Aquila Report: More Blogs on Homoerotic Unions

http://theaquilareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7260%3Amore-blog-articles-on-same-sex-marriage-with-different-perspectives&catid=79%3Acommentary&Itemid=137

More Blog Articles on Same Sex Marriage, with different perspectives

Opinion and Commentary

Written by Staff

Saturday, 12 May 2012 00:00

Clearly this topic is the hottest around, in many different circles, and certainly among evangelical Christians. There was some talk it was the hottest topic in the history of Twitter. We are providing seven more links to the best of the rest out there. In case you missed it, here is the initial offering of eight articles on the topic. Most of the names on the list below are familiar to our readers, but many may not recognize Matt Tuininga. Matt served as The Aquila Report News Editor's (Don Clements) summer preaching intern a few years ago while a student at Westminster West. He is now a PhD candidate at Emory University in Atlanta. Here is a tease from his blog article on the topic: In the three years I have spent at a major American research university, pursuing my PhD in the field of Ethics and Society (as a concentration of Religion), there is no issue on which I have seen more browbeating, shameless slander, and manipulative argument than on the issue of homosexuality. Students who are concerned about the moral ramifications of theological or political approval of homosexuality, whether undergraduates, seminarians, or PhD Candidates like myself are literally terrified to offer careful, reasoned arguments on the subject, because they know they will not be heard. They will be described as bigots, charged with having an anti-gay agenda, or simply receive the silent treatment of utter astonishment. To argue against the morality of same-sex relationships at a research campus today is for many academics akin to arguing that we should be racist. There, I said it. The academy is not capable of having an honest, substantive conversation about the morality and justice of homosexuality. The issue is discussed, but only superficially and sentimentally. Matt Tuininga Kelly Boggs, SBC Tim Chaffey, Answers in Genesis Michael Horton (Very controversial) Brendan O'Neil (UK) Ed Stetzer Cal Thomas

Bp. Harold Miller, Dean Tom Gordon, Church of Ireland, and Gay Marriages

Bishop Harold Miller and Dean Tom Gordon, Anglican Church of Ireland

General Synod of the Church of Ireland 2012
Christ Church, Dublin, Ireland
Synod votes to affirm traditional marriage
Fissures still remain Bp. Harold Miller observes

          A senior Anglican Bishop in the Church of Ireland discusses the resolvability of tensions between traditional and liberal Churchmen on the gay dispute, noting that resolution, long term, is unlikely.  Reformation Anglicanism does not think the matter is resolvable either;  the gay advocates are hell-bent on their agenda.

          For researchers, see our “Search Button” on the right.  Reformation Anglicanism has posted several articles on the Irish Church and continues to call for an investigation into Dean Tom Gordon.  

          As for Dean Tom Gordon, the liberals would call this a “witch hunt.”  Reformation Anglicanism continues to insist on vetting elites, especially the media, but also the clerics and Bishops.  In this instance with Dean Tom Gordon, the question revolves around his suitability as a  “moral example” for an individual, family, church and even nations.  We think with the Westminster Larger Catechism, something Irish Anglicans fail to confess or assert (their loss).  Here are the relevant applications: 

Question 123: Which is the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God gives thee.

Question 124: Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?

Answer: By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God's ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.

Question 129: What is required of superiors towards their inferiors?

Answer: It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love, pray for, and bless their inferiors; to instruct, counsel, and admonish them; countenancing, commending, and rewarding such as do well; and discountenancing, reproving, and chastising such as do ill; protecting, and providing for them all things necessary for soul and body: and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God, honor to themselves, and so to preserve that authority which God has put upon them.

Question 130: What are the sins of superiors?

Answer: The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them, an inordinate seeking of themselves, their own glory, ease, profit, or pleasure; commanding things unlawful, or not in the power of inferiors to perform; counseling, encouraging, or favoring them in that which is evil; dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good; correcting them unduly; careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger; provoking them to wrath; or any way dishonoring themselves, or lessening their authority, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behavior.

