Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Polarization

Polarization will destroy our Communion

The following is from the Daily Hampshire Gazette. I offer it with comment that actions such as these will do nothing but entrench the right and inflame the centrists. In the name of "social justice" one fringe is massing their troops, arming themselves with righteousness and going to battle over something better achieved by other means. Yet again we see Priests in God's holy, catholic and apostolic Church ignoring their Ordination Vows by refusing to offer God's ordained Sacrament based solely on their own arbitrary decisions, God's intentions not withstanding. This strikes me as much akin to the incident where "Southern" Bishops refused to receive Communion with Bp. Jefferts Schori at Tanzania. Christian charity surrounding this issue, from both sides, has become non-existent.

Change will come only with understanding, and not be hastened by force. If GLBT's simply compel their way onto "full acceptance" (i.e. with rights to all Sacraments including Holy Matrimony & the Episcopacy) they will have achieved only legislated acceptance with neither respect, understanding nor true equality.

I have long believed that we are called only to love God and one another. When we continue to love each other political issues will become moot. And it then becomes by example in word and deed, that Christ is seen and known.

"And they'll know we are Christians by our love, ..."

Yeah, right... as long as it fits my agenda.

Minister protests same-sex union ban with a halt to all weddings
March 12, 2007

AMHERST, Mass. --An Episcopal minister will stop performing all wedding ceremonies to protest the denomination's prohibition of same-sex unions.

"We are called to join the fast that our homosexual brothers and sisters in Christ have had to observe all their lives," said the Rev. Robert Hirschfeld, rector of Grace Episcopal Church.

Several members of the congregation say they support Hirschfeld's move, which he announced in his Sunday sermon. Others said they were concerned that that the move might add to the polarization of an issue that has already divided Episcopals.

Erica Winter, of Northampton, said working for social justice often involves giving up something.

"I'm so proud to be a part of this," Nina Scott, a congregant from Amherst, said. "It's a step that needs to be taken."

Two priest associates at Grace Church, the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and the Rev. Burton Whiteside, also said they won't perform marriages.

"I am convinced that when gays and lesbians are baptized, they become full members of the body of Christ," said Bullitt-Jonas. "They are not partial members or conditional members or second-class members."


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