Vote On Gay Bishop Delayed; Allegations Surface

nbc4.com, Minneapolis ^ | August 4, 2003

[Pan_Yans Wife]

The vote on confirming a gay Episcopal bishop was postponed Monday in light of allegations of pornography and inappropriate conduct, a church spokesman said.

A vote was expected Monday in Minneapolis that could make a New Hampshire clergyman, the Rev. Gene Robinson, the church's first openly gay elected bishop.

The spokesman said the postponement came after allegations emerged involving "touching" and "pornography." He declined to elaborate.

The church's House of Deputies has voted overwhelmingly to approve Robinson, who faces a final vote in the House of Bishops.

Robinson says Sunday's results make him feel "very peaceful on the inside" and "very humbled."

But the American Anglican Council, which represents conservative bishops and parishes, said it is "deeply grieved" by the results.

Robinson, a 56-year-old divorced father of two, has lived with his partner, Mark Andrew, for 13 years.

Bishops who believe gay sex is a sin say the approval of Robinson will weaken and divide the denomination and spark a bitter fight over parish property and funds.

But liberals say the threat has been exaggerated and note that many conservatives had pledged to break ties before over issues such as ordaining women but did not follow through.

[88keys]

Bishops who believe gay sex is a sin say the approval of Robinson will weaken and divide the denomination and spark a bitter fight over parish property and funds.

I could be misinformed about this (?), but my understanding is that all unmarried Episcopal/Anglican clergy are expected and "called" to remain chaste (celibate)...

Not to minimize it, but even aside from "sins" and "finances", if they cannot abide by this, then they should not be priests in their chosen Church, as they have no vocation there. It may be a "technicality", but simply stated, if you want to be an Episcopal priest, you can't have a "partner" of either sex. If you wish to marry, you may (unlike Catholic priests), but even aside from Church "law", if you wish to "marry" someone of your own sex, it's outside civil law as well...some "shepherd of the flock", IMHO!

[BushCountry]

My understanding is that the web site of the gay youth organisation that the would-be Bishop had founded had links to porno sites until all its links were hurriedly removed today. So it wasn't just that the Bishop had some porn, it's that he (or at any rate, his organization) was effectively promoting it.

This is unbelieveable if true. How could the church even allow the nomination to get this far with this hanging over their heads. Never, I repeat, never underestimate the power of human stupidity!

[ijcr]

His sexuality is not the issue, it is all about the belief of scripture in the Anglican community.

Is the Bible a living document or carved in stone? Do we have to obey its rules or can we choose which parts are relevant to to-days needs and adapt them accordingly?

There is no fear of God because as these people see him he is just a fluffy bunny of love. In addition if there are no such things as sins, just human frailties, then there cannot
be evil or satan.

This not only an Anglican issue it will effect the entire
community. I for one abhor these last minute accusations, for all we know it could come from either side.

I do know, however, I could not cross the threshold of an Anglican church ever again.

[MineralMan]

"Come Lord Jesus, quickly!"

Yeah, right. Folks have been saying that prayer now for almost 2000 years. So far, no sign of your Jesus.

How about if one of my Hindu friends starts praying,

"Come, Lord Vishnu, and destroy the evil ones."

I'll bet that would be just as effective.

[BlessedByLiberty]

Oh, I'm not saying that members of the church would agree to this, but that those denominations will next be targets of this "acceptance-tolerance" agenda. What can Je$$e Jack$on and $hapton say against it without being called hypocrites as this agenda glommed onto the civil rights movement?

Remember this "acceptance-tolerance" movement began in all aspects of the entertainment industry to make it attractive to young people. It then spread to the schools as actual parts of curriculum, infected hiring practices and now this vial crud is continuing to creep into every cultural aspect of American lives.

[dandelion]

A little information Outright from their OWN WEBSITE regarding sex with minors:

"The only adults that are allowed in the Outright space during programs are staff members, interns, and adult advisors. Sometimes other adults will come in for a night to help facilitate a special program. All adults who come to the Outright space agree to live by our ground rules, including confidentiality. All volunteers age 24 and over who work with Outright participants agree not to date, cruise, or sexualize anyone 22 or under.

