Past writers failed to account for opposing views
Seniors Jeremy Simon and Kyle Peterson
Issue date: 3/16/06 Section: Letters
Both Robert McElwaine and Joseph Johnson made some valid points in their letters. It is apparent that both men have agendas. Mr. McElwaine tries to sell a book at the end of his letter, whereas Mr. Johnson repeatedly makes arguments for Catholicism, not Christianity as a whole.
In his letter, Mr. McElwaine makes a statement "Christianity is really DEAD!" If this is true, then why does one-third of the world identify with Christianity? Although Mr. McElwaine is somewhat correct in his interpretation of the Nicene Council, he discredits himself by using flamboyant wording (i.e. "BRUTALLY HIJACKED," "PERVERTED"). The Nicene Council was important because it took the many differing views of the bishops dispersed around the Mediterranean and formed a cohesive Christian ideology. However, the Council was selective in its choices of beliefs. Many differed from the immediate teachings of Jesus and the gathered bishops.
The rest of Mr. McElwaine's letter is accusatory and lacks fact. Likening every Christian clergy worldwide to a "convicted former televangelist Jim Bakker" is bigotry. Mr. McElwaine claimed Jesus was a Vairagi Mater. When researched online, the Vairagi Order seems to have been based out of India and to have held brief popularity with cults in the 1960s. Where is the connection to Jesus? After yoga and the laws of the universe are discussed, Mr. McElwaine ends his letter with a book plug. This shows Mr. McElwaine resembles the televangelists that he scorns.
Mr. Johnson makes some questionable claims in his article. Jesus did not personally establish what we today know as the Roman Catholic Church. That evolved over hundreds of years under the guidance (divinely inspired or not) of St. Peter and the popes that followed. The Bible verses are what they are; one can take them as one likes. Mr. Johnson also implies that the Catholic Church is the sole bastion of Christendom, which isn't true; many sects trace their legitimacy as far back as Catholics.
In the end, both letters appear one-sided. One cannot make an educated argument without researching the facts of the opposing side and defining
your terms.
In his letter, Mr. McElwaine makes a statement "Christianity is really DEAD!" If this is true, then why does one-third of the world identify with Christianity? Although Mr. McElwaine is somewhat correct in his interpretation of the Nicene Council, he discredits himself by using flamboyant wording (i.e. "BRUTALLY HIJACKED," "PERVERTED"). The Nicene Council was important because it took the many differing views of the bishops dispersed around the Mediterranean and formed a cohesive Christian ideology. However, the Council was selective in its choices of beliefs. Many differed from the immediate teachings of Jesus and the gathered bishops.
The rest of Mr. McElwaine's letter is accusatory and lacks fact. Likening every Christian clergy worldwide to a "convicted former televangelist Jim Bakker" is bigotry. Mr. McElwaine claimed Jesus was a Vairagi Mater. When researched online, the Vairagi Order seems to have been based out of India and to have held brief popularity with cults in the 1960s. Where is the connection to Jesus? After yoga and the laws of the universe are discussed, Mr. McElwaine ends his letter with a book plug. This shows Mr. McElwaine resembles the televangelists that he scorns.
Mr. Johnson makes some questionable claims in his article. Jesus did not personally establish what we today know as the Roman Catholic Church. That evolved over hundreds of years under the guidance (divinely inspired or not) of St. Peter and the popes that followed. The Bible verses are what they are; one can take them as one likes. Mr. Johnson also implies that the Catholic Church is the sole bastion of Christendom, which isn't true; many sects trace their legitimacy as far back as Catholics.
In the end, both letters appear one-sided. One cannot make an educated argument without researching the facts of the opposing side and defining
your terms.