The testimony I offer is my own, and while I believe it represent the sentiments of the vast majority of Episcopalians in Vermont, I know full well that it does not represent the view of all Episcopalians in Vermont. I want to acknowledge at the outset that our diocese, like most religious denominations, is not of one mind on the various issues concerning human sexuality that are currently part of our civil and religious discourse. I respect those differences and remain committed to conversation with those who disagree with my thinking. At the same time, I do hold strong convictions that are well known among the members of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, and my testimony today is consistent with those beliefs.
As a person of faith, my religious beliefs, grounded in the Bible and the Baptismal Covenant, have led me to speak out for human and civil rights in a broad range of areas over the years. The Episcopal Church’s General Convention in resolution after resolution has, since 1976, consistently expressed its conviction that homosexual persons are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens, and it has called upon our society to see that such protection is provided in actuality. The intent of the legislation before you is consistent with that voice from our denomination’s highest form of governance.
Vermont has lived with a certain measure of equality for gay and lesbian couples since the enactment of our current Civil Union legislation. This legislation seeks to provide an even greater measure of equality and dignity. As you well know, because of federal statues this law cannot provide a full measure of equality, but it is a step in the right direction and sends an important message to our elected leaders in Washington. I applaud those who have introduced this legislation and encourage all legislators and our governor to support it.
Apparently in the Episcopal Corporation there is now just a two-legged stool: the Bible (a very short stub) and the Baptismal Covenant (a long center post).
I wish I hadn’t just eaten dinner. Reading this makes me feel sick to my stomach.
Grounded in what bible and what baptismal covenant.. ? Because it’s certainly not one I’m familiar with.
Ya know, TEC’s “inclusion”, which really means LGBT ordination and same-sex blessings, reminds me of a candid comment George McGovern offered after his failed Presidential run. He said that his campaign had opened the doors of the Democratic Party, “and twenty million people walked out.”
Goodnight, HOB club. Goodnight, GenCon activist jamboree. Goodnight, Seminaries that don’t teach a coherent Christian theology. Thanks for your brilliant effort to open the doors without bothering to ask your fellow residents if it mattered to them.
One thing struck me, and that was his phrase “as a person of faith.” I hear this phrase a lot from liberal Episcopalians. KJS uses it a lot for example. They seem to feel distinctly uncomfortable saying “As a Christian”. So they use a kind of vague Unitarian like mantra that won’t tie them down to any embarrassing allegiance to Christ or his Cross.
OK, cross Vermont off the list of places to which I want to be sending applications. 🙁