          Aside from the fifth commandment and Dean Tom Gordon’s situation, we turn to a larger issue:  the gay advocates accuse traditionalist of hate, homophobia, meanness and more.  These are strenuously over-wrought objections needing correction, moderation and moral insight.  The leaders should insist on this.  Reformation Anglicanism has been involved in counseling gay Christians.  Ne’ry once was there hate, fear, or meanness. The counseling was kind, compassionate, direct and biblical.  Impenitent and non-celibate sexuality is lawlessness and sin. 

          Here are some ninth commandment concerns that need to operate in these discussions.  Correction of these frequent and false charges by gay advocates against Confessional and Catholic Christians, need these corrections. 

Question 143: Which is the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Question 144: What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice, and in all other things: Whatsoever; a charitable esteem of our neighbors; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name; sorrowing for, and covering of their infirmities; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces, defending their innocency; a ready receiving of a good report, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report, concerning them; discouraging talebearers, flatterers, and slanderers; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requires; keeping of lawful promises; studying and practicing of: Whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.

Question 145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calls for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, tale bearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vainglorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering: What we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.

          Here is an article about Bishop Harold Miller and his view that the “gay issue” in the Church of Ireland is un-resolvable.   Given the current leadership, it probably is not resolvable.  With courageous leaders, however, this is a 10-minute issue.  See: http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/church-may-never-resolve-gay-dispute-says-bishop-1-3841197

Church may never resolve gay dispute – says Bishop

Bishop Harold Miller pictured at his offices in Belfast
Published on Tuesday 15 May 2012 08:46

A SENIOR Church of Ireland bishop has said that he doubts whether the divide on homosexuality between conservatives and liberals in the church can be reconciled.

The Bishop of Down and Dromore, Harold Miller, said that the debate over whether same-sex relationships were sinful or normal had not been resolved anywhere in the Anglican Communion and questioned whether Irish Anglicans could find middle ground between the two positions.

In his first in-depth interview since it became public last year that a serving Church of Ireland cleric, Dean Tom Gordon, had entered a civil partnership, Bishop Miller told the News Letter that the development had created a “serious situation”.

Bishop Miller, who is the leading conservative bishop in Ireland, said that it would be “very helpful” for Dean Gordon to now say whether he was in a sexual relationship with his partner.

His comments follow a victory for conservatives within the church who on Saturday secured more than two-thirds of the votes in the church’s General Synod for a motion which backed traditional marriage, despite the public opposition of two liberal bishops.

When asked whether the two positions within the church – that homosexuality should be celebrated and that same-sex relationships are sinful – were in any way reconcilable, Bishop Miller said: “They have not been reconcilable in the Anglican Communion.

“This was clarified at the 1998 Lambeth [conference] and groups have continued down, as it were, a certain direction. They have not been reconcilable in the Communion so I doubt if those two views are in the end reconcilable.”

Asked then what in that case the point was of continuing to discuss the issue, he said: “I don’t think that a dialogue is held only to see if two definite positions are reconcilable. A dialogue is held so that each position has clearly heard each other...and all of us going into a dialogue have to have a preparedness to look at our own points of view and reflect on our own points of view.

“But I couldn’t say that I really have great hope that the two opposite positions will suddenly come together into one.”

Bishop Miller said that he did not personally see any problem with the three motions put to the church’s General Synod last Thursday in an attempt to help clarify the church’s teaching on marriage and same-sex relationships and was “very disappointed” when debate was stopped.

Bishop Miller said that as the motions stood on Thursday the word “therefore” — to which the liberal Bishop Michael Burrows objected — “quite obviously” referred to the preceding paragraph, not the preamble to the motion.

However, he said that that was “neither here nor there” as he went by the ruling of the Archbishop, whom he said had given a “wise” decision not to debate the motions, something which he said was “not in any way a political decision”.