All volunteers age 23 and under who provide support to Outright participants agree not to cruise, date, or sexualize anyone 15 or under."

Well now, how about that? If you are a 22 year old college student, you can hook up with a 16 year old high school student at OUTRIGHT, all in the name of tolerance!

[journey7873]

I'm sorry that you have a difficult time believing in Jesus and His 2nd coming.

[BushCountry]

I for one abhor these last minute accusations, for all we know it could come from either side.

If the gay-youth website that founded promoted porn, then these allegations are anything but last minute. That is what I find amazing, or mindboggling to say the least. It is insane that the church would push the nomination forward with this turd sitting in the middle of the floor.

[dandelion]

I saw Him the other day - it was just a visit, but I look forward to a more permanent arrangement.

[My2Cents]

I run into this on occasion. I know one person who is constantly asking, "Well was that GOD speaking there in that verse, or was it just Paul's personal opinion?" I agree, this boils down to one's view of scripture. (Wasn't there a body of august scholars who tried to determine how much of the Gospels were actually the words of Jesus, and they settled on something like 12 verses that were the words of Christ, and the rest was manufactured?) And therein is the problem. If one believes that the Bible is an interweaving of man's thoughts and God's word, when does God stop and man begin? Also, their view of scripture is biased by their view of God. If God is simply "an inner light that every human has," all of a sudden "God" speaks whenever someone has some inspiration, however goofy it may be. Ultimately, we're left to picking and choosing what we want to believe, regardless of what the Bible says, if we're to follow the liberals' perspective on these things.

[My2Cents]

My God can beat up your god.

[MineralMan]

"I'm sorry that you have a difficult time believing in Jesus and His 2nd coming.
"

Why are you sorry? It's of no importance to me, so don't sweat it.

[MineralMan]

"I saw Him the other day - it was just a visit, but I look forward to a more permanent arrangement."

That's nice.

[MineralMan]

"My God can beat up your god."

No doubt, since mine doesn't exist. It's fun to watch folks shadow box, though. You let me know when the fight starts. I wouldn't want to miss it.

[journey7873]

Oh, I just noticed your tagline. I guess you won't bother seeing Mel Gibson's "The Passion". Hopefully your heart will soften in time. Heaven and hell are very real.

[dandelion]

Thanks. Knowing Jesus is rather hard to explain; it's like being in love, and trying to tell your friends what it's like. If they've never been in love, they'll mock you. If they've been in love, they'll understand. And if they've been in love, and lost, they'll become wretchedly ill and make bitter comments.

Yup, it's hard to explain, but I'll keep trying. I know what agnostics and atheists feel, for I used to be one... no one but God could have changed my mind, and yet He did.

Just a hunch, but you might see Him sometime soon as well. I have a feeling you've got a history you aren't sharing, something that hurts like hell and isn't easy to explain, either...

[Evil Inc]

Youd think the separation of church and state, the holy law per libs, would prevent the govt meddling. I believe it is headed that way though, through coercion like used on the Boy Scouts.

[Sweet Hour of Prayer]

I doubt that the So. Baptists will be next, in that they withstood the media fury over not ordaining women as pastors. Additionally, So. Baptist church's select their own clergy (each church congregation elects a counsel to review preacher applicants and the preacher is called based on approval from the congregation.) The national headquarters does not direct preacher appointments... so, who would they sue?

[Sandylapper]

Thanks, tinamina, I stand corrected. Maybe I misread 2,200,000. LOL.

[johnb838]

there is of course a distinction between committing a sin and regularly and openly committing the same sin

Committing buggery regularly is a sin. If you're truly sorry every time and too weak to stop, there is a strong case that can be made that you are forgiven. Committing buggery and refusing to admit that it's a sin, is Heresy. You can still burn for that. Also for leading others to sin.