MC Canada responds to CBC questions about same-sex legislation

Winnipeg, Man.

On February 17, Dan Nighswander, general secretary of Mennonite Church Canada, appeared briefly on The National in response to CBC television's request for reaction to the proposed same-sex marriage legislation.

The story focused on the Hutterite reaction to the legislation. "They rarely get involved in politics, but Canada's Hutterite communities have made an exception, jumping into the same-sex marriage debate, sending a letter right to the top," said news anchor Peter Mansbridge in an opening to the story.

When the CBC invited Nighswander to comment on the legislation, he regarded it as an opportunity to witness to the broader Canadian society about the church's convictions, and to do so with grace. "We have a history of standing by our convictions no matter what the government or other people have set as their values and practices," said Nighswander in the news report.

The report went on to quote excerpts from a letter sent by Nighswander to the Prime Minister and other government leaders, which states, "We believe that God intends marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman for life," and, "It is our intention to retain the practice of blessing and sanctifying marriages according to our convictions."

Many people still regard Canada as a "Christian nation." But that view is increasingly challenged both within and outside the church, said Nighswander. "A key conviction of Anabaptist understanding is that the church cannot assume that government or society is aligned with Christian beliefs."

"As Christians, our starting point is to understand the mission of God and the church in the world. Especially because we live in a democracy, we testify to the legislators and the population about our values and beliefs, but we do not expect non-Christians to share those until they come to faith and to maturity in faith."

"Mennonites have a long history of being in the world, but not apart of it," Nighswander said, adding, "While this issue is important, I pray that the media attention and the churches' attention to this issue will not distract Christians from the other important work that God calls the church to do in the world."

-From MC Canada release by Dan Dyck