The Episcopal Church leaders who have voted to confirm Gene Robinson, and who have tiptoed around the issue of blessing same sex marriages do not speak for me. The action taken by the majority vote at the 74th annual convention is contrary to my personal beliefs and what I can discern in scripture.
I am reminded of a passage in scripture that God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways.” Scripture as I read it speaks against homosexual relationships, and defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
In the past, our church leaders have made statements that I originally found contradictory. The 1998 Lambeth conference made the following statements. The first was that “homosexual practices are incompatible with scripture.”
The second stated, “Also, gay and lesbian are full members of the body of Christ.” In wrestling with these I asked how can homosexual practices be condemned, and yet gays and lesbians are full members? It was explained to me that we are asked to love all people and this truly means ALL people. I am not to judge.
This to me means that I am to love all women and all men. This tells me that I am to love Gene Robinson and all gays and lesbians. This love is agape love, which is totally different that what most people construe as love being sexual in nature.
In all of the discussion of loving all people, blessing of gay unions, and of openly homosexual priests there has been little or no mention of celibacy or repentance on the part of those unions or priests.
As I see it if these people are acting with AGAPE love and are celibate then there is no problem. If they are acting with sexual love they are in violation of scripture and need to repent. I do not see this happening with Gene Robinson or with some gay and lesbian couples who continue to flaunt their lifestyles.
Should we be as tolerant of adultery, pre-marital sex, sexual predators, pedophiles, and murderers? Or, should we, if the individual is doing good works, bless them and allow them to be leaders in our church?
In the same vein, how often do we point out and chastise those of different political or religious affiliations. If we are called to love all these people are we not also called to emulate Jesus and tell them as well as Gene Robinson to repent and sin no more?
Did not Jesus bless prostitutes and sinners while admonishing them to repent and sin no more?
As I see it the leaders of my Episcopalian faith are using situational ethics in identifying sin and calling for repentance. I have no problem with blessing the union of celibate men or women (if the union is founded on agape love as Christ calls for in the great commandment), or a celibate gay priest.
As Christians we acknowledge a higher power with authority over our actions, and at the same time acknowledge that we have free will to violate that authority. We also are aware (or should be aware) of the consequences of violating that authority. We are by grace given free will for good or for evil. If we act for good we have no problems if we act for evil we must ask forgiveness and repent.
In talking to other Episcopalians I find that many share views similar to mine. In our own congregation people have used the words, betrayed, anger, fear, and pain to describe how they feel about these recent actions. Some have left the Episcopal Church, others are considering it, and some have withheld financial support.
It is my belief that many of those in leadership roles in the Episcopal Church have failed to uphold scripture and therefore have lost my respect. However, I will not allow this loss of respect to in any way prevent me from worshiping in the Episcopal Church, nor shall it prevent me from loving those who believe that some sins are to be tolerated while others are not.
It does however greatly diminish my respect and support of those in leadership in the church.
Paul Ingram
Member of St. Francis
Episcopal Church