Sanctuary

In another age, men on the eve of battle had gone to churches to prepare themselves spiritually, intellectually, emotionally.
To incence, to candlelight, to the humility that the shadow of the redeemer pressed upon them.

In those days, every church had been open to all day and night, offering unconditional sanctuary.

Times have changed.

Now some churches might remain open around the clock, but many operate according to posted hours and lock their doors long before midnight.

Some withold perpetual sanctuary because of the costs of heat and electricity. Budget trumps mission.

Others are plagued by vandals with cans of spray paint and by the faithless who, in mocking spirit, come to copulate and leave their condoms.

In previous ages of rampant hatred, such intolerance had been met with resolve, with teaching, and the cultivation of remorse. Now the clerical consensus is that locks and alarms work better than the former, softer remedies.