Women bishops and gays... d'ya think the American Episcopal Church could be the church for me?

Question

It sounds great now that it has a woman, the Bishop of Nevada, the Rt Rev Katharine Jefferts Schori, in charge and an openly gay bishop in Gene Robinson. That, for me, encapsulates all the best Christian virtues of tolerance, diversity and acceptance.

annysweety, either your answer is ironic or your name certainly is.

girlstylefashion, you did the right thing as a self professed homophobe.

Answer 1

read the story of sodom

Answer 2

The Episcopal church *doesn't* have an openly gay leader. The presiding bishop of ECUSA is Katherine Jefferts-Schori. I assume you are referring to the election of Bishop VG Robinson in New Hampshire. Bishop Robinson was legally elected by his diocese, and I don't really think there's any good reason for rejecting his ministry. It is sad that "dissidents" feel that they cannot remain in the Episcopal Church: I do not think that Episcopalians want them to go. One of the strengths of Anglicanism has always been its diversity. I think we are now seeing that this diversity can be something of a mixed blessing.

Answer 3

It is a beautiful thing that FINALLY some one acknowledges the Mother, Sofia. With out the divine feminine the world is not whole. This is just some of many things that have been said to pass. As stated before truly women have not one piece of business passing church rules. So , don't go saying no, it is written in Scripture that women can only preach, testify to the Law of Light. I do believe the Holy Word should be obeyed, but to what reasoning? Translations, and meanings have lost the proper transition in today's world. I think alot is allegory, for our own good. I do think the Godhead wants Love, Truth and Light for all, and with out a Divine Sofia it could not be so. Mari the Magdalene was just another incarnate of the Goddess of Light, Yin-Yang, Alpha-Omega. There can not be one with out the other and this is the Word of the All coming to pass!

Answer 4

You can take my place. I am a baptised and confirmed Episcopal and now I have to change to the Roman Catholic church. I saw this coming when they did the Gay Bishop. I have had to go to class just to convert. Thanks to the gay people, I have to change my religion. How wonderful. Thanks

P.S. My particular church does not condone the gay thing, the Diocese is joining the others to leave the American Episcopal Church and only associate with the European Episcopal Church.

Answer 5

If you like women bishops and gays, knock yourself out. Just be aware that those policies are currently ripping the American Episcopal Church in half right now. Some are rejoining the Anglican church from Britain. So it's not like they all agree with it.

Answer 6

I hope you are kidding. While I am as much of a supporter of female equality as anyone, the bible states that women are not to be the heads of the church and a gay bishop is almost the ultimate blasphemy. While the church is obligated, and I hope willing, to accept and love anyone who wishes to be a part of it, giving these people leadership positions is wrong based on biblical teachings.

Answer 7

I vote for the Presbyterians!

Church looks at gender-inclusive Trinity
By Richard N. Ostling
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The divine Trinity — "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" — could also be known as "Mother, Child and Womb" or "Rock, Redeemer, Friend" at some Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) services under an action Monday by the church's national assembly.
Delegates to the meeting voted to "receive" a policy paper on gender-inclusive language for the Trinity, a step short of approving it. That means church officials can propose experimental liturgies with alternative phrasings for the Trinity, but congregations won't be required to use them.
"This does not alter the church's theological position, but provides an educational resource to enhance the spiritual life of our membership," legislative committee chairwoman Nancy Olthoff, a lay member from Iowa, said during Monday's debate on the Trinity.
The assembly narrowly defeated a conservative bid to refer the paper back for further study.
A panel that had worked on the issue since 2000 said the classical language for the Trinity should still be used, but added that Presbyterians also should seek "fresh ways to speak of the mystery of the triune God" to "expand the church's vocabulary of praise and wonder."
One reason is that language limited to the Father and Son "has been used to support the idea that God is male and that men are superior to women," the panel said.
Conservatives responded that the church should stick close to the way God is named in the Bible and noted that Jesus' most famous prayer was addressed to "Our Father."
Besides "Mother, Child and Womb" and "Rock, Redeemer, Friend," proposed Trinity options drawn from biblical material include:
● "Lover, Beloved, Love"
● "Creator, Savior, Sanctifier"
● "King of Glory, Prince of Peace, Spirit of Love."
Early in Monday's business session, the Presbyterian assembly sang a revised version of a familiar doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow" that avoided male nouns and pronouns for God.
Today the assembly will vote on a proposal to give local congregations and regional "presbyteries" some leeway on ordaining clergy and lay officers living in gay relationships.
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Answer 8

While these actions show a certain liberality within the church, you really have to question where the church is going. Is it truly being progressive? Or is it unraveling its moral virtues before our very eyes? You really have to wonder.

Answer 9

Unitarian Universalists have been accepting of others for a lot longer.

My mom's UU church has a homosexual, female, Christian minister.

Answer 10

I admire their openness towards diversity. I think they have made a comfortable place for gay people to worship without shame and guilt.

Answer 11

This all may sound like the christian love for one another. But they cant have Jesus in they heart if thay do what people say they do. If it really boys with boys, and girls with girls it aint right. Jesus loves everybody, but he dont like the way some people act.