The headline grabber is that Thew Forrester is both an Episcopal priest and an ordained \u201d\u201d whatever that means \u201d\u201d teacher of Zen Buddhism. However, it is also interesting that, when he was elected, Thew Forrester was the only nominee. In an attempt to derail the election, conservatives are asking, \u201cWho anointed him in this manner and why?\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
The bishop-elect has avoided mainstream coverage, in part, by declining interviews from publications such as the respected Anglican periodical The Living Church. The lack of info has allowed his supporters to simply say he is being attacked by people who have no interest in understand the complex nature of his approach to these faiths.<\/p>\n
However, Frank \u201cBible Belt Blogger\u201d\u009d Lockwood of The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has marched into the gap, landing an interview that may be just as hot as his famous \u201d\u201d on the record, nicely recorded \u201d\u201d interview with former President Carter in which he called the George W. Bush administration the \u201cworst in history.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll need to check it out. But here is the top of the story, which is a rare mainstream news report that asks basic doctrinal questions and then prints the answers. Note that Lockwood assumes that this controversy actually centers on religious doctrines and liturgical issues, not simply politics. What a concept.<\/p>\n