Equality Over Conscience?

From a link at Thinking Anglicans, the title of a post by Archbishop Cranmer at Cranmer leaped out at me:

EU forces Government to put gay equality over Christian conscience

The writer lists references from the Hebrew and Christian Testaments and from the Qur’an which are presumed to forbid same-sexuality and bemoans the loss of England's national sovereignty to the European Union. You can read it all at the link.

As I said in the comments to the post:

The title of the post caught my attention from the link at Thinking Anglicans.

"EU forces Government to put gay equality over Christian conscience"

Why did the headline startle me? Because I rather foolishly believe that the Christian conscience would compel one to support gay equality. If you think same-sexuality is wrong, then refrain from the act. It's not as though the EU is forcing same-sexuality on anyone.

I doubt that God cares more about national sovereignty than about fair and equal treatment of human beings. It seems to me that the secular EU has become the Christian conscience of England.

An excerpt from the rebuttal to my comment:

D. Singh said...

Madam,

It is sad to read a note from, presumably a Christian such as yourself support a measure which is destructive of the church in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Again, you may read the full response at the link.

I answered:

Sir, if the church groups keep themselves free from employing LGTB persons, will the communities then be pure and undefiled? Are there none employed in the church communities who have transgressed? Are none guilty of any of the seven deadly sins?

Pride
Covetousness
Lust
Anger
Envy
Gluttony
Sloth

There is no such entity as a pure church. The church is for sinners. "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick."

I don't expect that I shall turn you around to my way of thinking, nor will you convince me that your way is right. I commented here simply because I was truly startled by the title of the post. The seeming dissonance in the phrasing jumped out at me.

Peace to you in this season of hope and expectancy as we await the celebration of the coming of Our Lord to dwell amongst us.

The response:

D. Singh said...

Madam,

Because some in the church commit those seven sins is not a justification to add another.

There you have it. I'm not one to continue with an endless argument in which I am close to certain that no minds or hearts will be changed, therefore I'm done. From that number of comments to the post (73, so far), I conclude that the blog is popular, with comments from both conservatives and progressives alike. I suppose that I don't get around enough.

Republican "Tough Love" For Health Clinics In NOLA

From the Times-Picayune:

Confronting a panel of health professionals seeking continued federal support for a fragile network of New Orleans health clinics that emerged in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform asked Thursday whether the city is becoming a ward of the federal government.

"Is everyone so poor in Louisiana that the state cannot do more for you?" Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., asked the panel. "Are you going to be a permanent ward of the federal government?"

Issa's question, which he said was born out of "tough love," drew a wrathful response from Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio.

Of course, that the overflow of water into New Orleans after Katrina was a FEDERAL FLOOD due to faulty levees, constructed by the US Corps of Engineers, should not be in the equation as Louisiana goes a-begging for help to provide health care for the poor. And nevermind that a better description for Republican "tough love" would be Republican "shriveled hearts". (H/T to Michael Gerson. See sidebar.)

Rep. Dennis Kucinich said:

"You're trying to keep alive a health infrastructure to assist people, and we are getting ready to spend $160 billion next year on a stupid war in Afghanistan," Kucinich said.

"If we can't see that New Orleans is still suffering, if we can't see that New Orleans has a health-care infrastructure that is not adequate to meet the needs of people who are still recovering from the hurricane, if New Orleans has to come with a tin cup to beg for money for clinics "," Kucinich said. "Our country is falling apart, and what's happening in New Orleans is a signal condition of where America's priorities are totally fouled up."

Do you see why I wanted Dennis to be my president? He has the priorities right. All right, perhaps he could not have governed, but a girl can dream, can't she?

And then Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, R-New Orleans, spoke up to:

thank Kucinich "for his passion and his understanding of the situation in New Orleans," and he agreed with Kucinich's characterization that "FEMA was still nickel-and-diming the city," especially in its haggling over what Louisiana is owed for the damaged Charity Hospital, a dispute that is now in arbitration.

If you recall, Cao was the lone Republican to vote to move the health reform bill out of the House of Representatives. He knows well that his people need help.

Easy Option

I'm not that good at live & let live, she
told me, when it's just as easy to avoid &
then I don't even have to think about it.


From StoryPeople.

Updates On Prayer Requests

From Ann:

Kay Rohde on FB

move to elkhorn rehab hosp Sat 10 AM. maybe 2 weeks, making good
progress, this was a much bigger deal than first thought to
reestabalish neurological highways down the spinal cord.. Thank you
all for prayers Full healing probable, may take 6-8-12 months. Thanks
for the messages they help. Come visit. I would love to see you
pokearound the corner. When you are present, God is present. Thank you.

My brother-in-law is recovering at home from acute diverticulitis and is in much less pain.

