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Political |
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There certainly are many issues to write about
these days—In California, it is The Terminator v. Davis, in Iraq--The
Hunt for WMD, and in Alabama, it is Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy
Moore’s quest to keep the 10 Commandments in the Supreme Court
building. Despite these interesting and, controversial
issues, there is an issue that may have wide reaching affects on
millions in the world. There is a growing controversy in the Christian
faith, a controversy challenging the unity of the faith, and the unity
of the Episcopal Church. I do not write about things of a religious
nature. I firmly believe that in our country, each of us has the right
to choose, and practice, the religion we believe in. I am personally an
Episcopalian, and I am closely watching the growing rift between
Episcopalians, who are part of the worldwide Christian faith. The Episcopal Church made history by confirming
the first openly gay Bishop. The confirmation process was full of
controversy, including last-minute allegations of sexual misconduct.
After a 24-hour investigation, the charges of sexual misconduct were
dismissed, and the Bishop was confirmed. The next morning, I watched the interviews of
this new Bishop. If we put aside the “gay” issue, the Bishop
answered the questions, demonstrated a deep faith, and appeared to
possess the qualities that any Episcopal Church would want in their
Bishop. This Bishop is, however, different--he is openly gay, an issue
causing great controversy in the Episcopal Church, and, perhaps, in the
Christian faith. I have not made any judgments regarding
this Bishop's sexual orientation, or whether it is appropriate to place
him in the position of Bishop, a position of leadership and Christian
responsibility. My thought process on this issue has been a difficult
one, balancing the foundation of the Christian belief with the growing
human emotion involved with the choice made by the Episcopal Church. My concern is not with the issue of this Bishop
being gay, but with the issue of the growing rift in the Church, the
apparent inability to find common ground, and the threat of
Conservatives in the Church leaving over this one issue, a gay bishop. I
am concerned that the labels of conservatives and liberals are taking
precedence over the foundation of our beliefs. I am concerned that the
issue is one of religious politics, and not of faith. This week the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr.
Roman Williams, called a meeting to prevent a rift over the approval of
this Bishop. The conservatives within the church are threatening to
break away over this issue. There is a growing fear at the church will
splinter with conservatives members leaving the church. Those protesting
with the appointment, include the Rev. David Phillips of Great Britain.
Rev. Phillips believes that the scriptures do not tolerate the
appointment of a gay Bishop. He supports what he hopes "will now be
a division in the worldwide church. That is the only way we can be clear
that some of us do not accept this." The Episcopalians in the country of Kenya, led
by Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi are threatening to sever links with the
American Episcopal Church. The Bishop is credited as saying that the
election is "contrary to the clear teachings of the scripture.”
"Any Anglican diocese that resolves and sanctions to bless same-sex
marriages has, as a result, taken itself out of the Anglican
Communion... We wish to state in clear terms that we will consider
breaking up our partnership with any such diocese that makes deacons,
ordains priests, or consecrates bishops who have practiced or continue
to practice gay relationships." There are others who obviously believe that the
appointment of a gay Bishop is in line, not only with scriptures, but
with basic teachings of the Christian belief. This is obvious from the
vote affirming the appointment of this Bishop. This growing rift in the
Church is frightening, frightening because Church leaders cannot find
common ground to stay unified. The appointment of this new Bishop shows that
there are many different views of scripture within the Episcopal Church.
Additionally, this appointment shows that there are different views of
the scripture in the Christian faith. The real challenge facing
Episcopal Church is whether those with a different views can find common
ground, common ground that rests with a belief that Jesus Christ is the
savior—the reason that Christians, of any faith, are Christians. Regardless of whether any one individual, or
group, believes that the American Episcopal Church made the right
choice, the members must be tolerant, and call upon their faith to keep
them together. Regardless of whether you support the appointment, or are
against the appointment, it is important to stay unified for the sake of
the church, for the sake of the religion, and beliefs, that bind all
religions together. Leaving the Church is not the solution, staying
with the Church is the solution. I am not one who believes in "slick
slogans,” "slick ad campaigns" and packaging for marketing
purposes when it comes to religion. However, it appears that in this
situation, the members of the Episcopal Church need to ask themselves
the basic question--“WWJD--what would Jesus do?” Stuart James |
