From Atrios:
Economist Arthur Laffer says:
If you like the Post Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles and you think they’re run well, just wait till you see Medicare, Medicaid and health care done by the government.
Watch the video at MediaMatters. No one calls him on it.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
"Who Do You Say That I Am?"
CARAVAGGIO - "The Crucifixion of Saint Peter" - 1600 - Cerasi Chapel, Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome
From today's Gospel reading in the Lectionary:
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.'
Mark 8:27-29
As I read the passage from Mark today, I felt a quickening at the words, "Who do people say that I am?" because I know what comes next: the question, "Who do you say that I am?" And that is the question of questions. Volumes have been written on those few simple words, but, in the end, the question is put to each of us singly.
"Who do you say that I am?" And what does it mean to answer with Peter, "You are the Messiah"? The implications are enormous, beyond what I can know. And if I answer with Peter, what then?
Image from The Web Gallery of Art
It's About Time!
From Ruth Gledhill in the Times Online (Again!):
The liberal fightback against Anglican conservatives and the Archbishop of Canterbury has begun. Open warfare is now declared.
Pro-gays in the Church of England are planning a survey of all LGBT clergy, in and out of the closet, in London, Southwark and throughout the Church. In the capital, they reckon, it is as many as 20 per cent. They are also intending to survey precisely how many gay blessings have been and are being done. Again, estimates put the number in the hundreds.
After that, bearing in mind the General Synod elections next year, they will make a push for the Church of England to approve gay blessings and gay ordinations to the priesthood and episcopate, as The Episcopal Church has done.
Early talks are already underway about forging permanent links between liberal parishes in England and The Episcopal Church, rather as the conservatives have linked up through the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans and related bodies. A new TEC outpost in London is one possibility being considered.
Oh my! Get me my smelling salts!
Even after reading this excellent news, I ponder why England slept for so long. It's way past time for the members of the Church of England who believe in justice and equality to take action. A good many of us here in the US and a few in England foresaw the next step of the power-grabbing chickens going home to roost in an attempt to take over the CofE. We've spoken out against the English flying bishops (and non-flying bishops) who aid and abet the breakaways and the discontented within the Episcopal Church.
We tried to warn the Archbishop of Canterbury to let us be and tend to his own garden, which was so full of weeds, with the chickens pecking away wherever they liked, but he would not listen. The CofE is the Jewel in the Crown of the Anglican Communion. Why wouldn't the power-grabbers want the Jewel?
It is my great hope that the surveyors make it as far north as the Diocese of Durham.
H/T to MadPriest at Of course, I Could Be wrong for the link.
The liberal fightback against Anglican conservatives and the Archbishop of Canterbury has begun. Open warfare is now declared.
Pro-gays in the Church of England are planning a survey of all LGBT clergy, in and out of the closet, in London, Southwark and throughout the Church. In the capital, they reckon, it is as many as 20 per cent. They are also intending to survey precisely how many gay blessings have been and are being done. Again, estimates put the number in the hundreds.
After that, bearing in mind the General Synod elections next year, they will make a push for the Church of England to approve gay blessings and gay ordinations to the priesthood and episcopate, as The Episcopal Church has done.
Early talks are already underway about forging permanent links between liberal parishes in England and The Episcopal Church, rather as the conservatives have linked up through the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans and related bodies. A new TEC outpost in London is one possibility being considered.
Oh my! Get me my smelling salts!
Even after reading this excellent news, I ponder why England slept for so long. It's way past time for the members of the Church of England who believe in justice and equality to take action. A good many of us here in the US and a few in England foresaw the next step of the power-grabbing chickens going home to roost in an attempt to take over the CofE. We've spoken out against the English flying bishops (and non-flying bishops) who aid and abet the breakaways and the discontented within the Episcopal Church.
We tried to warn the Archbishop of Canterbury to let us be and tend to his own garden, which was so full of weeds, with the chickens pecking away wherever they liked, but he would not listen. The CofE is the Jewel in the Crown of the Anglican Communion. Why wouldn't the power-grabbers want the Jewel?
It is my great hope that the surveyors make it as far north as the Diocese of Durham.
H/T to MadPriest at Of course, I Could Be wrong for the link.
Ruth Gledhill - "Anglican schism: Is this it?"
From Ruth Gledhill at the Times Online:
So is this it?
....
Arguably, this is a schism that's been waiting to happen for 400 years. A denomination or communion founded on divorce, both of a king and of a church, is hardly one that's predicated for infinite unity. The right for the freedom not to be bound by archaic and arcane doctrine tradition was what the reformers fought for, and is what liberals in TEC would argue is their right today.
