[justanotherfreeper]

EdReform, great links, thank you! And I started Miss Marple's thread, it makes a lot of sense. I hadn't really thought about how much money a mainline denomination would have access to.

BlackElk, the whole push in the UN and EU to pass and/or strengthen "hate speech" laws terrifies me. I truly believe it's a legal rationale to start being able to persecute and jail those who remain faithful to Jesus' teaching. How horrifying for faithful Episcopals to watch Robinson -- after ripping their denomination apart and breaking their hearts -- brag to the UN (of all groups) about how enlightened their church is for facilitating his abominable sin!

[concerned about politics]

brag to the UN (of all groups) about how enlightened their church is for facilitating his abominable sin!

"I will magnify myself above every other God, and I will sit upon the throne of the congragation....."
--Satan.

[concerned about politics]

Humans have forgotten about an entity named Satan.

Liberal (Satanic)Churches don't speak his name anymore. People are led to believe he doesn't exist. It's gives him free reign to do as he wills, because of their ignorance of him.

[Grampa Dave]

Besides the properties, many churches have foundations and various funds donated by members or left by wills.

I don't know about every Diocese, but the N. California one really owns everything if it comes down to push or shove.

The church in Redding had a falling out a few years ago with the bishop. They found out that the property, buildings and other assets paid for by the church members belonged to the Diocese not them.

Also, most of the Bishops can tell their churches what their Diocesian assessment is re contributions. We send to the Diocese over 34% of what we bring in each month after factoring out the priests salaries and benefits and any major maintenance repair.

As conservative members stop tithing or cut their donations in protest of this outrage, those assessment rates will go up.

So money is part of the Gay quest. Also, they want the power, the prestige, the bully pulpit to say that their lifestyle is normal and wonderful. Last, but not least the pay is great for a few hours a week.