World ecumenical group elects Kirkpatrick, condemns capitalism

Layman Online ^ | 8/13/04 | John H. Adams

[PAR35]

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches has condemned capitalism and elected Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), as its new president.

Meeting in Accra, Ghana, the alliance's General Council elected Kirkpatrick to a seven-year term.

Ten U.S. denominations are members of the council, and most are generally regarded as conservative or moderate, with the PCUSA being the most liberal of the 10. But the majority of the delegates worldwide have reflected a liberal and anti-American bias.

***

With Kirkpatrick's leverage, the PCUSA gives millions of dollars a year to the WCC, the NCC and the alliance – proportionately higher than any other U.S. denomination. All three groups have had sharp declines in revenue because of their constituents' waning confidence in their direction.

***

Besides the Presbyterian Church (USA), the U.S. denominations that affiliate with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches are:

Christian Reformed Church in North America; Cumberland Presbyterian Church; Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America; Evangelical Presbyterian Church; Hungarian Reformed Church in America; Lithuanian Evangelical Reformed Church; Reformed Church in America; The Korean Presbyterian Church in America; and the United Church of Christ.

[PAR35]

Most of the participants are from the known liberal denominations, but until now I had considered the Evangelical Presbyterians a moderate body.

[JimSEA]

members must be made to understand that their "salvation is at stake" if they refuse to reject unjust economic structures

I gather that this means I am going to hell. Need I ask about their theology on abortion, gay rights, sensitive wars, . . . . On second thought, never mind.

[headsonpikes]

Organized religion - who needs it?

Oh yeah, there is the money to collect...

[dangus]

>>Ten U.S. denominations are members of the council, and most are generally regarded as conservative or moderate<<

BWAH-HA-HA-HA!

The United Church of Christ is best known as the most liberal church there is. They've been blessing homosexuality for decades, are staunchly pro-abortion, and long ago decided sex and marriage had nothing to do with each other.

The PCUSA is probably the second or third most liberal church in America.

These two churches have long been by far the largest of the churches listed, although their numbers are in such free-fall that it's possible that some of the ethnic churches have started to move up.

[dangus]

>>until now I had considered the Evangelical Presbyterians a moderate body.<<

Umm, this is certainly distressing news, but perhaps take it with a grain of salt. The actual wording yjay became referred to as capitalism is this: "in the face of the current system of neoliberal economic globalization."

What's the current sustem of economic globalization? GATT, multinationalist super-conglomerations, and the destruction of all national boundaries. And what does "neo-liberalism" mean? Classical liberalism means economic liberty, and is what is embraced by the Reagenite Right. "Modern liberalism" is the opposite: oppressive government regulation giving competitive advantages to megacorporations, which is embraced by the Clintonite Left. To which does the article refer?

Capitalism requires a closed system and economic liberty. It sounds like what is being condemned is plutocracy, which is practiced in China, Japan, Korea, and increasingly, the United States. Capitalism and plutocracy are very different things, and the author of the article may not recognize this.

[dangus]

yjay, incredibly, is typinginthedarkese for "that".

[PAR35]

I didn't see any on the list I would call conservative. As I said in the first post, I would have considered the EPC moderate until I read this story.

[xJones]

We believe that the integrity of the Gospel is at stake in the face of the current system of neoliberal economic globalization."

The man has a way with gibberish.

[xJones]

He looks like a dressed raw oyster with little tentacles. The Ghanans must have loved him.

[IrishCatholic]

Proof here that Darwin's survival of the fittest is no longer applicable.

...calling capitalism an "immoral system defended by empire..." Well, heck. Where does all that money come from to fund your churches you two knuckle deep nose pickers? Who supports the third world? Not themselves. Those greedy capitalists. Who invents the medicines to heal the sick? The new technology to grow the food, feed the needy, cloth the poor, house the masses? Well gee don't you look stupid.

"...Also representing the Presbyterian Church(USA) was Anna Case-Winters...she and another theologian declared that the atoning death of Christ was an outdated doctrine."

Oh, heck. Why even call it a church anymore. Call it a coven and be done with it. So, maybe the Catholics had it right with that whole inquisition thing after all, hum? You knew you were screwed at the hyphenated last name.

[Unam Sanctam]

Capitalism has only brought humanity untold heights in per capita income in the past 200 years -- gee, it must be evil!