Good News, Bad News

CRISIS Magazine - e-Letter

November 14, 2003

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Dear Friend,

I've got two things I want to bring to your attention... I'll start
with the bad news.

As you probably already know, the Episcopal church in America
(ECUSA) recently appointed an openly practicing homosexual as the
bishop of New Hampshire. Bishop V. Gene Robinson has been the center
of a firestorm in the ECUSA and the greater Anglican church around
the world -- some communities are officially severing ties with the
ECUSA because of this decision, and many people are wondering if full
schism isn't far down the road.

Still, Bishop Robinson and his supporters have defended the
decision, saying that the church needs to be open to everyone, not
just a select few who accept "outdated" teachings about
homosexuality. Bishop Robinson feels that this is a sign of God's
work in the church, helping people feel welcomed and free to speak
their mind about their personal beliefs.
 
This is all pretty ironic, given what happened last week in
England...

Apparently, the Right Rev. Dr. Peter Forster, Anglican bishop of
Chester, said in an interview with a local newspaper, "Some people
who are primarily homosexual can reorientate themselves. I would
encourage them to consider that as an option, but I would not set
myself up as a medical specialist on the subject -- that's in the
area of psychiatric health."

For daring to express his quite reasonable views, Forster has been
accused by the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) of making
"offensive" and "scandalous" remarks that others feel could incite
violence against homosexuals. Martin Reynolds, the communications
director of the LGCM, said, "These are irresponsible remarks that
could inflame latent homophobia."

But it gets worse.

You see, the local police are now investigating Forster to determine
if his comments amount to a criminal offense under England's hate
crime laws.

Even if one disagrees with the bishop's analysis of treating
homosexuality, it's his position -- and the position of historic
Christianity -- that homosexual acts are disordered. Should he be
denied his right to say so publicly? And what about the LGCM and
other groups who push so hard for "equality" and "inclusion" in the
Anglican church? If Bishop Robinson is allowed his say, why isn't
Bishop Forster?

Look, honest efforts to ensure that homosexuals are protected
equally under the law is one thing; encroaching on the rights of
others -- where now even disagreement could be made a criminal
offense -- is quite another. "Equality for me but not for thee" now
seems to be the rallying cry for gay activists.

It's small comfort that this blatant disregard of civil rights is
occurring in the UK and not in the U.S. (not yet, anyway). But with
the continuing success of gay activists in this country, we're not
far behind.

As sobering a thought as that is, I do want to give you some good
news to balance it out. Last week, while I was speaking at my alma
mater, the University of Texas, Austin, several students alerted me
to the following...

Planned Parenthood recently began construction on a new abortion
facility in Austin, making it the fourth licensed abortion provider
in the city. When local pro-lifers got wind of the plan, they flooded
the contractor's office with calls and complaints about the project,
saying that working with Planned Parenthood would hurt Browning
Construction's business with pro-life companies.

The result? Browning pulled out of the project and construction came
to a halt. Predictably, some were furious. Former mayor of Austin,
Bruce Todd, called it "economic blackmail." Actually, Mr. Todd, it's
called freedom in action. Browning is free to work for Planned
Parenthood, and pro-lifers are free to take their business elsewhere.
Insisting that the contractor has the right to work for Planned
Parenthood but should be spared from any backlash or criticism is
rank hypocrisy... The same kind of hypocrisy that demands "tolerance"
for homosexuality while showing only intolerance for those who object
to it.

It seems that if you're a faithful Christian these days, you need to
get used to the double standard.

I hope you have a restful weekend. I'll talk to you next week.

Deal



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Sex abuse scandals... irreverent liturgies... homosexuality in the
seminaries... liberal theology preached from the pulpit...

You know all about the crisis in the Church. But you've never heard
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Fr. Benedict Groeschel knows. He was there when it happened... 10
years BEFORE Vatican II.

What he saw will surprise you.

Click here to learn more:

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