The Problem is...
The following was originally submitted as a post to the Episcopal Apostacy Yahoo group back in 03 or 04. Unfortunately it never got posted--probably because it was too controversial. I later put this up on what was the beginning of an early blog.
Just this past week, the bishops of the Episcopal church essentially decided to drop kick the rest of the Anglican Communion, but what's really cool is that it looks like the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, will support them. This means that, if all goes right, many bishops in the "global south" (the black and brown members of the Anglican communion who happen to be in the majority) will separate from the "See of Canterbury".
For sporting fans this should be massively interesting to watch. The whole communion will be torn to shreds! In my world, this is a good thing. I mean, come on, If you are going to call yourself a church--a religion, an ancient religion, a Christian religion, shouldn't you keep to your long standing beliefs? OK, maybe not.
Anyway, what I wrote back then is quiet interesting, and since I'm going to delete the original file from my web site, here it is anew.
From Circa 2003...............
The Problem is ... The more I consider what is happening in the Anglican communion, the more that I realize the liberals are right. The church has chosen her direction. The "Anglican" communion allows for: infanticide, birth control, women's ordination, and homosexuality. This is the way it is. No, not all bishops in every place go along with these--or other tenants--but this IS the way it is.
The argument that they have changed what the church has "always" taught is preverbal bull. Many things previously taught have been changed, and accepted. Heresy has even been openly tolerated with no discipline (e.g. Spong). The Anglican church is ultimately a democracy; majority rules; and the majority ruled.
The problem is that the conservatives want to be "Anglican". They don't want start a new thing. And the reason they don't want to start a new thing?...
No, it's not apostolic succession. It's not the rich history. It is property. Too many congregations are unwilling to give up their lovely church building, their history, their plot of land, their address. But the time has come. If all the members of a Mormon ward wanted to become Baptist, they would need to leave the building. Likewise, the conservatives need to make a decision.
If they really want to be a witness to the world then they should declare that they are no longer Anglican (not just Episcopalian), that the "Anglican Communion" has demonstrated it's apostasy. They should turn in the keys to the church, and walk away. Move down the street to a gym, seek guidance from godly bishops, who likewise walk away, leave the property, pensions, vestments, and yes even the columbium's that may be there. Leave their history and start anew.
If this were to happen then the world would see that these schismatics really believe what they say, so much so, that they would give up everything for their faith.
I don't believe this will happen.
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