....
Maybe this isn't a train crash at all.
Maybe it is just an inevitable decoupling, the 'walking apart' described prophetically in Windsor.
In that event, perhaps, it is to be welcomed. The parties can cite irreconcilable breakdown. Reconciliation has been tried, and failed.
All that will remain is to divide up the assets.
Then division will be absolute.
What we have to remember, in all the pain, recriminations and self-righteous accusations that will undoubtedly follow, is that in spite of the rhetoric of the train crash used so powerfully by the Bishop of Durham in The Times, there are no dead bodies.
In fact, there are a lot of happy people. They are the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender minorities in the US, and their friends and supporters, who have found spiritual haven in The Episcopal Church. Conservatives should perhaps not object too strongly, because they can now opt for the new Anglican Church in North America.
The miracle that might yet await is recognition of the new Anglican province, and acceptance of that by TEC. Then they can all sit around the table together, and in five years time we might wonder what all the fuss was about. Dream on, you might well say, and why not? Dream, and pray, and maybe, just maybe, it isn't over yet.
Ruth posted a video of the American Anglican Council press conference after GC09, starring Bishop Beckwith of Springfield, Illinois, and Bishop Love of Albany, New York, with Rt. Rev. David Anderson (President, AAC) and the Rev. Phil Ashey (AAC) in supporting(?) roles. Bishop Beckwith starts the ball rolling after a little Alphonse/Gaston routine with Bishop Love. The video is long, and I confess that I haven't watched it in its entirety yet, but I will.
Ruth links to writings by other journalists, which I do not provide here, so read the whole article at her blog.
So is this it?
....
Arguably, this is a schism that's been waiting to happen for 400 years. A denomination or communion founded on divorce, both of a king and of a church, is hardly one that's predicated for infinite unity. The right for the freedom not to be bound by archaic and arcane doctrine tradition was what the reformers fought for, and is what liberals in TEC would argue is their right today.
....
Maybe this isn't a train crash at all.
Maybe it is just an inevitable decoupling, the 'walking apart' described prophetically in Windsor.
In that event, perhaps, it is to be welcomed. The parties can cite irreconcilable breakdown. Reconciliation has been tried, and failed.
All that will remain is to divide up the assets.
Then division will be absolute.
What we have to remember, in all the pain, recriminations and self-righteous accusations that will undoubtedly follow, is that in spite of the rhetoric of the train crash used so powerfully by the Bishop of Durham in The Times, there are no dead bodies.
In fact, there are a lot of happy people. They are the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender minorities in the US, and their friends and supporters, who have found spiritual haven in The Episcopal Church. Conservatives should perhaps not object too strongly, because they can now opt for the new Anglican Church in North America.
The miracle that might yet await is recognition of the new Anglican province, and acceptance of that by TEC. Then they can all sit around the table together, and in five years time we might wonder what all the fuss was about. Dream on, you might well say, and why not? Dream, and pray, and maybe, just maybe, it isn't over yet.
Ruth posted a video of the American Anglican Council press conference after GC09, starring Bishop Beckwith of Springfield, Illinois, and Bishop Love of Albany, New York, with Rt. Rev. David Anderson (President, AAC) and the Rev. Phil Ashey (AAC) in supporting(?) roles. Bishop Beckwith starts the ball rolling after a little Alphonse/Gaston routine with Bishop Love. The video is long, and I confess that I haven't watched it in its entirety yet, but I will.
Ruth links to writings by other journalists, which I do not provide here, so read the whole article at her blog.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Story Of The Day
I held out my hands & asked where I could help & somebody grabbed me & pointed me towards the future & said, You've got your work cut out for you & I said, isn't there anything easier? & he laughed & said you could dig around in the past, but it's just busywork & that made perfect sense so I shrugged & started right where I was, along with everyone else
From StoryPeople.
Thanks to Ann for the link.
From StoryPeople.
Thanks to Ann for the link.
From Roseann - "Oh, honey! What's wrong?"
Let me tell you, when in my state the first words you hear in the morning from your beloved are, "Oh honey! What's wrong?" it is most disconcerting. My head and neck were swollen like never before. I didn't just look like a chipmunk on crack, I looked like a herd of chipmunks on crack.
I went to dialysis and they took one look at me and wanted to send me to the ER but since I could breathe okay they went ahead and hooked me up. 3.5 liters of fluid later the swelling had gone down significantly. My nephrologist, the amazing Dr. Kimball decided to set me up for a veinogram so they can determine if there is some sort of blockage with the catheter going into my heart. I'll have this procedure done on Thursday.