“I felt that we may not have anything to put to the synod and that worried me because when you don’t have anything to put to the synod, especially a synod that actually wants to discuss it – and the synod did want to discuss it – you create a vacuum.

“And when you create a vacuum, if there are any disagreements the gulf can become wider. So I was very exercised that the thing should be discussed at this year’s General Synod.”

However, despite his unhappiness at the three motions not being debated on Thursday, Bishop Miller said he now believed that it was better to combine them in a single motion and remove the preamble which referred to the fallout from Dean Gordon’s civil partnership.

“I think it was better and more than two-thirds of the synod voted for it but for those who didn’t, I have to recognise that some of them feel very strongly about it. I can’t quite get to the core of what the issue is for them.”

Opponents of the motion argued that it could become a pretext for a “witch hunt” against gay clergy and possibly even lead to a retrospective attempt to bring Dean Gordon and Bishop Burrows before an ecclesiastical court over Dean Gordon’s civil partnership.

But Bishop Miller said that in his view the motion made no difference to Dean Gordon, who he said could not be disciplined retrospectively based on a motion which had not been passed when he entered his partnership.

“If anybody was bringing either Bishop Burrows or Dean Tom Gordon to an ecclesiastical court, it would have to be on the basis of what was in place when the problem occurred.

“The motion wasn’t creating something new – it was just restating [doctrine]. So it makes not the slightest bit of difference.”

And Bishop Miller hit out at liberals for alleging that a “witch hunt” could take place against gay clergy, something he said that he had “never ever seen” in the “generous” church.

Update: Anglican Church of Ireland Reaffirms Traditional Marriage

The Latest on the Anglican Church of Ireland’s Recent Synod:  Reaffirms Traditional Marriage

          The Rev. Alan McCann, a Rector in the Anglican Church of Ireland (CoI), has written an interesting update on the recent vote in CoI upholding traditional teachings on marriage.

          The Rev. Alan McCann is Rector of Holy Trinity Woodburn, Diocese of Connor. He is a founding member of Reform Ireland. Holy Trinity is the youngest parish in the Church of Ireland, being a church plant from St Nicholas' Carrickfergus. Membership is now 300. McCann received his B.A.(Hons) in Business Studies at the University Ulster, Jordanstown, before doing his B.Th. at Trinity College Dublin. He completed his M.Phil. at The Queens University, Belfast, and wrote his thesis on the  “The Charismatic Movement in the Church of Ireland, a Historical and Theological Introduction.” 

          Here are some earlier stories from Rev. McCann that we covered as the recent CoI Synod was approaching. 

Dr. Alan McCann: Review of Church of Ireland & Conference on Gay Issues” at: http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2012/03/dr-alan-mccann-review-of-church-of.html

Rev.Dr. Alan McCann: Calls for Repentance by Irish Dean and Bishops in Church of Ireland” at:

http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2012/03/revdr-alan-mccann-calls-for-repentance.html

Dr. McCann: "Oh Ireland, `Division is Inevitable'" at: http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2012/03/dr-mccann-oh-ireland-division-is.html

Here’s Rev. McCann’s latest on the recent Irish Synod.  See: http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=15984

IRELAND: Synod in conflict for soul of the Church of Ireland
By Alan McCann in Dublin
Special to virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
May 14, 2012

Just to let you know that the motion was passed today. All of the amendments, four in total, were defeated by a 2:1 ratio in the house of laity and house of clergy.e motion itself was passed 3:1 in the house of laity and 80 in favour, 60 against in the house of clergy.

When the Bishops voted it was 10:2 in favour of the motion, with the Bishop of Cork and Bishop of Cashel and Ossory voting against the motion.
On the whole the debate was respectful, courteous and not without some humour on occasions.

Personally, the most powerful speech of the day came from one of our ecumenical guests, Father Ireanaeus du Plessiis.

