Gays and the Episcopal Church

If for some bizarre, unfathomable reason I ever decided to return to Church, it would probably be to an Episcopal congregation.

I see the Episcopals have elected their first female leader, Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. While I still find the idea of female clergy a little strange, this particular bishop appears to have her head screwed on straight about a thing or two.

She doesn’t consider homosexuality a sin and supported the ordination of a gay bishop in New Hampshire, a move that got a considerable negative reaction from other, more conservative, branches of the Episcopal Church.

As a matter of fact the homosexuality issue appears to be causing some significant fractures in the church organization. While I wouldn’t shed a tear if all religion disappeared from the face of the earth, the Episcopals, more often than not, tend to be a voice of reason and when they're weakened other more conservative, and therefore more dangerous, elements benefit and that's not a good thing.

For instance, consider Schori’s attitude toward the bible. "The Bible has a great deal to teach us about how to live as human beings. The Bible does not have so much to teach us about what sorts of food to eat, what sorts of clothes to wear -- there are rules in the Bible about those that we don't observe today.”

I only have one question for the bishop based upon that quote. Do you really believe that the bible has anything to “teach us about how to live as human beings” that’s unique, that wasn’t said earlier, and perhaps better, by some pagan or secular source?

For instance, many people believe that the moral teachings of Jesus are unique, but that’s not really true.

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Jesus of Nazareth (c. 30 CE)

“What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to others." -Confucius (c. 520 BCE)

This is the famous “Golden Rule” which has been expressed by religions and secular philosophers since the dawn of time. You can even get a “Golden Rule” Poster with 13 expressions of the rule from around the world.

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." – Jesus of Nazareth (c. 30 CE)

“It is impossible for an exceptionally good man to be exceptionally rich.” – Plato (c. 370 BCE)

“Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” – Jesus of Nazareth (c. 30 CE)

“It’s never right to do wrong and never right to take revenge; nor is it right to give evil for evil, or in the case of one who has suffered some injury, to attempt to get even." – Socrates (c. 400 BCE)

So while I accept the idea that the bible is AN ethical source, when people start claiming that it is THE ethical source and the only one ratified and approved by the almighty "I'll send you to hell for all eternity if you don't listen to me" Sky Daddy, I start reaching for my AKM.