In 2003, the Episcopal Church accepted its first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, causing some conservative church members to walk away from the church. Now, that division is reaching new heights.
With ties already severed with many of its conservative members, the Episcopal Church voted overwhelmingly to allow gay bishops and to permit all bishops to bless same-sex unions.
Our research highlights the continued controversy of the decision, both from liberal and conservative perspectives.
First, NBC’s Today Show gives us a perspective of the turmoil in the Episcopal Church, sitting down with the first FEMALE Presiding Bishop, who supports same-sex rights.
“I try to accompany them in their pain, and to say that I understand how difficult this change has been for you. And to say we’re not going to abandon anyone, we’re going to hold up that blessed diversity that has been the hallmark of the Anglican way of understanding.”
PBS includes a traditional perspective on same-sex issues in religion, talking to Mark Tooley, the President of the Institute on Religion and Democracy who says policy shouldn’t change.
“The church shouldn’t just go along with what the wider society demands of it, but the church is ideally supposed to be faithful to timeless teachings that have been presented to the church through it’s scripture and through its traditions.”
NPR examines the debacle through the scope of public relations. They speak with a California priest and gay rights activist, who says now that there has been a change, the church should move on.
“A church that is obsessed with fighting over whether or not gay and lesbian people can be bishops is not real attractive. I mean, 'Come watch us argue over gay people' is not a great marketing scheme. And I'm of the mind the decisions we're making are going to encourage church growth rather than decline.”
But will it really encourage growth worldwide? We found two perspectives about the Anglican Church out of Rwanda. ScrippsNews says America’s Episcopal branch leads the way, while AllAfrica.com doesn’t see that happening.
"You see, America is at the center of everything. It's the American church and its concerns that count the most." (Scripps News)
“...Rwanda will continue spreading a message of hope in an attempt to save mankind from falling into satanic pit.” (AllAfrica.com)
So do you think the Episcopal church’s decisions are the right ones, and what consequences do they bring, if any?
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