He spoke from a deep personal faith and conviction, with great courage warned the General Synod against acting unilateral and changing the doctrine of marriage which the church catholic has held to for nearly 2000 years.

He gently but firmly spoke about his own Antiochian Church and how for them the matter of human sexuality was settled nearly 2000 years ago by the Church catholic - that marriage is between one man and one woman and outside of this all were to remain celibate.

He lovingly spoke of 'holy space' and not just the 'safe place' that the motion mentioned. He also reminded those present, and especially the clergy, that we were to be holy because God is Holy.

In my heart I wished we had such leadership speaking with such conviction, clarity and courage before a general synod. God used this man in a powerful way today.

The passing of the motion was received in respectful silence, as requested by the Archbishop if Armagh. He had chaired this part of synod with fairness and allowed a long time for people to put their viewpoints.

It was disappointing and to be honest hurtful to then read what can only be described as a vitriolic diatribe on certain liberal and pro-gay blogs immediately the vote was announced.

However, that came as no surprise as members of Changing Attitude Ireland, who attended as visitors, stood at the back of the synod hall during the vote.

Personally it did not intimidate or annoy me to have to walk past these individuals to go into the voting lobby but I know some synod members did feel it was intimidating to have to do so.

Thankfully, the Church of Ireland synod has restated this is what the Church teaches concerning marriage and the 'only normative place for sexual intercourse.'

Thankfully it has also condemned language and actions that bring hurt, shame and fear into the lives of others (irrespective of sexuality).

It has committed the Standing Committee of the General Synod to bring before Synod next year proposals for a Select Committee and its terms of reference.

I for one am not gloating over the passing of this motion. It pains me to belong to a Church which at one point appeared to be unclear as to what it actually has taught and does teach about marriage.

It pains me that some people would want to move away from God's revealed will for mankind in the area of human sexuality but I am encouraged by the actions of General Synod today.

The result of the vote has been a tirade of negative comments from the pro-gay lobby both inside the Church of Ireland and further afield.

On BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence the chairwoman of Changing Attitudes Ireland, Canon Ginnie Kennerly, even complained that members of synod stayed on the third day of synod to vote.

Imagine, complaining that people actually turned up, as they were elected to do, for the last day of synod and exercised their democratic right to vote. It would appear you are only allowed to turn up on the last day if you vote in a certain way.

This motion doesn't actually change anything in the Church of Ireland as it simply restates the teaching of the Church. However, it does restate the standard against which teaching and practice is to be measured. The liberal revisionist pro-gay lobby are already seeking to demonise those who voted for this motion and who adhere to the teaching of canon 31, and the prayer book on marriage, as those determined to go on a 'witch hunt' for gays within the Church of Ireland.

Such propagating of untruth has come as no surprise to many who have had to live with this for years from the pro-gay lobby. It falls into line with the pre-synod lied that no gay people were invited to the Cavan Conference.

Changing Attitude Ireland were invited to put forward a speaker for the conference and they (the seemingly inclusive group) put forward their chairperson, Cannon Kennerly, and then complained that no gay people were speaking - despite the fact that two of the keynote speakers identified themselves as homosexuals.

It would be good if in the listening process that the truth was actually spoken and half-truths and outright lies were not pedalled. It would appear that certain members of the pro-gay lobby believe spin = truth.

END

Cardinal Timothy Dolan Confronts Obama's Views on Homoerotic Unions

          Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Chief of Chiefs in the Roman communion, responded quickly to Obama’s declaration supporting homoerotic unions.  In doing preliminary research, it appears that—nationwide—many Roman bishops are doing the same thing.   The Roman communion is responding more clearly and with defintion than Western Anglicans.  Here’s an update from the “Catholic News Agency.”

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-dolan-obamas-gay-marriage-support-undermines-society/

Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Cardinal Dolan: Obama's 'gay marriage' support undermines society 

By Michelle Bauman 

Washington D.C., May 10, 2012 / 02:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is charging President Barack Obama with undermining the “very cornerstone of society” by supporting “gay marriage.”

