Thursday, November 17, 2005
Hostility v Anger -- Dialogue=Capitulation
How many times have you been in a heated debate, usually in church, when someone admonishes you to, "Calm down and dialogue." That's pretty much what the Archbishop of Canterbury said the other day.
Here's the bottom line, ad hominum is never called for. Personal vindictive is inappropriate in a church setting. But some issues are worth fighting over and some doing so vigorously. I think there is room for discussion on the role of women in the church, but not homosexuals. Avowed and practicing homosexuals are, of course, welcomed to worship and participate in church life -- but they are not welcomed into leadership. It would be no different than ordaining an unrepentant adulterer or even perhaps thief. Homosexual practice is a sin and it is inappropriate for church leadership to advocate sin.
I will respectfully listen to you attempt to convince me to the contrary, but I promise you will be unsuccessful. And I promise that should your view prevail, I will find somewhere else to worship.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned against tensions and splits in the Church over homosexuality and the ordination of women bishops.I really hate it when people say that. A good deal of the time it is just a dressed-up expression of "give in." The man is saying, in essence, "if you don't calm down, I'll have to choose sides and I'll only get to be prelate over half of you."
Dr Rowan Williams told members of the General Synod they should beware of "poisoning the wells" and ought to conduct debates without hostility.
The debate about sexuality within the Church was complicated by high levels of mutual ignorance, he said.
Here's the bottom line, ad hominum is never called for. Personal vindictive is inappropriate in a church setting. But some issues are worth fighting over and some doing so vigorously. I think there is room for discussion on the role of women in the church, but not homosexuals. Avowed and practicing homosexuals are, of course, welcomed to worship and participate in church life -- but they are not welcomed into leadership. It would be no different than ordaining an unrepentant adulterer or even perhaps thief. Homosexual practice is a sin and it is inappropriate for church leadership to advocate sin.
I will respectfully listen to you attempt to convince me to the contrary, but I promise you will be unsuccessful. And I promise that should your view prevail, I will find somewhere else to worship.
