Skip to comments.
Gay Bishop-elect Robinson Mocks Critics
BBC News ^
Posted on 10/21/2003 4:35:11 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
Gay US bishop mocks critics
By David Bamford BBC correspondent in Manchester, New Hampshire
"Live free or die" is the motto of the state of New Hampshire. The phrase captures the passionately liberal spirit of this corner of New England, just an hour's drive from where the first shots of the American revolution began.
Now a new revolution of sorts could be underway here - with worldwide ramifications for the Anglican movement - to the backdrop of a stunning explosion of autumn colours for which this part of the world is famed. Local Episcopalians - belonging to the American wing of the Anglican community - gathered on Sunday in the draughty hall of Grace Church in this picture postcard town on the swirling Merrimack River.
They were there to take part in a question and answer session offered by New Hampshire's controversial Anglican Bishop-elect, Gene Robinson - a declared homosexual.
If his consecration goes ahead as planned on 2 November, the first openly gay bishop in the global Anglican community.
"You can ask me anything you want," he told his audience with a grin, "and believe me, I've been asked it all, so you won't embarrass me."
But this was a friendly gathering, fully supportive of his election as bishop in August by the New Hampshire Episcopal clergy and laity.
Among those looking on at the gathering was Canon Robinson's partner.
Schism looms
A lone objector stood outside the hall. "I want the world to know that New Hampshire did not vote for this man," said Edna Swank.
"The convention was fixed by the clergy," she said. "As a small child I was taught that sexual activity outside of marriage was a sin. I'm not judging him as a person, but what he does is the same as adultery."
Mrs Swank's view that Canon Robinson should not be installed is one that is shared by a sizeable minority in more conservative parts of the US.
You can't elevate a piece of historical scripture to give it a modern significance it does not have Canon Robinson on the Bible and gays She conceded that as a human being, it was hard not to like Canon Robinson. But that was not the issue, she insisted. "What bothers me most is that a schism is occurring and that breaks my heart," she said.
Canon Robinson, plastic coffee cup in hand, was meanwhile warming the crowd inside the church hall, with slightly irreverent humour on the origins of the Anglican Church.
He said that Queen Elizabeth I - when asked whether people should continue to cross themselves as the Catholics did - declared that "all may, none must, but some ought".
"That's kind of how we Anglicans in this country look at the world," he said.
Shellfish
He took issue with those who quoted the Book of Leviticus to him and claimed that through the Bible, God forbade homosexuality.
The Bishop-elect, winning himself a ripple of laughter, said Leviticus also forbids the consumption of shellfish, but we still eat it.
"You can't elevate a piece of historical scripture to give it a modern significance it does not have," he said. "The Bible is the story written by us about our love affair with God," he said.
A majority of US bishops of the Episcopal Church endorsed Canon Robinson's election, saying what mattered was the content of his character, not his sexual orientation.
Since then, Anglican primates from the around the world have met in London and warned the US branch that its stance will be seen by many as out of step with the mainstream of the Church.
Rather than being a bold progressive statement, they say, it is the consequence of a parochial selfishness.
The American bishops see it as an opportunity for the Anglican Church to be honest with itself - and with its God.
Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/3206532.stm
Published: 2003/10/20 09:05:15 GMT
© BBC MMIII
TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: New Hampshire
KEYWORDS: apostasy; episcopalchurch; homosexualbishop; mockery
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61 next last
To: governsleastgovernsbest
41
posted on
10/21/2003 6:36:52 AM PDT
by
EdReform
(Support Free Republic - Become a Monthly Donor)
To: EdReform
"This is one of the hardest things I'll ever do," said the Rev Gene Robinson at Grace Church, Manchester, New Hampshire. "I do have this sense I'm supposed to go forward, and I do feel that's coming from God and not my own ego." Oh pleeeaze. It's apparent where this is coming from and I for one believe God will handle this matter personnally with the Rev Gene Robinson.
42
posted on
10/21/2003 6:57:38 AM PDT
by
HarleyD
To: governsleastgovernsbest
A majority of US bishops of the Episcopal Church endorsed Canon Robinson's election, saying what mattered was the content of his character, not his sexual orientation. Fine. What is the content of his character when he left his wife and kids to shack up with another lover... even leaving out the homosexual issue?
43
posted on
10/21/2003 7:14:28 AM PDT
by
pgyanke
("The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God" - C.S. Lewis)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
To my knowledge, Jesus never said anything overriding the Old Testament prohibition of homosexuality But the Lord Jesus Christ did address Adultery, which was in plain view at this event (the lover being present) and the abandoned wife and children naught. What is happening here is significant adulteration of religion, like Judaism and Baal worship... the results are horrendous to children and families.
But the Apostle Paul Romans, and the Epistles, blasts homosxuality. So the Bishop-Elect has three witness against him, Chirst, Moses and the Apostle Paul.
When the Old and New Testament agree on something and someone tries to bend it like this, it reveals what is really going on... the enemy is afoot and repentance is needed badly. Pray that the Lord grants repentance lest He remove the lampstand.
44
posted on
10/21/2003 7:47:11 AM PDT
by
sr4402
To: camle
He sounds like everything that you said....AND...
It sounds like he gets to wear a dress! ;^)
45
posted on
10/21/2003 7:56:30 AM PDT
by
headsonpikes
(Spirit of '76 bttt!)