Cardinal Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, described the president’s endorsement as “deeply saddening.”

The bishops “cannot be silent in the face of words or actions that would undermine the institution of marriage, the very cornerstone of our society,” he said in a May 9 statement. “The people of this country, especially our children, deserve better.”

Cardinal Dolan said that the announcement was “not surprising” based on the Obama administration’s previous actions, which “erode or ignore the unique meaning of marriage.”

He called for prayer and efforts to “promote and protect marriage” in order to “serve the true good of all persons.”

In an unprecedented move, Obama announced his support for “same-sex marriage” in a May 9 interview with ABC News' Robin Roberts.

“I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married,” he said.

The announcement came just days after U.S. Vice President Joe Biden told NBC's David Gregory that he is “absolutely comfortable” with the idea of homosexual couples marrying.

Previously, Obama had stopped short of endorsing “gay marriage,” saying instead that he opposes discrimination against gay individuals but that his views on the question of marriage were “evolving.”

However, his actions as president have won the praise of gay advocacy groups.

His administration announced in Feb. 2011 that it would not uphold the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman for federal purposes.

He also signed a law repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military.

Obama’s latest statement places him in firm disagreement with presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who has signed a pledge to uphold marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Romney was quick to voice his opposition to Obama’s stance.

"I have the same view on marriage that I had when I was governor and that I’ve expressed many times,” he said at a May 9 campaign event in Oklahoma. “I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman.”

He explained that states can “make decisions with regards to domestic partnership benefits, such as hospital visitation rights,” but “marriage itself is a relationship between a man and a woman.”

Acknowledging that the issue is “a very tender and sensitive” one about which “other people have differing views,” Romney reiterated his own conviction, which he has held “since running for office.”

Several political commentators have suggested that Obama’s support for “gay marriage” does not reflect the views of the American people and could have a significant political impact in the November 6, 2012 election.

“Marriage was created long before any government came into existence,” said Catholic Advocate president Matt Smith.

He warned that if Obama’s advocacy for same-sex “marriage” succeeds, “Catholic institutions could be forced once again to violate our beliefs.”

“Many faithful Catholics were fooled by clever political rhetoric in 2008,” added Smith. “This year, the anti-Catholic record of the Obama administration should inform their vote.”

So far, 30 states have passed constitutional amendments banning “gay marriage,” including North Carolina, where voters approved such a measure by an overwhelming margin on May 8.

Tony Perkins, president of the D.C.-based Family Research Council, pointed to the recent North Carolina vote as evidence that “redefining marriage remains outside the mainstream of American politics, especially in the critical battleground states and among minority voters.”

He observed that the North Carolina amendment received over 60 percent of the vote in majority-black counties.

A Pew Research Center survey in April 2012 found that only 39 percent of African Americans are in favor of “gay marriage.”

Perkins noted that 10 of 16 key battleground states have passed amendments to protect marriage. He said that Obama’s announcement “ensures that marriage will again be a major issue in the presidential election.”

Anglican Church of Ireland Flubbing Around on Homoerotica

         Never has so much noise been made by so few with so little doctrine resulting in such great fear!  The Anglican Church of Ireland finds itself in the cultural morass!  What cowardice!  Get on with it!  Be kind, courageous, loving, but firm, direct and a "light in the cultural and moral darkness!"  What is the problem here with the leaders? 

         The one true, historic, catholic, biblical, reformed, confessional, creedal, invisible, visible, elect, justified, adopted and unvanquishable Church of Jesus Christ is watching!  So is the Triune God watching! 

          David Virtue carries an article at: http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=15972

Gay clergy could face witch-hunt if Church of Ireland synod backs motions, say campaigners

By Liam Clarke
THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/
May 10, 2012

A controversial motion to be put to the Church of Ireland's General Synod stating that only sex within marriage is "normative" could lead to a "witch-hunt" against gay clergy, campaigners have said.