In the meantime I kind of look like Cartman, so respect my authoritie!
Love and prayers to you all, Roseann
Much love to you, Roseann, and many prayers that all goes well with the procedure on Thursday and that the doctors find out what they need to know to make you better.
Like Cartman! I know not to cross you between now and then, love. I shall respect your authoritie.
I went to dialysis and they took one look at me and wanted to send me to the ER but since I could breathe okay they went ahead and hooked me up. 3.5 liters of fluid later the swelling had gone down significantly. My nephrologist, the amazing Dr. Kimball decided to set me up for a veinogram so they can determine if there is some sort of blockage with the catheter going into my heart. I'll have this procedure done on Thursday.
In the meantime I kind of look like Cartman, so respect my authoritie!
Love and prayers to you all, Roseann
Much love to you, Roseann, and many prayers that all goes well with the procedure on Thursday and that the doctors find out what they need to know to make you better.
Like Cartman! I know not to cross you between now and then, love. I shall respect your authoritie.
To TEC: Say No To An Anglican Covenant
Why do we need another covenant for the Anglican Communion?
We share:
The New Covenant
Q. What is the New Covenant?
A. The New Covenant is the new relationship with God given by Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to the apostles; and, through them, to all who believe in him.
Q. What did the Messiah promise in the New Covenant?
A. Christ promised to bring us into the kingdom of God and give life in all its fullness.
Q. What response did Christ require?
A. Christ commanded us to believe in him and to keep his commandments.
Q. What are the commandments taught by Christ?
A. Christ taught us the Summary of the Law and gave us the New Commandment.
Q. What is the Summary of the Law?
A. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Q. What is the New Commandment?
A. The New Commandment is that we love one another as Christ loved us.
....
The Creeds
Q. What are the creeds?
A. The creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God.
Q. How many creeds does this Church use in its worship?
A. This Church uses two creeds: The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.
Q. What is the Apostles' Creed?
A. The Apostles' Creed is the ancient creed of Baptism; it is used in the Church's daily worship to recall our Baptismal Covenant.
Q. What is the Nicene Creed?
A. The Nicene Creed is the creed of the universal Church and is used at the Eucharist.
(From the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 850-852)
....
The Baptismal Covenant
Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Father?
People
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Celebrant
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Celebrant
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People
I will, with God’s help.
(From the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 304-305)
We have common worship centered in the Book of Common Prayer.
We are joined by the sacraments of Baptism and by our sharing in the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ.
We share the bonds of affection - or not - as the case may be.
What's missing? What can we add that will improve on what we already share? If the bonds of affection are not present, another covenant will not force them.
We share:
The New Covenant
Q. What is the New Covenant?
A. The New Covenant is the new relationship with God given by Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to the apostles; and, through them, to all who believe in him.
Q. What did the Messiah promise in the New Covenant?
A. Christ promised to bring us into the kingdom of God and give life in all its fullness.
Q. What response did Christ require?
A. Christ commanded us to believe in him and to keep his commandments.
Q. What are the commandments taught by Christ?
A. Christ taught us the Summary of the Law and gave us the New Commandment.
Q. What is the Summary of the Law?
A. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Q. What is the New Commandment?
A. The New Commandment is that we love one another as Christ loved us.
....
The Creeds
Q. What are the creeds?
A. The creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God.
Q. How many creeds does this Church use in its worship?
A. This Church uses two creeds: The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.
Q. What is the Apostles' Creed?
A. The Apostles' Creed is the ancient creed of Baptism; it is used in the Church's daily worship to recall our Baptismal Covenant.
Q. What is the Nicene Creed?
A. The Nicene Creed is the creed of the universal Church and is used at the Eucharist.
(From the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 850-852)
....
The Baptismal Covenant
Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Father?
People
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Celebrant
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Celebrant
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People
I will, with God’s help.
(From the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 304-305)
We have common worship centered in the Book of Common Prayer.
We are joined by the sacraments of Baptism and by our sharing in the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ.
We share the bonds of affection - or not - as the case may be.
What's missing? What can we add that will improve on what we already share? If the bonds of affection are not present, another covenant will not force them.
Two Dioceses Announce Candidates For Bishop
The Episcopal Dioceses of Minnesota and Los Angeles announced their slate of candidates for bishop.
