Posted on 08/06/2003 3:10:28 AM PDT by tdadams
We had hoped to comment this morning on the meaning of the Episcopal debate over the nomination of the Rev. Gene Robinson to be bishop of the New Hampshire diocese. Why is it happening now? What does it portend? Is the Episcopal Church, as it often has before, signaling a significant change in the social fabric of American life?
That was before Robinson was ambushed, hours before the House of Bishops was to take the final vote on his nomination, by the most scurrilous smear: He was accused of linkage to a porn Web site and of inappropriately touching another man. The church investigated both charges and cleared Robinson. The House of Bishops then voted to accept his elevation to Bishop of New Hampshire. End of story? Not quite.
The Every Voice Network Web site, a liberal Anglican site, reported Tuesday that the alleged inappropriate behavior "occurred when Robinson touched a married man in his 40s on his bicep, shoulder and upper back in the process of a public conversation at a province meeting around two years ago." Oh, please.
The phony accusation that Robinson was linked somehow to porn on the Web was easy to track down. It was a deliberate, calculated lie, apparently held in reserve until the last minute in case the first vote, in the House of Deputies, went against those opposed to Robinson's elevation to bishop -- which it did on Sunday.
The question of whether Robinson should be a bishop is -- and probably will remain for some time -- an issue for the Episcopal Church. But the smear is an issue for the larger community as well, for it demonstrates just how low some people will stoop when honest, reasonable debate is going against them. In fact, it links to the same sort of behavior in the American body politic.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
That is so true, now just wait till teens come home from retreat or tots from Sunday School with questions for mom and dad that mom and dad are not reay to answer.
Thank you for posting the articles. Have you seen this website www.outright.org of which Robinson was the co-founder?
It's charter says:
There is a reason why homosexual predators target the young: their naivete is more easily exploited while at the same time their youthfulness enhances the predators lust. It is tragic that these people are devouring the helpless and the innocent under the guise of an "affirming environment." That the board chose to ignore this is a pox on their souls.
All you say? Well that is a nice back handed slap. I've seen all your pastings on this thread and you have done good work. You get a Gold Star. However I was referencing this Editorial which wasn't as diligent as you. Your ad hominem pastings from other source George are great, but stick with a href="...?
Now the problem is that even with your best Mainstream Media sourcing, its still doesn't answer my challenge, that given the seriousness of the matters, we must investigate. After all that was the litmus set forth on Clarence Thomas, the sexual harrassment charges were less concrete from Anita Hill than this Lewis-and we had Congressional Hearings! This disappeared in less than a day, with everyone involved gleefully dismissing it as a misunderstanding about "touching."
At the very least the Episcopal Church should have taken the moral high ground and made him get counciling to know that gays in their church should not be holding arms of men unasked for.
But if an objective observer was looking for "moral high ground" the Episcopal church is the last place they would look to.
An eleventh-hour accusation not supported by any solid facts is not the proper way to deal with this issue.
Galatians 6:7 "A man reaps what he sows."
Next time a conservative bishop is up for election, a liberal activist will claim that the bishop touched him on his arm and call that "sexual harassment."
Or another liberal activist will reveal that the bishop belongs to conservative group that in its web site has a link to an exterior link to another exterior link to a racist website.
How many degrees of separation?
Show me where I said otherwise, hothead.
This is not an independent "investigation", this is what is known as a "cover up."
How can there be a cover up when there's nothing to cover up? Unless you think a pastor touching you on the arm (in a public setting where that kind of touch would in no way be considered inappropriate) is sexual harassment, this is obviously overblown and baseless. How much time would you spend investigating such nonsense?
Yes dear, all major news outlets: the 3 broadcast news networks, the 3 major cable news channels, plus all the major newspapers in this country, from the Washington Post to the NY Times.
I did not intend to offend your weak sensibilities by alerting you to the news articles; I thought you were interested in the details.
I understand that the Mainstream Media is all over this, you get another cookie. I said "All you say?" since it did not show up in the Editorial we are posting on. Pay attention.
The "dear" part could be far more offensive (and revolting) given the subject matter. Its certainly close to an inappropriate comment George. Luckily I'm not as offendable as you said, I find your histrionics kinda funny.
Thank you. I had a smile in my face when I posted that comment to you; I'm glad you found it funny.
I admire a well reasoned argument, but have little patience for irrational emotionalism, unsubstantiated allegations, ad hominems, hyperbole, hysteria, or obfuscation.
Now go back and re-read what you have typed today. That is your assignment.
LOL! Well he said that because he is admiring those, not that he is capable!
"it also depends on what you definition of is is."
Absolutely.
Next time a conservative bishop is up for election, a liberal activist will claim that the bishop touched him on his arm and call that "sexual harassment."
They very well may do so. It is par for the course. I am not convinced that Robinson's hands are clean on this as has been reported. I agree with you that 11th hour accusations being launched appears quite unseemly. It all is so "Anita-Hill-ish." What bothers me more is his dumping his wife for a homosexual lover, his rejection of scripture, his co-founding a website that targets impressionable youth, and his advocacy of "reason" over the word of the Lord.
/sarcasm.
I found this charge particularly hilarious considering the purpose of Robinson's organization - recruiting Episcopalians under 22 into the homosexual lifestyle.
Also hilarious was the whole "inappropriate touching" charge when the Bible states clearly that what he and his partner do is about the ultimate in inappropriate touching.
It reminded me of the scene in Ghostbusters where the three guys have totally trashed the room and Venkman jerks a tablecloth and says "And the flowers are still standing !", apparently not noticing that everything else was smashed.
For the bishops to hold up Robinsons vote over such trivia was truly "swallowing camels while straining at gnats".
Denominationalism is wrong. Apostle Paul denounced it, but people relish in this pretend Christianity.
And no, being a Christian isn't a solo thing. But then, most people who think they are Christians have never really heard the gospel, just bits and pieces here and there. They know some facts about Christianity, but they really don't know the relevant particulars. That is why they think they can be a solo Christian. They know something is wrong with organized religion, but they don't have enough knowledge to understand it.
Better yet, instead of baselessly alleging that I've done any of those things, why don't you bother to show me an example.
That's very troublesome for me also.
A bishop must be a Christian of impeccable qualifications, as clearly stated in the Scriptures.
There is no right to be a leader in Christ's church, even if He forgives all our sins. Only exceptional men with very orthodox lifestyles should come near being a bishop.
Even if this bishop had married a second wife (woman), he should not be a leader in the church, since he was not faithful to his original vows.
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