Stephen Harper, PM of Canada, continues to show his colours. And they're nasty.
Bill at The Art of the Rant and I have been having a discussion over compassion and forgiveness and Romans 12:19-20 (NIV, UK)
"19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.
In verse 17, Paul says, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody."
The problem for Harper is that people who need to control every aspect of life around them have too much fear and distrust to allow God to act on their behalf. Harper also is not being careful as instructed in verse 17. He has snubbed Ontarians by snubbing our Premier. He is snubbing Canadians by snubbing the conduit between him and his government and us: the press. Even President George Bush manages to graciously hold press conferences after meetings with leaders, despite years of mocking his speech.
The Bible is clear: we are to behave with Grace. We are not to snub our enemies, but instead treat them well, for by treating them well we show them to be the barbarians we believe they are and to show them that they cannot reduce us to their level. Harper has come down to the level of the press. He is as arrogant and full of himself as they are, he is repaying as they repay, and he censors what he doesn't want said.
This is not Prime Ministerial -- I expect higher behaviour from our top leader -- and it's certainly not Christian. He is a hypocrite to our faith. I wonder if his minister has had the guts to point that out to him?
Bill at The Art of the Rant and I have been having a discussion over compassion and forgiveness and Romans 12:19-20 (NIV, UK)
"19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.
20 On the contrary:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Harper claims to be a Christian. He goes to church, seemed to observe the sabbath during the campaign, says, "God Bless Canada" yet he intends to have his revenge on the press and the Liberals whom he seems to despise and consider his enemies and whom he believes persecuted him. But God is very clear on this point: we are to leave room in our lives for Him and to allow Him to take care of our enemies. It is not for us to repay, but for God.In verse 17, Paul says, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody."
The problem for Harper is that people who need to control every aspect of life around them have too much fear and distrust to allow God to act on their behalf. Harper also is not being careful as instructed in verse 17. He has snubbed Ontarians by snubbing our Premier. He is snubbing Canadians by snubbing the conduit between him and his government and us: the press. Even President George Bush manages to graciously hold press conferences after meetings with leaders, despite years of mocking his speech.
The Bible is clear: we are to behave with Grace. We are not to snub our enemies, but instead treat them well, for by treating them well we show them to be the barbarians we believe they are and to show them that they cannot reduce us to their level. Harper has come down to the level of the press. He is as arrogant and full of himself as they are, he is repaying as they repay, and he censors what he doesn't want said.
This is not Prime Ministerial -- I expect higher behaviour from our top leader -- and it's certainly not Christian. He is a hypocrite to our faith. I wonder if his minister has had the guts to point that out to him?
Comments
That said, it is nice to know we share a mutual dislike for Mr Harper.
Harper's reclusiveness may not be a control issue but introversion? However that too is not a good sign in a PM.
Speaking as a person who was an introvert, the CBC's hypothesis is a bunch of hooey. Yes, as an introvert, public speaking is terrifying, but if you have the courage to campaign, you have the courage to speak as PM.
Speaking as a former control freak (not in the leagues of Harper, I must say) I know a fellow controller when I see one.
Yeah, I can see the 12 step program for control freakiness is working pretty good, eh.