Friday, June 10, 2011

Presbyterian moderator critical of effects of political correctness

EVERY PHILOSOPHY seems to be tolerated except the philosophy based on Jesus Christ, the moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr Ivan Patterson, told his church’s annual assembly in Belfast last Monday night.

Dr Patterson (62), who was elected in February, was last night installed as moderator in succession to Dr Norman Hamilton, and will remain in the post for a year.

In his address at the start of the week-long assembly, Dr Patterson spoke about the effects of political correctness. “Jesus speaks about going extra miles; welcoming strangers; loving enemies; forgiving those who do us harm,” he told the 1,200 delegates and guests who attended his installation, which included representatives from the GAA, IRFU, the IFA and the new Sinn Féin Belfast lord mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile. 

"In our society Christians have had their wings clipped in our politically correct world. It would seem that any philosophy is tolerated except that centred on Jesus Christ.”

Dr Patterson continued: “We’ve seen how a Margate doctor, Richard Scott is before the Medical Council because he spoke to a patient of his faith. Now he may have to pay the consequences of which he says he is willing to do and so may we if we are to be faithful to the Lord’s commission.”