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The church’s culture war

I read Doug Wilson’s suggestion to address the cultural schism in Moscow by having representatives of his “church community” on stage with representatives of the “town” to have a cordial discussion. On the face of it, having a cordial discussion sounds progressive and friendly. The problem is that it’s Wilson himself who has caused the schism and is on record on national television and internationally as working to change our town by means of a culture war.

Then he complains about the “us” vs. “them” divide. How rude of us. It’s like someone coming to your door to take your house and then complaining because you don’t invite him in for dinner.

Wilson wants to erase or recolor Moscow’s “little blue dot” representing the caring, inclusive community that we treasure. In this case, blue represents the small “d” of democracy; our American values of separation of church and state; support for public education; equality of women; providing safe health care; respect for diverse religions; and valuing and protecting every person with “liberty and justice for all.”

It is typical of Wilson to do or say something outrageous like standing on a rainbow flag or circulating a book approving of slavery, and then say it was just a joke or misunderstanding. The hymn sing in Moscow City Hall’s parking lot may have been legal, but along with other words and actions it was clearly designed to facilitate Christ Church’s non-masking movement, making the pandemic an opportunity for more polarization and schism when we needed unity and help for the more vulnerable. The scars from that remain. We don’t encourage polarization, but neither can we accept Wilson’s plans for waging and winning a culture war. We must stay united, active, and peaceful for the sake of our community and its future generations.

Joann Muneta
Moscow

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The true church

A local columnist points to the cultural divide in Moscow, and recognizes correctly that Christ Church is a “burgeoning” Christian sect contributing to that division. Apparently he rues that fact.

My own church, alas, the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, contains numbers of priests and bishops who would probably agree with liberal, left-leaning Moscow-Pullman Daily News contributors on many festering social issues including homosexuality,

The Roman Catholic Church, in these times, is deeply penetrated by homosexual advocacy. The Holy See and Pope Francis seem to soft pedal the grave homosexual problems in their midst, though Mother Church clearly teaches against all forms of gay behavior and has always done so. Pope Francis prefers, rather, to push things like environmentalism and clean energy policy.

Though Doug Wilson’s Protestant ancestors broke away from the Catholic faith some 500 years ago, he and his (2,000?) followers, nevertheless, seem to demonstrate a simple, genuine faith in Jesus Christ. They properly assess our country’s current social ills in the light of the clear teaching of scripture.

If Pastor Wilson publicly trampled upon the gay pride flag, he was fully justified in doing so. That flag is a moral abomination. I’m afraid that too many so-called Catholics today proudly wrap themselves in it. Shameful.

But Pastor Wilson’s “church” is not the true church. Mine is, and she will, I believe, be fully restored to a glory surpassing the glory she experienced at her birth 2,000 years ago.

Timothy Moore
Potlatch

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