Evil tests our Christian resolve

To the editor:

Watching the TV movie on Pope John Paul II and seeing the courage of the Christian faith displayed by him and the Polish people in the face of the evil that confronted them has made me think about America and the evil we are confronted with.

We are faced with an evil from the outside opposed to Christianity that uses the same tactics of a state-financed rule of terror and from the inside a powerful, out-of-control anti-Christianity humanist government. Just as communism tried to break the back of Christianity in Eastern Europe, so our enemy is trying to dictate to Christians that we become godless in public and in private.

Culturally, this evil coerces us into a Christless holiday, a passionless spring festival, a sectarian history of our country's founding, including the religious influence that has been a driving force for good in our nation.

This evil spirit has even penetrated our business decisions, with more and more corporations and stores bowing to a no-Christianity policy, sometimes to the detriment of their profits and the Christian charities that do so much good for the poor, hurting, aging and tragedy-stricken people.

One question haunts me: Do we have the courage the Polish people had to fight against the evil of our day? More importantly, do I have that courage?

BRUCE COLLIER, Jackson