October 20, 2009
What Bishop Spong said
Posted by Satchel under Community, News and politics, Religion, Social justice[2] Comments
This is so good that, like virgomusic at Street Prophets, I want to quote the whole thing. But here’s how Bishop Spong’s manifesto begins:
I have made a decision. I will no longer debate the issue of homosexuality in the church with anyone. I will no longer engage the biblical ignorance that emanates from so many right-wing Christians about how the Bible condemns homosexuality, as if that point of view still has any credibility. I will no longer discuss with them or listen to them tell me how homosexuality is “an abomination to God,” about how homosexuality is a “chosen lifestyle,” or about how through prayer and “spiritual counseling” homosexual persons can be “cured.” Those arguments are no longer worthy of my time or energy.
Imagine me standing and cheering wildly.
October 20th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
He’s my guy! I happened upon a book by Bishop Spong that kept me in the Episcopal Church for enough more years to learn some important lessons. When it was finally time to move on, I was prepared. There are things he has said and done to which I have taken exception, but his personal integrity and authenticity have been qualities I never questioned.
Would to God everyone would follow his lead. Or, at least, everyone in the Progressive camp. At least, then, the Wing-Nuts on the right wouldn’t have anybody to argue with.
October 20th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I noticed that a lot of the commenters at Street Prophets were offended. But even after reading Bishop Spong’s piece again with their criticisms in mind, I can’t find fault with what he said. Like him, I’m deeply sick of arguing with people who want to start from the point of view that some group of people (women, LGBTQs, … ) are not worthy of full and unconditional inclusion in God’s family.