More than 20 gay, lesbian and bisexual Anglicans have signed a letter published in today's Belfast Telegraph objecting to Resolution 8A, which states that marriage can only occur between one man and one woman for the "procreation and nurture of children". It adds that monogamous marriage is the "only normative context for sexual relationships".

Signatories argue that, if passed, Church members in same-sex relationships will be stigmatised.

The term "normative" - meaning right or ideal - is used in three motions on 'Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief'.

They are tabled for discussion at the General Synod, which is effectively the Church's annual general meeting, in Dublin tomorrow.

The motions are all proposed by Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson, and Harold Millar, the Bishop of Down and Dromore. It would be a major upset if they were not passed - but they will be opposed.

"There is a 'don't ask, don't tell', attitude towards homosexuals in the Church of Ireland," said Gerry Lynch, a member of the church board of St George's Parish in Belfast, as well as a delegate to the diocesan synod.

"It allows a very unhealthy situation to develop where you can be gay as long as everyone agrees in public that you are not really."

Mr Lynch is a former Church of Ireland missionary and former general secretary of the Alliance Party.

Other opponents who signed the letter include David Norris, who ran for the Irish Presidency last year, Canon Ian Sherwood, a Church of Ireland clergyman serving in Europe, and Jeff Dudgeon, the gay rights campaigner and Ulster Unionist Party member.

Mr Lynch said he joined the Church of Ireland in 1997, partly because of his shared faith with a prominent Anglican with whom he has been in a monogamous relationship ever since.

"I felt it was somewhere I could be gay with integrity, I felt it was more open than the Catholic Church, but there were also theological reasons," said the former missionary.

He added: "A lot of Anglicans are gay. In my experience an unusually high proportion of clergy are gay and in private they can be open about it. People don't really care as long as nothing is said in public."

Other motions will say the Church "welcomes all people to be members" and calls for a standing committee to be set up which will report to next year's synod.

There was controversy last July when Portadown-born Rev Tom Gordon, a former lecturer at the Church of Ireland theological college who is co-ordinator of religious programmes for RTE, entered into a civil partnership with his partner of 20 years. It later emerged that Rev Gordon, now a dean in Carlow, had received prior approval from his bishop.

Officially, however, vicars can lose their jobs if they admit to homosexuality and there is a complaint.

*****

Worldwide schism has little hope of healing

Analysis

by Alf McCreary

THE latest protest by the pro-gay lobby in the Church of Ireland over the handling of the same-sex issue is predictable.

The bishops had little option but to confirm current Christian teaching that marriage is a permanent union between a man and a woman.

This is one of three resolutions at the law-making General Synod tomorrow in St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

A large group of Church members describing themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual have written an open letter to complain about not being consulted by the bishops. They claim the resolutions stigmatise any sexual relationship outside opposite-sex marriage as not "normative".

Same-sex relationships are at the heart of a worldwide schism within Anglicanism.

The controversy became a live issue in Ireland last year after it was reported that Dean of Leighlin Tom Gordon had entered into a civil partnership with his male companion.

The Church of Ireland attempted to address the issue in depth at a meeting in March, but no decisions were taken. Inevitably the General Synod now has to tackle this crunch issue.

The bishops want the synod to reinforce traditional Church teaching on marriage, to ask people to "oppose all unbiblical and uncharitable actions and attitudes" regarding human sexuality, and to allow the Church to start forming a select committee this time next year.

This attempt by the bishops to cool things down and to move the issue forward slowly will not receive sympathy from the pro-gay lobby in what will be a passionate debate on Thursday.

The synod may try to reach a compromise rather than reject the resolutions outright, but - whatever happens - this increasingly intense controversy at the heart of the Church of Ireland and the other main Protestant churches will not go away.

