There are always those who misguidedly believe that "unity" trumps all else, including justice. Sadly, that is the view now taken by the U.S. Episcopal Church, which has bowed down to Canterbury's demand, on behalf of African Christofascists (who campaign in their home countries to make gays socializing together a crime) that it stop blessing same-sex unions and ordaining gay bishops.
Why the U.S. Church didn't break with Britain in 1776, I don't know. But unless the Episcopalians belatedly declare their independence, it makes no sense for gays to stay with them. This church worships the false idol of "unity" above all. It has chosen the dark side.
More. Have I over-reacted to what is, in effect, a "cooling off period"? Maybe, but it seems to me that gay Episcopalians have shown enormous loyalty to their church through the years. I don't see that being responded to in kind. Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria is an evil man who corrupts the essential gospel message, and instead of going the distance to placate/appease him, he should be called out for the promoter of hate that he is.
Larry Craig watch. On a much lighter note, catch this video.
14 Comments for “Genuflecting to Bigotry”
posted by Joel on
Not sure of the exact wording here, but according to the LA Times article, http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-episcopal26sep26,1,2240078.story?coll=la-headlines-nation The bishops “did not promise to ban the consecration of gay or lesbian bishops.”
posted by Greg Capaldini on
As Joel correctly points out, there has merely been an agreement not to ordain any more gay bishops for the time being. This represents an attempt to put things on hold and let everyone cool off a bit. Mature people do that sometimes.
posted by Thomas Horsville on
“This represents an attempt to put things on hold and let everyone cool off a bit. Mature people do that sometimes.”
Daladier and Chamberlain tried it in Munich in 1938.
It didn’t work.
posted by James on
I’m an Episcopalian. Here’s an email I just wrote to my Episcopal priest:
“I am also troubled about the Bishops’ statement
this week. The Anglican Church says that
homosexuality is sinful. That’s the bottom line.
There are individuals and dioceses which are
gay-friendly, but they have to work within an
organization which oppresses gays. This makes the
Anglican Church like the Confederacy–there are
certain states and certain plantations which are
nice to their slaves, but slavery is still the
law of the land.
I don’t think I can be a slave, grateful to my
friendly masters, in a Confederacy which still
supports slavery. I’m not sure I want to put my
energy into an organization which oppresses
me–I’m not sure what I gain by picking more
bales of cotton just to thank my masters for not
whipping me.
As pastoral as you choose to be, you could not
offer my marriage a blessing which carries the
weight of the whole church. Whatever talents you
might see me display in putting together this
liturgy, you could not encourage me to become a
priest with the hope I might become a bishop. And
that’s not going to change any time soon.”
posted by jerryd on
If I were still an Episcopalian, I might think taking a wait and see position could have benefits. I would, however, require that the money to support the world wide efforts of the Anglican Church be put on a wait and see basis as well.
The Anglican hierarchy is no different from the hierarchy of any other religion. Follow the money.5
posted by ETJB on
“But unless the Episcopalians belatedly declare their independence, it makes no sense for gays to stay with them. This church worships the false idol of “unity” above all. It has chosen the dark side.”
I love this. Gay Republicans tell us that they will stay with the GOP, but woe onto the gay Episcopalians who stay with their church….
posted by David on
The reason I stay, and I expect many people stay, is because we love our congregations. The Rev. Peter Gomes quip about the Episcopalians as “Congregationalists with mitres,” best describes how it feels to be a member of TEC. Nothing has really changed at the parish level, or even the diocesan level, and none of Peter Akinola’s threats can really change that.
Of course, my perspective may be skewed–I live in the diocese of Massachusetts.
posted by Craig2 on
I assume IGF feels similarly about the Bush administration’s courtship of Nigeria’s current corrupt regime*, which is being given carte brune by Akinola in terms of its vile homophobic legislation?
Craig2
Wellington, NZ
*led by a former military dictator. And while we’re at it, the regime has had an unpleasant history of ethnic cleansing…why hasn’t Akinola spoken up about that?
posted by Hank on
well said, James.
posted by Xeno on
Of course, my perspective may be skewed–I live in the diocese of Massachusetts.
So will your diocese marry you when the time comes? Same-sex ‘blessings’ seems like ‘marriage lite’ to me. It’s either full religious marriage, or the organized religion is flawed. either in doctrine, principle, or courage.
posted by Lori Heine on
“I love this. Gay Republicans tell us that they will stay with the GOP, but woe onto the gay Episcopalians who stay with their church….”
ETJB, I also find that extremely amusing. As a Lutheran, I’m always hearing the same thing — often from the same self-proclaimed gay “conservatives” who have made an art form of finding excuses for even the vilest forms of bigotry in the Republican Party.
Of course, the usual shriekers and panty-wetters will scream that we’re “gay leftists,” anyway — so what do we know?
posted by James on
I, too, have many friends in my church which makes it difficult to leave. A lot of blacks stayed on the plantations out of friendship and loyalty to the masters that treated them well. I think it takes courage to recognize that genuine freedom, and knowing you are free, is more important than a group of people who are nice to you.
posted by Brian Miller on
I don’t see why this is an issue relevant for people who aren’t Episcopalian.
If they decide to stay or split, it’s an organizational matter for their religious corporation, not something that particularly relates to us. It’s about as relevant to gay commentary as who owns Chrysler and what the corporate organization of its international operations will look like after an international overhaul.
posted by Lori Heine on
The simple fact is that if we all leave every institution and organization the homophobes want us to leave,we won’t have a place anywhere.
I rather thought that was the whole point for you gay conseratives: to stand up for your right to be part of the human mainstream, instead of letting the bullies and thugs shove you into the margins.
I guess I misunderstood something somewhere along the line.