Persuasion not coercion
Sir: I enjoyed reading James MacMillan’s passionate and provocative article (Arts, 2 February). His disquiet seems to be based around two related areas: modern liberalism’s ‘planned dismantling of the family’ and its ‘hatred of Christianity’. Although I share his Catholic faith I am unconvinced by his case.
There is nothing stopping James and his family from living a Catholic life in 21st-century Britain, but only 50 years ago I, as a gay man, would have been in prison. I understand his discomfort at the trendy dinner parties where he has had to keep silent about certain issues, but it depends which dinner parties one attends. For a gay person to face honestly the question ‘Do you have a family?’ is far more painful around a hostile table than to share one’s beliefs about how families should function.
On the second point, it is an unquestionable fact that we are living in post-Christian times. Although the message of Christ is still fresh (and, if G.K. Chesterton is to be believed, as yet untried), the voices which have proclaimed it are seen as hoarse and spent. ‘Preach the gospel at all times, and occasionally use words’ was St Francis’s gentle admonition, and a strategy of persuasion not coercion is the only viable way for the present-day Church.
Genuine liberalism is not to expect others to think as we do — something which liberals need to learn too! Christ taught that His Father causes rain to fall on good and bad people alike. Whether we Catholics like it or not, such watering has meant that growth and flourishing has often occurred in the most unlikely places. This is something to celebrate and build upon — and to discuss at the next dinner party.
Stephen Hough
London NW8
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