“The reality is that the cathedral serves as a sacred space for the nation,” says Sam Lloyd, dean of the cathedral. “A place the nation looks to in critical times.”
Washington National Cathedral also transcends politics and even the separation of religions. Though nominally an Episcopal church, it welcomes everyone. It is at once deeply Christian and deeply interfaith. The Episcopal Church has a long history of inclusiveness. The first black bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, John Walker, presided there. Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first female presiding bishop in the Episcopal Church, was inducted there. And Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson of the Diocese of New Hampshire was the first openly gay bishop in Christendom.
“We are a place that welcomes people of all faiths and no faith,” says Lloyd, echoing Barack Obama’s words of two years ago. “Whatever we once were,” Obama said then, “we’re no longer just a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation and a Buddhist nation and a Hindu nation and a nation of nonbelievers.”
Can’t speak for Barry. But her description of TEC just reinforces my view that it is liturgical Unitarianism. On the other hand it might be a step up from his previous church. That’s a rather frightening thought.
Under the mercy,
[url=http://ad-orientem.blogspot.com/]John[/url]
An [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj4pUphDitA]Orthodox [/url] Christian
Ummm, I’m not sure this is a good idea. The National Cathedral is nothing more than a showcase these days.
As an atheist, Ms. Quinn is particularly qualified to recommend the National Cathedral.
Here’s a radical thought: If President-elect Obama has any Christian faith at all, why not worship somewhere where he can put his trust in God and the Lord Jesus Christ to guide his decisions? Maybe even ask for forgiveness for choosing the church he was in for the last 20 years? Then begin his Presidency strongly grounded in the Gospel of Jesus. I certainly would respect him more than for Sally Quinn’s window dressing be all things to all people argument.
[i]The Jeremiah Wright episode, though hopelessly misunderstood by most Americans,…[/i]
Oh, unlike many revisionists, Wright spoke quite clearly, leaving little if any room for misunderstanding him. In Quinn’s weird makeover, it’s us tens of millions of ignorant literalists who are to blame for the “Wright episode” — for taking him at his word. Sheesh.
w.w.
[i] Maybe even ask for forgiveness for choosing the church he was in for the last 20 years? [/i]
—FlaAnglican [#4]
Unlike the rest of us, whose choice of church has always been exemplary.
Touche.
[blockquote] For the first time, many white Americans were exposed to rhetoric inside a black church that shocked and surprised them. But what it really did was to expose a deep religious divide in the country. [/blockquote]
I wonder, now that Obama has been elected, how will the Sunday lesson in African-American churches change? Will the seemingly constant theme of oppression be replace with “we’ve reached the promised land?” Or will there be a brief moment of rejoicing and then a return to the liberation theology?
I expect that the Obamas will attend services there from time to time and their girls will probably be enrolled at the Episcopal academy.
Unlike the rest of us, whose choice of church has always been exemplary.
Thank you # 6…….well said. Like most on this blog…I attended the “sex orientation” classes at my church in the 80s…….when each congregation was asked to discuss the subject……sure, I spoke my piece…..but gently as didn’t want to upset those who might not even know what we were talking about……yes, I went to an AAC meeting prior to 2003 where they warned us what was going to happen…walked out and said “no, these people don’t know what they’re talking about….it will never happen……so just between us perfect Christians, I’m going to give Obama some slack on this one, as regards the firey preacher to whom he listened……probably, many times, thought the good reverend was a wee bit over the cliff, but how many times in the past few years we can say that we have heard some “over the cliff” preaching…… and just rolled our eyes and kept our mouths shutt….I’m guilty….
Interesting angle to get some of the bailout cash so desperately needed at the National Cathedral?
One of the encouraging things about the discussion surrounding the Rev. Wright and Trinity UCC was the number of black Christians from around the country who testified publicly that their churches are NOT primarily black separatist organizations but rather Christian churches, first and foremost. They said that the rhetoric coming from Jeremiah Wright did not mirror what they heard from their pastors on Sundays. Based on an interview in Christianity Today, it seems that Mr. Obama has met the liberation theology version of Jesus, but perhaps not the real Jesus. On a personal basis, not political, let us pray that the Obamas find one of these genuine Christian churches in Washington and that Barack Obama will find the real Jesus he’s been looking for.
I personally think that Obama and the National Cathedral will be a perfect match . . . just as his old church was . . .
In light of his new-elected position, he needs something that is more, shall we say, [i]rhetorically nuanced[/i] than his church, ahd the Cathedral should supply that. Maybe he can attend all the Iranian terrorist fetes they have there, as well.
It seems to me that concerning ourselves with where the President “worships” assumes that the faith of a world leader will necessarily affect his daily decision-making. I prefer the contrary assumption. . .. that those who consciously seek to wield worldly power will find that power-wielding affecting what “used to be” their faith.” Well did John the Elder write: “For we know that we are the children of God and the whole world lies in the lap of the Evil One.” Even in 2008, one cannot serve two masters.
It was reported that the president-elect went to the gym today and did not attend church.
So, Katherine, I have to wonder what (if any) Jesus Obama might meet at the Cathedral…
From what I have seen of the Cathedral, and Obama, so far, I would say they are a perfect match.