Sunday, August 31, 2003
Well. It's been awhile since I've really felt moved to walk out of a place of worship while the worshippers were still, well, worshipping, but today was the day. This morning, I heard the priest's sermon, took communion, and kept on walking right out the back door. I don't know when I'll go back; the goings-on this morning really got to me.
The topic of choice was -- what else? -- the election of the Rev. Gene Robinson to become the bishop of New Hampshire. Now, for those of you who don't know, Bishop-elect Robinson is gay. And for those of you who know me, I'm sure you know where I stand on this issue. Mind you, I don't mind one bit if anyone disagrees with me. After all, there are many parts of Scripture that lambast homosexuality as a sin. And there are many places that do not. (In fact, Christ doesn't even mention homosexuality in all four of the Gospels, but he DOES teach love and tolerance and unity and understanding and forgiveness.) So when I write this, please understand that I'm not trying to alienate anyone. I KNOW I don't have all the answers. I'm just trying to muddle through like everyone else.
But I do NOT appreciate the self-righteous behavior of those who think they DO have all the answers. The congregants who insist on tittering and chuckling every time the priest -- who has taken more and more of a bully-pulpit stance with regard to this issue in recent weeks -- makes fun of those of us who disagree with the conservative stance of the Diocese of Florida. I don't appreciate the teaching of love alongside the teaching of discrimination, of bigotry, that is being espoused within the confines of my house of worship.
So I left. Maybe not for good, but for now. For a while.
I'm kind of nervous about posting this on my blog. I'm a little steamed today and don't want my words to come out wrong. So let me reiterate:
1) Anyone who knows me probably already knew where I stood on this.
2) I hope you, dear reader, know that even if we disagree, I don't want to ever slam my beliefs down anyone's throat. And I completely respect differing opinions. That's what makes this country great. We can disagree and no one gets hurt. :) And we can still get along and like each other. :)
3) I don't care for blatant, unfounded bigotry and suffocating self-righteousness. And THAT'S what made me so mad this morning. Whether you agree with the General Convention's vote or not, there's no more room in this world for meanness. We've got enough of that already. And there's no need for making fun of others' beliefs. If we're Christians, we follow Christ -- and that behavior is not what Christ taught.
ANYWAY. Off the soapbox for a moment. :) Whew.
The rest of the weekend was just fine. FSU beat UNC last night, which was a nice change. :) We ate tons of food and had an overall nice time. Mike and I are planning a nice-sized Labor Day feast for tomorrow before I head off to labor in the newsroom. And Lucky is sitting on her pedestal next to me right now, curled up in a C shape, napping (as usual). :)
And I think that's about it. I head off to work in about an hour, so I guess I'd better get a little bit of housework done before I leave.
Have a great week and a happy Labor Day! Don't work too hard!
:)
The topic of choice was -- what else? -- the election of the Rev. Gene Robinson to become the bishop of New Hampshire. Now, for those of you who don't know, Bishop-elect Robinson is gay. And for those of you who know me, I'm sure you know where I stand on this issue. Mind you, I don't mind one bit if anyone disagrees with me. After all, there are many parts of Scripture that lambast homosexuality as a sin. And there are many places that do not. (In fact, Christ doesn't even mention homosexuality in all four of the Gospels, but he DOES teach love and tolerance and unity and understanding and forgiveness.) So when I write this, please understand that I'm not trying to alienate anyone. I KNOW I don't have all the answers. I'm just trying to muddle through like everyone else.
But I do NOT appreciate the self-righteous behavior of those who think they DO have all the answers. The congregants who insist on tittering and chuckling every time the priest -- who has taken more and more of a bully-pulpit stance with regard to this issue in recent weeks -- makes fun of those of us who disagree with the conservative stance of the Diocese of Florida. I don't appreciate the teaching of love alongside the teaching of discrimination, of bigotry, that is being espoused within the confines of my house of worship.
So I left. Maybe not for good, but for now. For a while.
I'm kind of nervous about posting this on my blog. I'm a little steamed today and don't want my words to come out wrong. So let me reiterate:
1) Anyone who knows me probably already knew where I stood on this.
2) I hope you, dear reader, know that even if we disagree, I don't want to ever slam my beliefs down anyone's throat. And I completely respect differing opinions. That's what makes this country great. We can disagree and no one gets hurt. :) And we can still get along and like each other. :)
3) I don't care for blatant, unfounded bigotry and suffocating self-righteousness. And THAT'S what made me so mad this morning. Whether you agree with the General Convention's vote or not, there's no more room in this world for meanness. We've got enough of that already. And there's no need for making fun of others' beliefs. If we're Christians, we follow Christ -- and that behavior is not what Christ taught.
ANYWAY. Off the soapbox for a moment. :) Whew.
The rest of the weekend was just fine. FSU beat UNC last night, which was a nice change. :) We ate tons of food and had an overall nice time. Mike and I are planning a nice-sized Labor Day feast for tomorrow before I head off to labor in the newsroom. And Lucky is sitting on her pedestal next to me right now, curled up in a C shape, napping (as usual). :)
And I think that's about it. I head off to work in about an hour, so I guess I'd better get a little bit of housework done before I leave.
Have a great week and a happy Labor Day! Don't work too hard!
:)
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