Replies

Do what exactly? If I leave my church, which is not heretical, merely to make a statement, I will have one hell of a time finding an acceptable alternative in New York City. Just about every church I pass by has the words "diverse, caring, and inclusive" displayed right out front, and you know what that means.

If our rector leaves the church, which is also a possibility, then the work and care of generations will almost certainly end up in the hands of people who will use it all to advance leftist politics, and will probably turn the choir school into a homeless shelter.

The only options for action are to stay or leave, and that's not a decision I'm going to make lightly. Or today.

I totally agree with your last post.

One wonders about these people who blithely suggest that we leave our churches out of protest.

How many churches have they left in a snit? There is no perfect church and there is no use spending one's life searching for one.

And what about a commitment to the church? I don't take that lightly. How many committees have we worked on, altar guild duties have we done (how much what I call "ironing for God?") the youth programs, the Sunday School teaching. We have an investment in our individual churches that is not just financial.

I say we stay and fight (if our diocese stays in). Things change; pendulums swing back, but if all the conservatives leave, there will be no one to swing them back. Already, polls show a shift in tolerance levels for homosexual pushiness.

I hope enough diocese decide to pull out and make their intentions firm and unmistakeable that the National Church, faced with a loss of about one-third of membership and revenue, might re-think their callous dismissal of the conservative wing.

"The only options for action are to stay or leave, and that's not a decision I'm going to make lightly. Or today."

I commend your seriousness, which I never questioned. I apologize if it sounded that way.

As for your options, here is where I disagree again; there are many options! For instance, you can stay and hide like you parish has been doing, or you can stand and fight.

"If our rector leaves the church...then the work and care of generations will...end up in the hands of people who will use it all to advance leftist politics, and...turn the choir school into a homeless shelter"
Yes, but this is EXACTLY what has been happening to your denomination, while good people like your Aunt & Uncle thought 'Well, it doesn't effect us here.'

Stay and fight for what you know is right since you care about your denomination. But you better hurry before your hierarchy completes the transformation from Religion to Club for social activists.

I am sorry if that sounds angry or hurtful, but your church was one that I had a great deal of respect for, and it sickens me to see this happen. Good Luck, whatever you choose.