Same Sex Marriage and plenty of Jerks to be found

Most of them a combination of the knee and/or mindset variety!

Yes I know what those two überpointyhats, Justin and John, said at synod and I know that the house of purple have agreed that this is to be their view and so I have a few suggestions:

1. Would those who are screaming that this is all thrown in the bin and the bishops are opposed by all means necessary (especially with the threat of law*) to make the church conform to the wishes of 'everyone'* please pack it in now.

2. Would those who are celebrating 'a great victory' please remember that behind the words and actions are people who feel that their church might just be making decisions that act against that which they feel is right.

3. Would those who claim they are behaving in an acceptable manner because that's what 'they' would have done if it had gone 'their way'*** seek only to display the paucity of their own Christian understanding - for 'get them before they get you' or 'treat them the way they'd have treated you' are both unacceptable approaches.

4. Let's see how ubi caritas can be more than a catchy song tile and get down to embracing those with whom we might differ (and no Colin, I don't think there's a danger some of them will like it!).

I am frustrated that this is all (apparently) about rights and the call to responsibilities (personal and corporate), submission and living out the teaching of the Church as living examples are all passing some by. We behave more and more like some secular (un)Friendly Society than a bunch of people who are called to unity, love and witness. Where's the prayer? The Compassion? The act of being a paraclete?

So in a nutshell:

STOP IT!

And pray for this man

* Think I've found something in the Bible about taking people to law - says: 'don't'

** Here 'everyone' is taken as meaning 'me and those who think like me'

***This isn't about having gone one way or the other as I understand it, merely the most unusual step of unequivocal 

CofE, Boko Haram and priorities

Some of the most interesting engagements that came out of the CofE's response to same-sex marriage (ssm) included such glorious comments as: "Why doesn't it (the CofE) get its priorities right and get concerned with Boko Haram?" Another person asked, "Why does the church have to have any view as everyone was saying that no one would be forced to conduct such a service in church?" A TV broadcast showed a couple of blokes, one of whom saying that he'd like a marriage because this is what the society he grew up in did and this prompted some interesting comments (and some explicit language) surrounding the fact that when he grew up the world treated this whole issue very differently (thank goodness we've changed a bit since then).

It seems to me that those I know of in West Africa have their struggles with members of other faiths because those faiths see the ssm and the whole Western sexuality issues (in terms of Church) as being something that add an apostate dimension to the word 'Christian'. Add to this the Islam vs the West attitudes and the caveat that the Church might use for their being a faith body and it is easy to see how church and politics coalesce and they become (in the eyes of some) a legitimate target. The fundamentalist Muslim takes as his (or her) support for action against the Christians the teachings of the prophet and look to Surah 7:81 for support in acting against an apostate religious body with regard to homosexuality. It looks at the money-grabbing and corrupt within the Church (5:105) and the lax teachings on fidelity within marriage (17:32) and so many other aspects (you cannot blame the situation on just one aspect but all conspire to make an apostate whole) of error and weakness and derive from it what is, in their eyes and teaching, a legitimate target.

For the Church to be seen making a stand against those issues which make the Church appear 'in touch' with society and out of touch with Biblical entreaties and commands is to weaken the stand against the Church (a bit, but don't hold your breath, not much) and to stand for the orthodoxy that weakens and opens us to attack from others. So perhaps the statement yesterday is actually something that does look at the Boko Haram situation. But of course it won't be popular with others ;-) (but those I converse with in West Africa tell me it is a welcome statement for them)

Regarding the second point about 'being forced'. I think it is obvious that whilst this is the line to be taken now it wouldn't be long before someone takes this (in their eyes) infringement against their human rights off somewhere and the situation is changed by a bunch of 'nutters in wigs' (the view of one of those living outside our walls regarding the court of human rights). If the line is drawn and the position is clearly stated then at least you know where the CofE stands. And as one person put it this morning, <1>"Some of us are in favour of same same-sex marriage!"

Yes this is true, but not all and this is the reality that needs to be lived with. Well this and the reality that I know more than a few with whom I am friends and yet whom I know would cease fellowship (publicly with the body - I'm sure we'd continue as friends) should the CofE ever support ssm.

The final point (and I did see the broadcast late last night) is that indeed the older generation grew up with marriage as the norm and you know what, it still is! In fact the man and woman I married on Saturday were exactly as the couples were when the homosexual chap in the news item was thinking of marriage in the dim and distant past - one man, one woman. What the chap spoke so wistfully of was a new construction and different beast and yet so many seem to forget this.

I'm grappling with the report and find, like the Curate's egg, not all of it is bad (or good perhaps?) but I can understand the intent. I just need to resolve the theology (and this looks as busy as, if not busier than, last month.

Still, isn't it great when the Church makes the headlines? The number of people who want to engage with us is absolutely fantastic and the opportunity for dialogue is priceless.

Pax

ps. Sorry about the length and structure - literally a seven minute splurge whilst having a cuppa before rushing out again. Hope it makes some sense.

CofE and marriage - loadsa responses

Some of those with whom I am in relationship have brought their own inimitable style to the CofE's report. I was rather taken with one person's view as outlined in a radio interview when they pointed out that, "Marriage is not a consumer item. . . . it is the recognition of something physical, moral, mental and spiritual." I wondered if I had heard it wrong as there appeared to be some form of substance and a lack of the usual 'via media, let's agree to differ' fudge.

Visiting my Facebook page I found one of my friends describe the report thus:

"News Today: Widespread Shock as Church of England publicly upholds Scripture & Tradition and is seen to Stand For Something. In other news: Bears' toilet found in wooded area; Pope seen attending Mass."

Another wrote:

"Not sure how I feel about wearing the collar today..."

Whist another wrote:

"If the Church of England continues to shoot itself in the foot, it's only a matter of time before it won't have a leg to stand on"

I have to admit that I too think that the government's consultation on the issue was indeed extremely shallow. Could it be that the decision had been taken and all that remained was to 'listen' before they acted (something often found in both politics and Church issues).

I also have to be honest and say that I too thought that any right to 'opt out' of doing such a service in a church setting would soon be challenged and would probably fall when it got to the Court of Human Rights because after all - everything is our right these days, even if it (morally, legally or Biblically) isn't!

I need to read the report (I have downloaded it - get yours here) before I get into making my own assessments. And for those who want to merely engage in kneejerk responses because of their own position - well you'd do that anyway so no problem (or sadly change) there I guess.

But regardless of your position, it appears that the Church has drawn a line and made 'No' mean 'No' and this for me is a positive element to the day (especially when one realises just how many of our regular armed forces personnel will be finding they have been made redundant today - not a lot to cheer about!).

Please pray for the church, the Church and our serving Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen today.

Pax