More God and Gays

Good for the Episcopals to stand up to Nigerian bullies regarding gays and same sex marriages.

I thought it was nonsense for the Communion generally to ask the American (and by extension Canadian) churches to sit out and become junior members, in the interest of preventing a schism.

Though I'm not Anglican, I say fuck 'em. It's like saying, "To prevent us from disagreeing with you, please make all your women wear burkhas." Actually, that's what a lot of supposedly tolerant people want--"Oh, we might offend some nutjobs by doing what is normal for us, so let's cave."

But the communique is remarkably strident.

First, they slam the fact that Mr. Nigeria is appointing bishops in the US:

Other Anglican bishops, indeed including some Primates, have violated our provincial boundaries and caused great suffering and contributed immeasurably to
our difficulties in solving our problems and in attempting to communicate for ourselves with our Anglican brothers and sisters. We have been repeatedly assured that boundary violations are inappropriate under the most ancient authorities and should cease. The Lambeth Conferences of 1988 and 1998 did so. The Windsor Report did so. The Dromantine Communiqué did so. None of these assurances has been heeded. The Dar es Salaam Communiqué affirms the principle that boundary violations are impermissible, but then sets conditions for ending those violations, conditions that are simply impossible for us to meet without calling a special meeting of our General Convention.

Then, the brave statement:

We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God's children, including gay and lesbian persons, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's Church. We proclaim the Gospel that stands against any violence, including violence done to women and children as well as those who are persecuted because of their differences, often in the name of God. The Dar es Salaam Communiqué is distressingly silent on this subject. And, contrary to the way the Anglican Communion Network and the American Anglican Council have represented us, we proclaim a Gospel that welcomes diversity of thought and encourages free and open theological debate as a way of seeking God's truth. If that means that others reject us and communion with us, as some have already done, we must with great regret and sorrow accept their decision.

Finally, perhaps, there is a group--an unexpected group, to be sure--that is standing up for us.

I say bravo to the Episcopal Church.

Update: Our fair friend Seething Mom provides excellent analysis here.