Free Republic

The U.S. Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop is among hundreds of clergy members urging Congress to support gay rights, including the passage of an expanded hate crimes bill that would give gay victims of violence new federal protections. Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire and more than 300 clergy of various faiths plan to spend Tuesday on Capitol Hill lobbying lawmakers to push through a bill that broadens the definition of hate crimes to include those motivated by a person's sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. The legislation was passed by the House last week. Clergy also will...

New Clergy Group to Push Liberal Causes by Mark Tooley Posted Jan 9, 2004 Frustrated that they continue to be overshadowed by conservative religious leaders, a new association of politically liberal clergy has emerged. Mostly comprised of old National Council of Churches (NCC) types, the Clergy Leadership Network (CLN) will focus on opposing U.S. military action and fighting for a larger federal welfare state, while criticizing religious conservatives. Several of CLN's leaders were also formerly leaders in the Interfaith Alliance, another liberal religious group founded ten years ago with the nearly identical purpose of counteracting the "Religious Right." "We're reaching...

Charles Moore talks to Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, at Lambeth PalaceQ: Have you ever not believed in God? A: No. There's never been a time when I've been an unbeliever. There have been times when I have not been able to make much sense of it but I never had a period right outside the Church. Q: But the Church for you wasn't originally the Anglican Church, was it? A: No, it was the Presbytarian Church of Wales. Q: Were you conscious of a change, or was it just family circumstances? A: It was a bit more...