My niece is doing nicely after the hysterectomy.

From Susan S.:

I just heard from my Brother...he says that Harriette came thru okay, the surgeon is pleased, and Harriette is on the major sedation. We'll see what he says tomorrow. As I recall my mother's surgery, they got her up the next day for only a few seconds, but it hurt like hell even on the drugs.

From Eileen:

Can we add my mil Peggy here? She's moving to rehab later today to continue recovering from her hip replacement surgery for the next few weeks.

Thanks be to God, and may God continue to shine the healing light of love on all who are in need.

Pray For The Episcopal Diocese Of Louisiana

Christ Church Cathedral and the St. Charles Street car


The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana will hold its Electing Convention tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 5). Please pray that the Holy Spirit may fill the minds and hearts of the delegates as they gather at Christ Church Cathedral to choose our next bishop.

The website of the diocese is posting the results as they come from the floor of the convention.

Roseann - "Where, O death, is your victory?"

Barbara, a friend of Roseann, posted the picture above on Roseann's Facebook page. I asked her permission to use the photo here, and she graciously answered:

Roseann would love that! I posted the picture to share with everyone.

Roseann's request for her ashes to be placed in a Hellmann's Mayonnaise jar was one stanza of her final splendid, tragic, humorous, and life-giving poem on this good earth before her holy death. And hers was the holiest death that I have ever known.

The picture below is Barbara's, too.

‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’
‘Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?’
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Thanks to Sue for calling the picture to my attention.

Snow In Houston

Flowers in the snow

From a friend in Houston:

From 1" to 3" is predicted. It's coming down pretty hard right now but hasn't started to lay yet.

Aren't you jealous?

xo

Yes, I am - in a way, but only in a way. At first, the snow is lovely and thrilling, but the last time it snowed here to any effect, we stayed frozen for three or four days. We are, in no way, prepared for snow here, and the icy roads and walkways came to be a nuisance after a spell. I expect that Houston is not that well prepared for snow, either.

And later came the pictures from my friend.


"The Broken Obelisk" by Barnett Newman

The sculpture stands in a pool on the site of the Rothko Chapel.

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on proposed bill in Uganda

[December 4, 2009] The following is the statement of Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori concerning proposed private member’s bill on homosexuality in the Parliament of Uganda:

The Episcopal Church joins many other Christians and people of faith in urging the safeguarding of human rights everywhere. We do so in the understanding that “efforts to criminalize homosexual behavior are incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ” (General Convention 2006, Resolution D005).

This has been the repeated and vehement position of Anglican bodies, including several Lambeth Conferences. The Primates’ Meeting, in the midst of severe controversy over issues of homosexuality, nevertheless noted that, as Anglicans, “we assure homosexual people that they are children of God, loved and valued by him, and deserving of the best we can give of pastoral care and friendship” (Primates’ Communiqué, Dromantine, 2005).

The Episcopal Church represents multiple and varied cultural contexts (the United States and 15 other nations), and as a Church we affirm that the public scapegoating of any category of persons, in any context, is anathema. We are deeply concerned about the potential impingement on basic human rights represented by the private member’s bill in the Ugandan Parliament.

In the United States and elsewhere, we note that changed laws do help to shift public opinion and urge a more humane response to difference. The Hate Crimes Act recently passed in the United States is one example, as are the many pieces of civil rights legislation that have slowly changed American public behavior, especially in the area of race relations. We note the distance our own culture still needs to travel in removing discriminatory practice from social interactions, yet we have also seen how changed hearts and minds have followed legal sanctions on discriminatory behavior.

We give thanks for the clear position of the United States government on human rights, for the State Department’s annual human rights report on Uganda, which observes that the existing colonial-era law on same-sex relations is a societal abuse of human rights, and for the State Department’s publicly voiced opposition to the present bill. We urge the United States government to grant adequate access to the U.S. asylum system for those fleeing persecution on the basis of homosexuality or gender identity, to work with other governments, international organizations, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide adequate protection for these asylum seekers, and to oppose any attempts at extradition under a law such as that proposed in Uganda.

Finally, we note that much of the current climate of fear, rejection, and antagonism toward gay and lesbian persons in African nations has been stirred by members and former members of our own Church. We note further that attempts to export the culture wars of North America to another context represent the very worst of colonial behavior. We deeply lament this reality, and repent of any way in which we have participated in this sin.

We call on all Episcopalians to seek their own conversion toward an ability to see the image of God in the face of every neighbor, of whatever race, gender, sexual orientation, theological position, or creed. God has created us in myriad diversity, and no one sort or condition of human being can fully reflect the divine. Only the whole human race begins to be an adequate mirror of the divine.

