[ken5050]

Moral relativism run amok.. I also had the same sad experience this past Sunday. Went to t he 10 am at my old parish..because it was Mother's day, and both daughters and the new grandson were coming over..we were all going out for bruch afterwards. So the homily is about some decision in the Va Supreme Court, which upheld the legality of some school in Va disallowing a Wiccan from delivering an invocation..the minister goes off of this riff..how it is so unfair..expand it to the "troubles" in ECUSA today..after all we are all the "same" and "everything" is equal, right, and equally relevant...but, and this is the important thing..this is a liberal parish, by any standards, and the service on Mother's Day is always packed.. well, we had about 40% attendance, so you get the sense that a lot of people are slowing dropping out, moving away..I think this is the real tendencey in ECUSA nowadays, a slow but steady erosion..you don't hear about this as compared to the "dramatic" stories when a whole parish breaks ties..but it's there if you just look...and then, as I'm standing in line to walk out, and shake hands with the minister, I'm thinking the thoughts than many must ask themselves every Sunday as they leave church.."What do you say to the minister when the sermon really sucks?"

But, just when I'm feeling charitable, I notice on the inside of the red doors,a huge 3'x5' poster, taped to the door..( shades of Martin Luther, anyone?) WE ARE A PROGRESSIVE CHURCH...THE CENTER FOR PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY..this is a really scary tendency....and shows you where much of ECUSA is heading today...

[Martin Tell]

So what did you say to the "minister"?

I used to just politely ignore these things, but now I think I would enjoy making a scene.

Not that I would have a chance. Unless I am absolutely sure a parish is orthodox, I never darken an ECUSA parish's doors. I don't want to be near when the fire and brimstone rains down.

[pettifogger]

Thought you'd be interested in some excerpts from the sermon delivered on 4/24 at the National Cathedral by Rev. George Rigas. I was there with a group and not really in a position to walk out, although I was tempted and am now embarassed by lack of moral courage to do so.

Full text is available at www.nationalcathedral.org

“Interpreting Christ in a Pluralistic World”
The Rev. Dr. George F. Regas
Rector Emeritus, All Saints Church, Pasadena, CA, guest preacher

In today’s Gospel, John puts words on Jesus’ lips that have led Christians through the centuries to claim an exclusive way to salvation. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” . . . The first thing I want you to explore with me is this: I simply refuse to hold the doctrine that there is no access to God except through Jesus.

I personally reject the claim that Christianity has the truth and all other religions are in error. Unfortunately, this is the position of the new Pope, Benedict XVI, who says salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ.

The Religious Right has drowned out everyone else with their absolutist claims. . . . Now faith in Jesus has come to be known as pro-rich, pro-war, and pro-American.

And yet in the name of this loving Christ, some of the most vicious acts of exclusion are perpetrated. . .

. . . [exclusivity] is the source of the most deadly conflicts over the centuries down to this present hour. . . We have mounted deadly crusades against Muslims, and Christians have killed other Christians in the brutal wars of religion—all in the name of bringing others to the correct understanding of how God is uniquely known in Jesus Christ.