*****

Should the Church of Ireland accept gay marriage?

NO say Archbishop Michael Jackson and Bishop Harold Millar

Marriage is in its purpose a union permanent and life-long, for better or worse, till death do them part, of one man with one woman, to the exclusion of all others on either side, for the procreation and nurture of children, for the hallowing and right direction of natural instincts and affections.

Faithfulness within marriage is the only normative context for sexual intercourse. Members of the Church of Ireland are required by catechism to keep their bodies in "temperance, soberness and chastity".

Clergy are called in the Ordinal to be "wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Jesus Christ".

The Church of Ireland affirms a continuing commitment to love our neighbour, and opposition to all unbiblical and uncharitable actions and attitudes in respect of human sexuality, from whatever perspective.

YES say Church member Gerry Lynch and other campaigners for gay rights

By stating that faithfulness within marriage is the only "normative" context for sex, Resolution 8A imposes a condition that people in faithful same-gender relationships cannot comply with.

The implication that members of the Church of Ireland in relationships other than marriage are in breach of the catechism gives legitimacy, for the first time, to excluding lay people in same-gender relationships from Holy Communion.

Resolution 8A provides a pretext to launch witch-hunts against gay clergy in liberal dioceses. This has happened in the Anglican Church in Australia since similar motions were passed by its General Synod in 2004.

There is a culture of fear in parts of the Church of Ireland, especially for clergy. That is why some of us can only sign this letter anonymously.

END

Archbishop Cranmer Attacked for Views on Homoerotic Unions and Traditional Marriage

          One of our favorite bloggers is “Archbishop Cranmer,” a British blogger.  His Grace  writes with pizzazz, insight, humor and “Cranmerian judiciousness” on a host of political, cultural and religious issues.  The fictitious CANTAUR playfully plays the ventriloquist for our ancestral and influential Archbishop (murdered in the first degree during Queen Mary 1's times).  We highly recommend this blogsite. 

          Recently, the “Coalition for Marriage,” has been a British effort to garner signatories—a petition drive—in support of traditional marriage versus homoerotic and civil partnerships.  The Church of England’s leadership, despite their legal theological formularies, is obtuse and is politely whacked on the issue.  ABC Cranmer, however, in support of this effort and coalition for traditional marriage, has received a push-back from some pro-gay lobbyists in England.  It sounds like some legal or administrative action is in view.  That’s the story in His Grace’s blog-report.

          This narrative is coming to the U.S.  These pro-gay lobbies don’t play.   They are extremely loud and angry.  The word "gay-fascism," as to legitmacy of use, is being reviewed.  The "hostility and hate rhetoric" coming from, for example, America's MSNBC channel has been staggering and enlightening.  I've begun calling MSNBC cable-hosts "press secretaries, stenographers, dictationists, salesmen, marionettes and ventriloquists" for Mr. Barak Obama. At my age, I never considered that this would need responses, but alas, we're in the "Anglican exile" with few expectations of ecclesiastical support in our quarters.  The British issues are fast becoming American ones.

          His Grace prudently states: 

                  "Since His Grace does not dwell in Iran, North Korea, Soviet Russia,  Communist China or Nazi Germany, but occupies a place in the cyber-ether suspended somewhere between purgatory and paradise, he is minded to ignore that request. Who do these people think they are?"

          We wish His Grace well in the days ahead and we recommend following his blog.

         We reproduce Archbishop Cranmer’s post below at:  http://archbishop-cranmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/advertising-standards-authority.html .  We recommend giving "Archbishop Cranmer" regular reviews.   

Advertising Standards Authority persecutes His Grace   

Apparently there have been a number of complaints about one of the advertisements His Grace carried on behalf of the Coalition for Marriage. He has been sent all manner of official papers, formal documentation and threatening notices which demand answers to sundry questions by a certain deadline. He is instructed by the ‘Investigations Executive’ of this inquisition to keep all this confidential.

