The Times also writes: “And tensions between the West and Islam underlie the complaint by African bishops that an endorsement of homosexuality by Western churches puts Christians at a disadvantage with Muslims — and at risk of physical violence — in areas where the two faiths compete for adherents.”
A “disadvantage”? Exclusion is a far worse disadvantage for Anglicans. Risk of violence is another thing, however. Still, I am curious if this violence is truly based on homosexuality in the United States. After all, if African bishops and local Muslims are on the same side of the dispute, how can there be disagreement, let alone fighting? Perhaps agreements by some bishops (such as Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola) to support violence against homosexuals and their supporters by joining with local Muslims in oppression should be given more examination in the “culture war.”
The Times’ use of language that styles African bishops and their American supporters as culture warriors victimized by liberal encroachment neither accurately describes the situation in the Anglican Communion nor benefits the healthy exchange of ideas. The so-called culture war is not a response to victimization but an excuse to exclude, deride and criminalize those who are different. Why don’t we start to discuss “traditional notions of faith and family” as describing compassionate action and loving, committed relationships? Those are truly Biblical notions.
Isn’t it remarkable that an Episcopalian Rector in Lansing, Michigan, understands the situation on the ground in Muslim-dominated parts of Africa so much better than the Christians living there?
I hope when they read this pieece, people like Bishop Ben Kwashi will realise that getting burnt out of your home and having your wife’s life threatened by a mob (it happened to his family) is really nothing compared with the pain felt by Episcopalians who suffer ‘exclusion’ and ‘victimisation’ in Lansing, Michigan.
And anyway, those Africans should be glad – glad because if they do have to undergo a few minor hardships, it is for something really important . . . cultural progress (a field in which Lansing, Michigan, stands out as a well-known beacon to which the benighted of the world turn for grateful illumination).
I’m going to have to stop there. Sarcasm overload coming on.
Bee awhile since I’ve read such complete hogwash.
“Been.” Sigh.
William S [#1], the Episcopal rector in Lansing MI understands an important thing: Muslim-on-Christian violence in Africa is really about homosexuality in roughly the same way that modern Serb-on-Albanian violence was really about the Battle of Kosovo, and that modern Shiite-on-Sunni violence is really about the murder of Caliph Ali.
DC and Lansing agree that the Africans have it wrong, … again. I find it wonderful that they are so perspicacious from so mant degrees of separation. But then, they may not think the legal violence of Sheriff Schori is violence either. Such would have to be directed at alleged members like MavIllya to qualify, I suspect.
Just wondering — Would the Rev. Mr. Downs be willing to assert the above opinions while serving on the ground in a parish in Nigeria?
If his opinions are correct regarding the acceptability of homosexual activity within “loving, committed relationships,” then we should not excuse the Africans from asserting such acceptability even in the face of violent opposition. Mr. Downs is therefore slightly right — the issue should not be the reaction of Muslims to “new” or “prophetic” teachings about homosexuality, but a commitment to proclaim the truth.
I suspect that the Africans are serious about their opposition to the new teaching coming from ECUSA, and it does them a grave injustice to claim that they take the position they do because of fear, or cultural blinders. I am at least willing to take their statements at face value unless it is proven otherwise. Perhaps a defender of Mr. Down’s point of view could articulate a reason why we should not give the Africans credit for intelligence, candor, and an ability to make up their own minds . . .
When all that matters is achieving one narrow agenda to the detriment of everything else then I guess one can come to this disjointed conclusion.
Its all a matter of perspective. In Nigeria, Peter Akinola could be hailed as a great crusading liberal simply because he opposes stoning homosexuals to death. In the US, UK and Canada he is a rabid homophobe, go figure!