We urge continued prayer for those who live in fear of the implications of this kind of injustice and discrimination, and as a Church, commit ourselves anew to seek partnerships with the Church of Uganda, or any portion thereof, in serving the mission of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That Gospel is larger than any party or faction. It is only in mutual service and recognition that we will begin to mend our divisions.

We are grateful for the willingness of the Anglican Communion Office and Lambeth Palace to hear this plea on behalf of all God’s people, and urge their continued assistance in seeking greater justice. We note the impediments this legislation would pose to the ability to continue a Listening Process in which all of the Anglican Communion is currently engaged.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop

The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 16 nations. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

From Episcopal Life.

Thanks to Ann.

UPDATE: "Request for Executive Council Meeting Withdrawn".

Read Fr. Jake's post.

I am concerned that the release of a statement by the PB was cause for some members of Executive Council to think that there was no longer any need for them to make a statement. Speaking personally, I am much more interested in hearing from all four orders, not simply from our Presiding Bishop. The Executive Council is the authority on these matters, as they are our representative body. This feels very much like falling back into past patterns; letting the Bishops call the meetings and make the statements.

I agree. The meeting should have proceeded as scheduled.

Please Pray...

...for my brother-in-law, who has acute diverticulitis

...for my niece Donna, who is recovering from a hysterectomy

...for Kay, who is recovering from spinal surgery

...for JimB

Jim said...

Sue-z and I are facing the tent option unless something good happens soon. I am a candidate for a gig in Arkansas and am praying for a fair shot at it.

...for Susan S.' sister-in-law

susan s. said...

My sister-in-law is having both of her knees replaced today.

UPDATE: From Eileen:

Can we add my mil Peggy here? She's moving to rehab later today to continue recovering from her hip replacement surgery for the next few weeks.

From Arkansas Hillbilly:

... and I hate to be a burden, but could you add me to the prayer list... I had a "minor procedure" done Wednesday and the end result still hurts something fierce.

Prayer requests are never a burden.

By The Light Of The Full Moon

Great ball shining bright
Rolling on dark night's ceiling
Sun's light brings to earth


I'm one night late. Sorry.

Presiding Bishop Katharine - Door Still Open to Gay Bishops

Mark Harris at Preludium says:

Still in some quite remarkable ways Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori continues to speak in ways that make me proud to be part of the same church with her.

Listen to her interview by Denis O'Hayer on WABE.

After hearing her, I'm with Mark. I have not always agreed with Bishop Katharine, but, in this interview, she gets it right.

On The Other Hand...

Another point of view from a women's rights activist from AFP.

Women's rights activists on Tuesday backed a US troop surge in Afghanistan but warned that hard-fought gains in women's rights will vanish without a long-term commitment to develop the country.

"If the US left, women would be back in their burkas," said Esther Hyneman, a member of Women for Afghan Women (WAW), a rights group advocating for Afghan women in the United States and Afghanistan.
....

"America must make a long-term commitment to Afghanistan. Countries cannot recover overnight from 30 years of war, chaos, destruction, subjugation," she said.

We must not abandon the Afghans, especially the women, but we must stop fighting the war there. A presence, perhaps, but not a fighting presence. What will happen in July of 2011? Should we occupy parts of the country forever? A UN presence?

According to the article by Seymour Hersh to which I linked in my previous post on Obama's address on the war in Afghanistan, the Pakistanis are more and more in sympathy with the fundamentalist anti-American Muslims, and they don't want us in their country. As fundamentalism spreads, women will be oppressed. We must search for solutions other than wars, and I don't know what those solutions are, but we can't occupy great swaths of the Middle East.

Thanks to Ann for sending the link.

The Same-Sex Marriage Debate

UPDATE: View the enlargement here.

From Pharyngula.

Thanks to Paul (A.) for the link.

Because Everyone Should See This

Senator Diane Savino, a state senator from New York, on gay marriage.

Thanks to Fran for calling the video to my attention.

A Sweet, Possibly Apocryphal, Story

From Ruth Gledhill:

The Archbishop of Canterbury has a son who is of school age and who, like any schoolboy and certainly like my own young son, loves nothing more than a good play date.

This boy was apparently round at a friend's house the other day when his dad, Dr Rowan Williams, appeared on the television, as he does.

'Oh look,' piped up the boy's school friend. 'There's that man on the telly who does the hoovering at Pip's house.'

Mitres off to you Jane, you've got your priorities right. I think you might just be deserving of another bottle of Times champagne for this coup in domestic ecclesiastical politics.

Credit due. Archbishop Williams, if you push the Hoover in your house, you deserve applause. You're an example to all husbands. How about a video of your technique? We may learn a more efficient way to do the chore.

Thanks to Lapin for the link.