Taken from March 2002.
Question: I am deeply concerned about the increasing frequency of articles and comments in TBC that are harshly critical of Calvinism....To disagree with us on theological issues is understandable. But to verbally attack "us" because of our theological understanding is quite another. ...[W]e are your brethren in Christ, not a bunch of Moonies....In the December 2001 issue of TBC , an unidentified person made a blatantly inaccurate and defamatory editorial comment following the Associated Press item of 11/14/01...that said, "Whether it's the Catholic Inquisition or Calvin's Geneva or one of today's Islamic states, 'a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still!'" The inescapable conclusion is that Calvinism is equally oppressive and erroneous as Roman Catholicism and the Taliban demonic Islamic "faith."
Response: I appreciate your concern. However, you seem to have misunderstood what was said. For example, the editorial comment to which you object refers specifically and very pointedly to "Calvin's Geneva," not to Calvinism in general or to Calvinists. Yet you have made that connection. I think, also, that if you would read again the editorial remark (made by T. A. McMahon) you would see that he is not equating even Calvin's Geneva with the Taliban and the Inquisition--although Calvin was widely known as the "Protestant Pope of Geneva." The only connection he has made between them is the common attempt to force people to change their belief....
If you are familiar with "Calvin's Geneva"--the scores who were burned at the stake, the floggings and torture and banishment of those who disagreed with John Calvin--then you would understand what was said and that Calvinism in general and Calvinists of today were not the subject. If you are not familiar with what occurred in Geneva under John Calvin, then please consult some accurate and unbiased historical accounts for yourself.
