Posted on 04/19/2006 7:44:13 PM PDT by sionnsar
My response to the Platform of the Consultation on the HOBD listserv:
Someone wrote me offlist unhappy that we had become distracted by the pension fund issues and wanted someone to address the platform of the so-called Consultation. This person wanted the platform addressed as a whole. Other than the pension fund issue, most of these issues have been debated to death on this listserv. But, one thing has stuck in my craw that has made me want to dismiss the entire platform as utter nonsense. Sort of like George Carlins comedic routine when someone sounds reasonable and then all of a sudden is well, not. I will not repeat what Carlin said here. Here is what part of this platform says:
5. End the culture of violence
***
confess the violence inherent in using language for worship that is not inclusive, expansive, and hospitable.
Is the language for our worship, as contained in the Book of Common Prayer, 1979, inherently violent? That is quite an indictment, as that is the language we are all (supposedly?) using for our worship. Fine, I could live with our prayer book is not inclusive enough, Ive heard that before. I could live with statements that the prayer book doesnt meet the modern mores of our time. When I say I could live with, it means I could disagree with it, but respect it. But to call our prayer book violent. Im not sure we are reading the same book. Interestingly, the so called Platform promotes the Baptismal Covenant which is contained in, where? Oh, that inherently violent Book of Common Prayer.
The Book of Common Prayer is inherently violent. Not violent in parts, but inherently violent - the book, taken as a whole, is violent. Violent?!??!?!
So, let me get this straight. We cant be called to confess for our actions at GC2003 which violated scripture as it has been understood for 2000 years and alienated the Anglican Communion, but we are supposed to confess the inherent violence of the prayer book, which is our agreed upon language for worship and the one thing that binds us together as Episcopalians and Anglicans?
Frankly, I wish the paper on which the Consultations platform had been printed had been used for further printing of the Book of Common Prayer.
I, for one, will not be confessing the violence inherent in the Book of Common Prayer this General Convention. If the Book of Common Prayer is not inherently violent, then what is the purpose of this plank in this platform built on spiritual sand? Are people using something else that is inherently violent? If they are, well, they need to go back to the BCP, and Im sure we can arrange for that to happen.
Dont bother punching holes in this document for your binder for GC2006. File 13 the thing. I just did.
Brad Drell
Lay 1, Western Louisiana
http://descant.classicalanglican.net
Owner of numerous copies and constant user of that inherently violent book, the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church, 1979
"Talking to people in the liberal camp has been like shouting into a hurricane. "
- T More, a commenter at Titusonenine.
"Talking to people in the liberal camp has been like shouting into a hurricane. "
- T More, a commenter at Titusonenine.
For those folk, ANY mention of the blood of Christ, or humble repentence of sin, or being unfit to gather the crumbs under His table is "violent."
While of course abortion, or sodomite behavior is "blessed."
They aren't Christians. What do expect?
So, let's return to the 1928 version...
Most churches I have gone to lately don't even ask the congregation to open the book of common prayer anymore. They print the service in the leaflet, and often modify the language to be more "inclusive."
Did that 23 years ago... and have never been sorry.
Ugh. We use the 1928 --we have a program underway to replace our decades-old worn prayer books from all around the country with brand new ones-- but most of us have at least The Order for Holy Communion committed to memory so the books aren't often opened.
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