government proves to me that people like Hildebrandt are far more interested in generating some headlines than actually serving anybody beyond themselves.

I know there are those who view these people as heroes or ‘freedom fighters,’ but they’re not.

I also hear a lot about Canadians’ rights, but not so much about responsibilities.

And, sadly, I also see some people trying to equate this rally in Chatham with last year’s Black Lives Matter march from the WISH Centre to the municipal centre.

Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

They are in no way comparable, and I take great comfort from the fact that most CK residents understand that.

We are starting to see the legal consequences of actions taken by Hildebrandt and those who refuse to adhere to the restrictions established by the province.

Last Friday, he, his assistant pastor and the church’s corporation itself were found in contempt for defying a court injunction that was handed to the church in February.

A decision on whether the church will be locked down completely is expected to be made on May 13 and I’m sure there will be many interesting court cases ahead.

In the meantime, I expect that most who are charged with guiding people spiritually through this pandemic will continue to do everything they can do to keep their people safe in a very difficult time.

Stay well and stay focused my friends.

This Week in Flyers