Journo Ina Hughs offers an interesting take on the Episcopal Church's vote to restrain itself on gay ordinations and same-sex blessings:
When Episcopalian leadership voted last week to reaffirm a ban on official prayers over same-sex unions, I had to wonder: Who are they – or anybody else – to censor prayers of any kind? What is an official prayer, anyway?Does God need an earthly prayer editor? Does He need Anglican, Presbyterian or Baptist or any other denomination's approval before He takes seriously a certain kind of prayer?
If a minister wants to pray over two people wanting to go through life together, to be one another's family, to make a home for each other, to be faithful and kind, to love, honor and cherish each other in sickness and in health – who on earth has the power, the nerve or the audacity to say God would turn a deaf ear? I don't think God is that mean-spirited or that close-minded.
And, frankly, doesn't this God character (pictured?) have bigger, most celestial things to tend to?
Virginia + Maryland’s Governors Are Catholic. And They’re Furious With the Church’s Threats (30)
· mark says: Quote from the Marriage Ruling – remedy section – paragraph 149 At the heart... »
Atlanta Police Sued For Making Homosexuals Place Moisturized Faces on Dirty Bar Floor (10)
· Oh Wow says: When did Christian fag bashers take over the management of this website? »
· schlukitz says: I’m looking for NYC in the headline as well. The only mistake that I see, is... »
Why New Jersey Should Give Up on Marriage: Everyone Else Has Already Lost! (8)
· mark says: The exclusion of same-sex couples from the benefits and responsibilities of marriage …... »
Why Do Gay Guys Who Hate Homos Hit Up the G Bars? (58)
· Jonathan says: I do not hate gay guys but I do not like what the gay scene does to people. Some... »
Has XTube.com Been Hijacked? (20)
· schlukitz says: Yep yep. I spent a good portion of the evening surfing xtube.com for hot gay action.... »
If You’re Born Gay, How Can A Homo Have a Straight Identical Twin? (38)
· schlukitz says: I am what I am…and that requires no explanation. If I must explain to those... »
Rich Gays Pay $3.3M More in ‘Death Taxes’ … Worst Lady Gaga Rumor Not About Penis (15)
· schlukitz says: @ No. 11 – JonJon: My partner and I can personally relate to your post. You... »
· schlukitz says: Isn’t it incredible how we live in a land where a poor man (or a black man) is... »
The Most Touching Video About Marriage Equality Love We’ve Seen (21)
· schlukitz says: A touching video indeed! Signed Misty in Manhattan. »
We remember the Metropolitan Community Church in LA where ladies would pray for sausage!
The rank and file Episcopalians, clergy and laity, would agree with Hughs. Same-sex blessings are a reality, which is why the conservatives are unhappy with the statement with no teeth that came out of the recent House of Bishops' meeting.
But regardless, unlike many other parts of the Anglican Communion, TEC has a bicameral form of government, and these matters can only be decided at a General Convention which includes the House of Deputies consisting of elected laity and clergy.
But of course, this is the stuff of church nonsense, and most TEC parishes are too busy doing things that need to be done, like sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, and providing a faith home for GLBT, to be bothered with statements that would keep them from doing what needs to be done.