Readers write: October 25, 2021 issue
No religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccines: MC Canada Mennonite Church Canada’s executive ministers released a statement at the end of September responding to inquiries from constituents regarding exemption from COVID-19 vaccines. It states: “For a religious exemption to be granted, rationale for exemption must be clearly indicated within our sacred texts or confessional statements. “We…
Readers write: October 11, 2021 issue
Idea of defunding the police based on false premises Re: “Defund the Police?”, Sept. 27, page 4. This response is not addressed to the generalizations made in this article (police “don’t prevent crime,” “officers spend most of their time…,” and “police are very effective at turning people into our enemies”), but to several premises in…
Readers write: August 16, 2021 issue
‘Big’ farmers can be ‘Christians with a conscience’ too Re: “Germinating conversations,” June 7, page 16. It seems to me that this article has been written with a negative outlook. Will Braun is right when he says that this is more a “rant” than an attempt to consider any other point than his own. It…
Readers write: July 19, 2021 issue
Beware of pulling up the crop with the weeds Re: “Author, bookstore owner dispute ‘censorship’ claim,” June 7, page 21. Censorship versus freedom of speech is a hot topic in the news and, rather than debate thoughtfully about it, we’ve again chosen to quarrel. Censorship, as in the silencing of contrary voices, is everywhere. It’s…
Readers write: June 21, 2021 issue
Columnist thanked for his ‘encouragement and inspiration’ Re: “Are you okay with okay?” April 26, page 11. What a fantastic reflection by Troy Watson. I am glad that he assumed this message was for someone, and that he let all of us who read Canadian Mennonite consider it for ourselves. It certainly was an encouragement…
Readers write: June 7, 2021 issue
Final letters responding to controversial vaccine letter Re: “Reader calls on Mennonites to reject COVID-19 vaccines,” April 12, page 7. I applaud Canadian Mennonite for printing the letter because it highlights the diversity of thought that we find within the Mennonite communities. I was employed in the pharmaceutical industry for nearly 40 years, so, contrary…
Readers write: May 24, 2021 issue
Doctors, prof and more weigh in on controversial vaccine letter Re: “Reader calls on Mennonites to reject COVID-19 vaccines,” April 12, page 7. I am disturbed by the publication of the letter calling on Mennonites to reject the vaccine offered to help people avoid the COVID-19 infection. It contains a lot of misinformation and, as…
Readers write: May 10, 2021 issue
Venn diagram needs political domain Re: “Avoiding an environmental shipwreck,” March 29, page 4. Thanks for Tim Wiebe-Neufeld’s feature article. I applaud his call to both personal and congregational responsibility to make decisions based on environmental considerations. While his colourful Venn diagram shows domains, all of them right and valid, that address a more responsible…
Readers write: April 26, 2021 issue
The value of solar power Re: “Avoiding an environmental shipwreck,” March 29, page 4. A few comments related to Tim Wiebe-Neufeld’s feature on reducing his carbon footprint by using solar panels. Before people run out to buy solar panels in the rest of Canada, they should be aware that Alberta is one of the only…
Readers write: April 12, 2021 issue
Reader calls on Mennonites to reject COVID-19 vaccines Re: “A duty to love our neighbours,” March 1, pages 1 and 18. I am deeply saddened that so many leaders of the Mennonite church are endorsing vaccinations for COVID-19, and that this magazine would print such a one-sided article. Surely there are some leaders who at…