From the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota:
On Saturday, August 1, the Search Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota announced the names of three candidates for IX Bishop of Minnesota:
The Rev. Mariann Budde, Rector, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, MN
The Rev. Bonnie Perry, Rector, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Chicago, IL
The Rev. Brian Prior, Rector, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Spokane, WA
A full bio and resume for each candidate is available on the IX Bishop Search website. A pdf of a bulletin insert is available for download. A doc file is also available.
According to her bio, The Rev. Bonnie Perry is a partnered lesbian. All three candidates appear well-qualified for the post of bishop.
From the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles:
Six priests -- three from the Diocese of Los Angeles and one each from San Francisco; San Jose, California; and Baltimore, Maryland -- have been nominated for December's election of two bishops suffragan in the six-county Diocese of Los Angeles. The slate was announced August 2 by the Rev. Julian Bull, chair of the Search and Nominating Committee.
Within the Episcopal Church, bishops suffragan are elected to assist the bishop of a diocese. The nominees, listed here with links to ministry and biographical information, are:
The Rev. Canon Diane M. Jardine Bruce, rector, St. Clement's by-the-Sea Church in San Clemente, California;
The Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool, canon to the bishops in the Baltimore-based Diocese of Maryland;
The Rev. Zelda M. Kennedy, senior associate for pastoral care and spiritual growth, All Saints Church in Pasadena, California;
The Rev. John L. Kirkley, rector, St. John the Evangelist Church in San Francisco (Diocese of California);
The Rev. Silvestre E. Romero, rector, St Philip's Church in San Jose, California (Diocese of El Camino Real); and
The Rev. Irineo Martir Vasquez, vicar, St. George's Church in Hawthorne, California.
....
"I affirm each and every one of these candidates, and I am pleased with the wide diversity they offer this Diocese," Bishop Bruno said in a statement (full text follows).
The Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool is a partnered lesbian, and The Rev. John L. Kirkley is a married gay man with one adopted son.
Again, the bios of the candidates are all quite impressive.
The LA Times says:
The nominations of the Rev. John L. Kirkley of San Francisco and the Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool of a Baltimore-based diocese are likely to further inflame theological conservatives in the U.S. church and their global partners in the Anglican Communion, who have repeatedly warned about the repercussions of such action.
The Times is correct. The lists from the two dioceses will, no doubt, "further inflame theological conservatives". My prayer is that the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit will inflame the minds and hearts of those who will choose the bishops for the dioceses and lead them to the candidates best suited for the positions.
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose bishops for the Diocese of Minnesota and the Diocese of Los Angeles that they may receive faithful pastors, who will care for your people and equip them for their ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 818)
From the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota:
On Saturday, August 1, the Search Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota announced the names of three candidates for IX Bishop of Minnesota:
The Rev. Mariann Budde, Rector, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, MN
The Rev. Bonnie Perry, Rector, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Chicago, IL
The Rev. Brian Prior, Rector, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Spokane, WA
A full bio and resume for each candidate is available on the IX Bishop Search website. A pdf of a bulletin insert is available for download. A doc file is also available.
According to her bio, The Rev. Bonnie Perry is a partnered lesbian. All three candidates appear well-qualified for the post of bishop.
From the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles:
Six priests -- three from the Diocese of Los Angeles and one each from San Francisco; San Jose, California; and Baltimore, Maryland -- have been nominated for December's election of two bishops suffragan in the six-county Diocese of Los Angeles. The slate was announced August 2 by the Rev. Julian Bull, chair of the Search and Nominating Committee.
Within the Episcopal Church, bishops suffragan are elected to assist the bishop of a diocese. The nominees, listed here with links to ministry and biographical information, are:
The Rev. Canon Diane M. Jardine Bruce, rector, St. Clement's by-the-Sea Church in San Clemente, California;
The Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool, canon to the bishops in the Baltimore-based Diocese of Maryland;
The Rev. Zelda M. Kennedy, senior associate for pastoral care and spiritual growth, All Saints Church in Pasadena, California;
The Rev. John L. Kirkley, rector, St. John the Evangelist Church in San Francisco (Diocese of California);
The Rev. Silvestre E. Romero, rector, St Philip's Church in San Jose, California (Diocese of El Camino Real); and
The Rev. Irineo Martir Vasquez, vicar, St. George's Church in Hawthorne, California.
....
"I affirm each and every one of these candidates, and I am pleased with the wide diversity they offer this Diocese," Bishop Bruno said in a statement (full text follows).
The Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool is a partnered lesbian, and The Rev. John L. Kirkley is a married gay man with one adopted son.
