The Episcopal Church-Two Religions

[Gregory N. Chase]

Today, there are two religions in the Episcopal Church. One remains faithful to the biblical truth and received teachings of the Church, while the other rejects them.

The Episcopal Church (USA), along with the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Methodist Church are probably experiencing the greatest amount of conflict over equal rights for their gay and lesbian members.

More liberal Christian denominations have already largely accepted homosexuality as simply another normal, natural, and morally neutral sexual orientation. More conservative denominations have retained the historical Christian belief. They condemn all same-sex behavior, regardless of the nature of the relationship.

The core problem is a disagreement over religious truth. In general, Anglicans consider six factors when they develop and change their religious beliefs and policies:

Specific biblical references, often literally interpreted
Actions of biblical leaders
General biblical themes -- justice, fairness, love...
Church traditions
Scientific findings
Personal Experience.

Conservatives tend to stress the factors near the top of the list. Most conclude that same sex behavior is among the most serious of sins. Liberals tend to stress the bottom factors, and conclude that the three sexual orientations -- heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality -- are all morally neutral. The real sins are homophobia, and sexual acts which are unsafe, non-consensual, manipulative and/or without commitment.

Two sexually related topics are currently placing extreme stress on the Episcopal Church, USA, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the rest of the Anglican Communion:

Whether qualified gays and lesbians in committed relationships should be eligible for ordination as priests and consecration as bishops, and
whether a church ritual recognizing and blessing committed same-sex unions should be available.

What do you think?

[Rey Reynoso]

Since we're all going to agree anyway, let me bat for the other team: what if the Bible isn't speaking about homosexual relationships as much as the rampant sexuality (which includes homosexuality) that is directed in temple worship practices or lack of commitment to a relationship? What if I can attribute the Biblical arguments to problems that only circumstantially dealt with homosexuality?

For example, Sodom's sin was its Pride and its activities were rape; Romans 1 is in regard to failing to worship properly--not homosexuality.

In point of argument, the Bible has no problem with a committed homosexual relationship like David and Jonathan.

[Rey Reynoso]

(I should continue with the disclaimer that I am playing Devil's Advocate lest someone stumble across this and expose my heresy).

Well maybe we need to define our terms. Is homosexuality merely the (1)sexual act between two same-sex people, (2)the attraction to people of the same sex or (3) the loving between people of the same sex? Are the folks in Corinth being described as once having been partakers of one of those three slots?

As for David and Jonathan, they are described as having loved each other (1 Sam 18).

(please remember, I'm playing a role here).

[Rey Reynoso]

The question is should the Church be in that position or has it had it wrong all along?

(once again, disclaimer: I'm playing devil's advocate)

[Jonathan Enns]

Unless scripture lies, homosexuality is sin.

Pretty clear in there from me. Might not be so clear if I didn't hold to scripture as inerrant ;).

[Scott N]

I agree that Scripture clearly speaks against homosexuality, but it also says that anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales is to be detestable to us (Leviticus 11:12). Does that mean it's a sin for me to eat shrimp scampi or is this comparing apples to oranges?

[Kevin Bullock]

This is an interesting discussion, I have attended and Episcopal church here in my hometown and they are more or less conservative. I wonder if the current state of the church is temporary. I like to think that it is.

I would hope that eventually , God's word and the spiritual gift of common sense will win out.