April 6th, 2022: Understanding Symbols
Symbols are also problematic when people view and associate them with negative actions and perceptions that one group has towards another.
Many non-religious people might have an unfavorable reaction to the Cross. It can represent the dark time of the Christian church during the Crusade. Some might consider it a racist symbol because of how White Supremacist groups in the US use it. Some indigenous folks might also associate it with the history of residential schools in Canada.
Does that mean that the Christian church should not use the Cross as the symbol of their faith? Historically, it is about Jesus whom Christians believe as the Messiah and the Son of God. The Bible indicates that Jesus died on the Cross because of our sins. It also reveals love, peace, service, and forgiveness.
Many of these hate groups have betrayed the original meaning of the Cross. They represent nothing close to it. However, it does not mean Christians should neither stand firm and nor fight for what it means instead of being ashamed of it.
The Calgary Police Commission has instructed the Calgary Police Service members to remove the thin blue line patch from their uniforms in its most recent communication. Some community groups have looked at it as a symbol of hate, racism, and abusiveness (Black Life Matter included). Many police members and their families don't see it that way. For them, it represents the memories of those who died for the service of their community. It also shows their solidarity with the families of those who died in the line of duty.
We have gone a long way in incorporating different religious habits into our police uniform (the turban is one of those examples). So why are we unable to encourage our police members to be proud of their cultural and religious heritage and allow them to have the freedom to do so, and then deny them the chance to express their solidarity with one another?
Police officers should be held accountable for their actions, and no one should deny that. However, as we demand such accountability from police officers, we should not be given a free ride. For example, who is holding the BLM leadership accountable for the violence we have witnessed? Who are indigenous leaders answering to in dealing with the management of their reserves?
1 Corinthians 1: 18
"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