Again, the bios of the candidates are all quite impressive.
The LA Times says:
The nominations of the Rev. John L. Kirkley of San Francisco and the Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool of a Baltimore-based diocese are likely to further inflame theological conservatives in the U.S. church and their global partners in the Anglican Communion, who have repeatedly warned about the repercussions of such action.
The Times is correct. The lists from the two dioceses will, no doubt, "further inflame theological conservatives". My prayer is that the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit will inflame the minds and hearts of those who will choose the bishops for the dioceses and lead them to the candidates best suited for the positions.
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose bishops for the Diocese of Minnesota and the Diocese of Los Angeles that they may receive faithful pastors, who will care for your people and equip them for their ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 818)
Sunday, August 2, 2009
GC09 Reaches Far Beyond....
From the LA Times:
With a little more than 2 million members, the Episcopal Church of the United States is far from being the country's largest Christian denomination. But its recent pronouncements indicating support for openly gay bishops and church blessings for same-sex couples will have reverberations beyond that church, beyond Christianity and even beyond religion. For all the theological issues it raises, acceptance of gays and lesbians at the altar reflects -- and affects -- the campaign for equality in the larger society.
Well, we know that we're not the biggest, but we can hope that the actions taken in Anaheim have a positive effect on justice and equality for gays and lesbians in this country and around the world.
In a society that has accepted women as judges, chief executive officers and university presidents, the absence of women at the altar will strike the man -- and woman -- in the pew as increasingly incongruous. The influence works both ways: A young girl who sees a woman presiding over the most sacred rituals of her faith will wonder why there is still resistance to full participation by her gender in earthly activities. A devout gay teenager who is confirmed by a homosexual bishop will be less likely to doubt his worth when confronted with bigotry and bullying at school.
Yes. Exactly. The young lesbian girl might say to herself, "Why would anyone say that I can't do that?" The devout gay teenager would be confirmed and affirmed as a gay young man, beloved of God.
Why does anyone other than members of the Episcopal Church and, perhaps, members of other religious bodies pay attention to the activities of a small denomination?
Still, it's not surprising that the controversy in the Anglican Communion has riveted observers who never have darkened the door of a church. It isn't just that the dispute about homosexuality influences and informs similar debates in developed countries, including Britain and the United States. There is also a global dimension to the controversy.
And the coup de grâce.
The strides made by the Episcopal Church thus are especially significant, and especially commendable, because they occur against a backdrop of both cultural and religious resistance. Supporters of Proposition 8 weren't the only ones to cloak prejudice with piety.
The editorial is well-done. Whoever wrote it understands what happened in Anaheim.
H/T to JB Chilton at The Lead
With a little more than 2 million members, the Episcopal Church of the United States is far from being the country's largest Christian denomination. But its recent pronouncements indicating support for openly gay bishops and church blessings for same-sex couples will have reverberations beyond that church, beyond Christianity and even beyond religion. For all the theological issues it raises, acceptance of gays and lesbians at the altar reflects -- and affects -- the campaign for equality in the larger society.
Well, we know that we're not the biggest, but we can hope that the actions taken in Anaheim have a positive effect on justice and equality for gays and lesbians in this country and around the world.
In a society that has accepted women as judges, chief executive officers and university presidents, the absence of women at the altar will strike the man -- and woman -- in the pew as increasingly incongruous. The influence works both ways: A young girl who sees a woman presiding over the most sacred rituals of her faith will wonder why there is still resistance to full participation by her gender in earthly activities. A devout gay teenager who is confirmed by a homosexual bishop will be less likely to doubt his worth when confronted with bigotry and bullying at school.
Yes. Exactly. The young lesbian girl might say to herself, "Why would anyone say that I can't do that?" The devout gay teenager would be confirmed and affirmed as a gay young man, beloved of God.
Why does anyone other than members of the Episcopal Church and, perhaps, members of other religious bodies pay attention to the activities of a small denomination?
Still, it's not surprising that the controversy in the Anglican Communion has riveted observers who never have darkened the door of a church. It isn't just that the dispute about homosexuality influences and informs similar debates in developed countries, including Britain and the United States. There is also a global dimension to the controversy.
And the coup de grâce.
The strides made by the Episcopal Church thus are especially significant, and especially commendable, because they occur against a backdrop of both cultural and religious resistance. Supporters of Proposition 8 weren't the only ones to cloak prejudice with piety.
The editorial is well-done. Whoever wrote it understands what happened in Anaheim.
H/T to JB Chilton at The Lead
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