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The truth about God's lesbian and gay children suffered a tragic
(though temporary) setback this Wednesday, August 5, 1998. In
Canterbury, England, bishops from 160 nations representing 70 million
Anglicans worldwide
(including the Episcopal Church in the U.S.) voted 526 to 70 (with 40
abstentions) that homosexual practice is incompatible with the Bible,
that the
churches will not endorse the blessing of same-sex marriage or the
ordination
of non-celibate gay men and lesbians.
Our faithful friend, Bishop John Shelby Spong reacted with his
usual
candor and courage: "Once you take a prejudice and put it out in the
clear
light of day," he said, "the prejudice is finally doomed." Now, until
that
day, how do we respond to this latest triumph over truth by untruth?
Before volunteering to work with the Universal Fellowship of
Metropolitan Community Churches, my partner, Gary, and I were long time
members of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California, a
congregation
that welcomes gays into full and unqualified membership. We thank God
for all
the individual bishops, clergy, and laity who are struggling to bring the
truth in love relentlessly to the Anglican church. We know how painful
this
Lambeth decision must be to millions of Anglicans, especially to the
people of
Integrity (our lesbian sisters and gay brothers and their allies in the
Episcopal church.) We promise them our prayerful support.
Each person of faith must determine how he or she will respond to
this
tragic decision. But the Soulforce principles of relentless nonviolent
resistance (as taught by Jesus, Gandhi, and King) make one thing clear.
In
Gandhi's words, "It is as much our moral obligation NOT to cooperate with
evil
as it is to cooperate with good." The Lambeth decision is evil. It
lends
credibility to the untruth that leads to suffering and death for Godís
gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered children. We must not cooperate
with
that evil decision.
How each of us responds is a deeply personal decision. But if we
do NOT
respond, if we let the forces of untruth triumph without protest, if we
refuse
to stand for truth, we will break the heart of Christ and our own souls
will
begin to die a little.
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For more Soulforce information visit Mel White's homepage.
The Lambeth Conference of Bishops 1998
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