Why persecute doomsday preacher?

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am relieved that Ian Boyne came to the rescue of doomsday preacher Michael Lewis in his column in The Sunday Gleaner on May 29. The persecution he faces by his own nation, his own people, follows suit to persecutions faced by prophets of old - even Christ himself.

I grew up in the Christian faith, and by choice was part of the Adventist Church.

From day one, when I heard what Mr Lewis said about the return of the Lord on a particular day, I did not panic, but I had to comfort some of my friends.

I hold nothing against Mr Lewis from the beginning because everyone has his/her own opinion. And in the Bible, Psalm 1 says that we should not be like chaff which the wind driveth away, which has been a favourite text of mine for years. This text has encouraged me to stand firm in what I believe.

Standing firm

Mr Boyne, they must leave Mr Lewis alone. Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. And the strange thing about it is, we are persecuting our own brother. He never disputed that a different God is coming from the Christian God we have come to accept. In fact, he has devoted himself to be so close to God that he thinks God will tell him when He shall return.

We should be encouraging him to stand strong in his faith, and correct him where he has gone wrong. Isn't the whole purpose of the Christian Church to strengthen, pray for, and give each other hope?

SARNIA WELLINGTON

Kingston