THE first synod of the Anglican Diocese of Nike was concluded in Enugu yesterday with a strong condemnation of what it called the debasement of moral values exemplified in same sex marriage and homosexuality.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the synod, the church described same sex marriage as “devilish and a deviation from the Holy Scriptures” which it said is the anchor of the Anglican faith. It called on the Christian faithful to shun such practice in view of the punishments awaiting the perpetrators.
The synod also observed with satisfaction what it described as the stable leadership that had been entrenched at various levels of governance in the country, calling for prayers and support of the masses to enable the leaders succeed in their efforts to move the nation to enviable heights.
You really can’t make this stuff up!
BTW, is gay marriage a problem in Nigeria
Waiting to see what the Diocese of Reebok and the Diocese of Adidas has to say before committing;)
No doubt you, Brian from T19, and Rev. Susan Russell, if she cares to comment on this article will bristle at the reference to “devilish activity”. May I remind you gently:
1 Timothy 4:1
[ Instructions to Timothy ] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Having said that, I by no means quote the passage to “demonize” any GLBTs. None of such are our actual enemies, nor are any other human beings, for:
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The article states:
[blockquote]It called on the Christian faithful to shun such practice in view of the punishments awaiting the perpetrators.[/blockquote]
They may have meant criminal penalties, but we in the church should be more concerned about, and the writer may have meant, this:
Luke 12:4-6 (New International Version)
4″I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies[a]? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Milton, why do you bring Susan Russell into this conversation? She has not commented.
It is so easy to find Bible verses to justify one’s attitude. We all do it. I see no connection with the issue of same-sex affections and relationships in these verses you quote. What they do tell me is that you agree with the Nigerians that these things are “devilish.” If you can find a verse in the Bible that says that same-sex activity is devilish and that GLBT are “unfit to live,” I’ll sit up and take notice. You won’t.
Demonizing those one dislikes is sadly a long practiced activity among Christians. Luther use to charge that his opponents were led by Satan. Ah, well.
Why BfB, I’m so surprised!
Surely they are merely modelling their behavior after our own much-beloved former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, who said this, after a Primates Meeting, as reported by The Living Church:
[blockquote]”Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold identified by name six Episcopalians for having detrimentally influenced the course of the primates’ meeting in remarks to the House of Bishops at their March 11-17 spring retreat at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas.
The devil is a liar and the father of lies and the devil was certainly moving about Dromantine, the site of the primates’ meeting in Northern Ireland, the presiding Bishop said, according to accounts from several bishops who spoke to THE LIVING CHURCH on the condition that their names not be revealed. The primates were “out for blood,†Bishop Griswold told them.
The Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh; the Rev. Canon Bill Atwood, general secretary of the Ekklesia Society; the Rev. Canon Martyn Minns, rector of Truro Parish, Fairfax, Va.; the Rev. Canon David Anderson, president of the American Anglican Council; the Rev. Canon Kendall Harmon, canon theologian of the Diocese of South Carolina; and Diane Knippers, president of the Institute for Religion and Democracy, were singled out for opprobrium by the Presiding Bishop for their behind-the-scenes roles at Dromantine.”[/blockquote]
http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=882
Which is it, BfB? Is it only “devilish behavior” if its orthodox folks doing it and progressives denouncing it?
I await your denunciation of such astounding words by Frank Griswold. I, of course, cannot denounce them as immoral words, but merely innacurate, since theologically speaking I do believe that Satan influences behavior.
In the meantime, StandFirm helpfully illustrated the six people so named:
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/mt/archives/000615.html