Since His Grace does not dwell in Iran, North Korea, Soviet Russia, Communist China or Nazi Germany, but occupies a place in the cyber-ether suspended somewhere between purgatory and paradise, he is minded to ignore that request. Who do these people think they are?

The advertisement in question is reproduced above. His Grace would like to make it clear to the ASA that he is reproducing this allegedly ‘offensive and homophobic’advertisement as an educative illustration of allegedly offensive and homophobic advertising; not as an offensive and homophobic advertisement per se. Naturally, His Grace apologises in advance to all those who find this educative illustration offensive and homophobic, for it is never his intention to be either offensive or homophobic. But those of you who do find it offensive and homophobic are free not to visit His Grace’s blog whenever you wish.

The specific complaint relates to:

c. An online ad, seen on the blog of ‘Archbishop Cranmer’, featured photos of couples on their wedding day on the first frame. The second frame stated “I do”. The third frame stated “70% of people* say keep marriage as it is ... (Source: ComRes poll for Catholic Voices)”. The final frame stated “Help us keep the true meaning of marriage. PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION Click here ... Coalition for Marriage”.

The 'Issue' here is that 24 anonymous complainants, 'including the Jewish Gay & Lesbian Group' (doubtless disclosed to give weight to the allegations), challenged whether the claim '70% of people say keep marriage as it is'. However, His Grace is not required to respond to that point, since he did not conduct the research. But it transpires that 10 of these 24 complainants objected that the ads were ‘offensive’and ‘homophobic’, and he is requested to respond to these allegations ‘under CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 and 3.3 (Misleading advertising), 3.7 (Substantiation) and 4.1 (Harm and offence)’.

He is informed:

We intend to deal with the complaint as a formal investigation, which means it will be considered by the ASA Council. We will then draft a recommendation for the Council based on your response to us. Once the Council has made a decision, the adjudication will be published on our website.

...We require you to explain your rationale for the ad and comment specifically on the points raised in the attached complaint notification...

They need to see ‘robust documentary evidence to back the claims and a clear explanation from you of its relevance and why you think it substantiates the claims. It is not enough to send references to or abstracts of documents and papers without sending the reports in full and specifically highlighting the relevant parts explaining why they are relevant to the matter in hand’.

His Grace is asked specifically to respond to the allegation that this:

this:

this: 

and this:  

are ‘homophobic and offensive’.

His response must be in writing, ‘preferably by e-mail’, by 21 May (typed in bold). If His Grace is unable to comply, he must ‘explain why you are unable to respond sooner and agree a timetable for your response’.

And then we get: ‘If you are not the right person to deal with this letter please tell us and pass the letter on to someone who is.’ His Grace is minded to respond that inflicting such an inquisition on an already appallingly-persecuted long-dead archbishop is perhaps not appropriate. He could then ‘pass the letter on to someone’ he thinks might be the ‘right person’, wondering for how long he might string this out...

His Grace is further minded to respond that he has neither fear of nor hatred for the gay and lesbian community, though he is a little pissed off with 10 of them. They could easily have emailed His Grace with their complaint, and we could all have had a jolly good chinwag about the whole thing. Instead, they called in the Gestapo to censor the assertion that marriage is a life-long union between one man and one woman, in accordance with the teaching of the Established Church, the beliefs of its Supreme Governor, and the law of the land.

But to say so is now, apparently, ‘offensive and homophobic’.

Well, His Grace won’t be censored. He is further minded to provide the ASA with a copy of his well-publicised ‘bottom line’ (from the right-hand margin):

Freedom of speech must be tolerated, and everyone living in the United Kingdom must accept that they may be insulted about their own beliefs, or indeed be offended, and that is something which they must simply endure, not least because some suffer fates far worse...

Unless, of course, we are no longer free, our democracy is no longer liberal, and it is now an offence to express the moderate view of the majority and promote the orthodox teaching of the Church of England Established.