To: Ronin
That was in the Old Testament, but Jesus came not to destroy the law. Oh I am not very good at this, but a man said to Jesus can we eat this and Jesus said he had come not to destroy the law, but and i forget the exact words. They keep using the same old lines to defend their homosexual agenda. I can get your more information later
46
posted on
10/21/2003 8:03:30 AM PDT
by
mel
(Glad to say a former Episcopalian)
To: camle
Exactly.
To: ahadams2
ping
48
posted on
10/21/2003 9:34:36 AM PDT
by
Eala
(FR Traditional Anglican Directory: http://eala.freeservers.com/anglican)
To: ahadams2; Eala; Grampa Dave; AnAmericanMother; sweetliberty; N. Theknow; Ray'sBeth; mel; ...
BBC just editted the title of this one on their website, I wonder why? Ping! :-)
49
posted on
10/21/2003 9:39:01 AM PDT
by
ahadams2
( Anglicanism: the next reformation begins NOW)
To: mtbopfuyn
I really doubt God wants the church torn apart. I'm sure this is the case, but hasn't it already happened? These people believe and have believed for some time that what they're doing is OK by God. Hasn't that belief itself already torn the church apart?
Jesus said if your eye offends you, pluck it out. Perhaps this is God's way of "cleansing" His Church of those who have already left it in every way but physically.
To: Ronin
Read Acts 10.
51
posted on
10/21/2003 9:58:37 AM PDT
by
Guillermo
( Proud Infidel)
To: ahadams2
Good catch. The original headline said Robinson "mocks" critics. Now he "replies" to them.
I'd say when you lead the audience in laughter about how laws against homosexuality are just as passe as OT dietary laws that are no longer obeyed, you're mocking.
To: TonyRo76
Here's a clue: GRACE has absolved Christians from the obligations of the former. But moral laws? Those don't change. In fact, in the NT they are reiterated and strengthed:
OH??
Exodus 34:27-29
27. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."
28. Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant--the Ten Commandments.
29. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.
Deuteronomy 5
1. Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.
(1 thru 10 go here.......)
22. These are the commandments the LORD proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.
2 Corinthians 3:3-17
3. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4. Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.
5. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
6. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7. Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was,
8. will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
9. If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!
10. For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.
11. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
12. Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
13. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away.
14. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.
15. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
16. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Galatians 1
6. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--
7. which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
9. As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
Galatians 5:1-18
1. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2. Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
3. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
4. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
5. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
6. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?
8. That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
9. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."
10. I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.
11. Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
12. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
13. You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.
14. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
15. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
17. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
53
posted on
10/21/2003 2:03:48 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Don't believe every prophecy you hear: especially *** ones........)
To: BubbaBasher
Maybe he does indeed. As destructive is it seems, the blasphemers and apostates will be reveiled for what they are and the true believes will be left stronger.
Indeed! HE reserves SPECIAL scorn for them......................
Matthew 23:12-39
12. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
13. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
15. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
16. "Woe to you, blind guides! You say, `If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.'
17. You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?
18. You also say, `If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.'
19. You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
20. Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.
21. And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it.
22. And he who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it.
23. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
24. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
25. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
26. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.
28. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
29. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.
30. And you say, `If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'
31. So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.
32. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!
33. "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?
34. Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.
35. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
36. I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.
37. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
38. Look, your house is left to you desolate.
39. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' "
54
posted on
10/21/2003 2:10:07 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Don't believe every prophecy you hear: especially *** ones........)
To: TonyRo76
I have read the passage in Leviticus quite carefully and yes it does state that to lie with a man as with a woman is an abomination.
Several verses after that statement appears the story of how Lot's daughters got him drunk and had sex with him. So, an obvious conclusion would be that incest is OK.
The Bible was written by men. It may have been directly inspired by God, but it was written by men. And as we all know, men are a flawed creature.
To: Greenback_dollar
So, an obvious conclusion would be that incest is OK.
What!?
Read on a little farther and see where the Ammonites and Moabites came from and what GOOD they have been in the world.............
56
posted on
10/21/2003 3:05:48 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Don't believe every prophecy you hear: especially *** ones........)
Comment #57 Removed by Moderator
To: Greenback_dollar
I suppose you think the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar promotes bigamy??
To: Greenback_dollar; Politicalmom; TonyRo76
Here's a good Psalm from the NIV...
Psalms 12
1. Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.
2. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.
3. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue
4. that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips --who is our master?"
5. "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."
6. And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
7. O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.
8. The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
"Gay Pride" parades
"We're here; and we're queer!" shouts
59
posted on
10/22/2003 9:52:21 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Don't believe every prophecy you hear: especially *** ones........)
To: Politicalmom
No.. but the story of THESE...
Catherine WALKER
Sarah SCOTT
Sarah STILES
Desdemona Wadsworth FULLMER
Sarah LAWRENCE
Mary Elizabeth ROLLINS
Emma HALE
Amanda Melissa BARNES
Sylvia Porter SESSIONS
Zina Diantha HUNTINGTON
Mary HOUSTON
Nancy Mariah WINCHESTER
Helen Mar KIMBALL
Lucy WALKER
Rhoda RICHARDS
Ma Eliza Roxey SNOW
Sarah Ann WHITNEY
Martha MCBRIDE
Malissa LOTT
Fanny YOUNG
Prescendia Lathrop HUNTINGTON
Sophronia Gray FROST
Melissa SNOW
Cordelia Calista MORLEY
combined with Joseph Smith sure does!!!
60
posted on
10/22/2003 10:08:52 PM PDT
by
Elsie
(Don't believe every prophecy you hear: especially *** ones........)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson