A conversation at a party involving two under-40 journalists, one print, one radio, centred on the question of homosexuality and the Bible. Verses were cited, context discussed, morality, the purpose of marriage, relationships in general, sexuality and procreation all mixed with ginger ale and real ale. After more than an hour of intense discussion, Cape Breton fiddle music and Gordon Lightfoot only a few feet away, the younger participant observed sadly that people aren't interested in religion anymore. Interest in faith and spirituality declined too for a while. It is misleading to think that wars in the name of religion have nothing to do with religion.
Institutional religion is just the formal expression of what people believe.
And what people believe is always more powerful than what they merely think, rationalize. The battles and upheavals in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Sudan, Pakistan and the Middle East are about religion because religion and politics are the same in those regions. The fact is that Canadians are thinking about these issues and the debates are a good thing. Most people want substance. If the church is to have any credibility, if it is to challenge people, it must present clear, intelligent arguments.