Bishop of Alabama Votes for Same Sex Blessings but Against Allowing in Alabama
The bishop of Alabama has decided that while voting for SSB, it is too divisive for his diocese.
“Theology is an ongoing revelation,” Sloan told The Birmingham News. “It’s influenced by context. There are parts of the country that are more conservative and traditional, and there are parts of the country that are more liberal. In Alabama, it would be divisive within the Episcopal Church. We are deeply conflicted about this. I’d like for us to work through and pray about it.”
He did not permanently rule out such blessings, saying they may eventually be allowed.“I don’t have a timetable in mind,” he said. “I foresee that that’s a possibility.”
Politic speak for I need to get through this stewardship thing and wait until those pesky orthodox fall asleep again.
Those who support same-sex blessings said they were surprised Sloan will not allow them.
“He worked on the committee that developed the rite,” said Brad LaMonte, the Southeast regional vice president of Integrity, which promotes gay rights in the church. “It’s bizarre that he’s not allowing it in Alabama.”
Yes, he had no problem voting to pollute the waters and further eroding ECUSA’s very, very weak claim to Christianity. It will probably also help weed out those pesky orothodox who remain awake and watchful.
It would be a good time for the faithful to make sure Alabama has adequate resources available for those who are seeking help in dealing with unwanted same sex attraction. Since the subject is so fresh in the bishop’s mind, this might be a great time to call him and arrange to have such resources added to the Alabama arsenal. There are numerous groups that excel in that area. Redeemed Lives comes immediately to mind.
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7 comments
It does sound to me like an element of “Oh crikey, if I allow this in my diocese, the last few orthodox will walk and then we’re totally stewed, so I’ll keep sitting on the fence for the moment until we can permit it without losing money or getting yet more litigation going” entered into the good bishop’s calculations for this statement.
[1] Posted by Martha on 7-25-2012 at 09:55 AM · [top]
The “Creeping Normal” strategy (also known as “Slow-Boiling the Frog”) relies on never revealing the final destination. Standard rationization is “we’ve come this far, and it’s not so bad, so one more small step won’t kill us.”
[2] Posted by Michael D on 7-25-2012 at 10:02 AM · [top]
#1 Michael D,
“Creeping normal” sounds creepy to me. I think the bishop is trying to keep the orthodox from fleeing. If The Advent were to leave, there would go 14% of the plate and pledge and 10% of the ASA for the whole diocese.
[3] Posted by Undergroundpewster on 7-25-2012 at 11:01 AM · [top]
Uh oh, Greg, I see where my comment should have been #3 but bounced up to #1 for some bizzare reason.
[4] Posted by Undergroundpewster on 7-25-2012 at 11:02 AM · [top]
BINGO, Martha! You understand! Let “pacify” those pesky conservatives for the moment and then eventually they will either 1) go away or 2) die off. The real hope is that they will see “the light”.
[5] Posted by SC blu cat lady on 7-25-2012 at 11:21 AM · [top]
“Worship is an ongoing revelation,” Ahab told The Jerusalem News. “It’s influenced by context. There are parts of the country that are more conservative and traditional, and there are parts of the country that are more liberal. In Samaria, it would be divisive within the Israel. We are deeply conflicted about this. I’d like for us to work through and pray about it.”
He did not permanently rule out such worship, saying he may eventually build an alter in Samaria to Baal. “I don’t have a timetable in mind,” he said. “I foresee that that’s a possibility.” (1 Kings 16:29-33)
And we know how that worked out.
[6] Posted by iamaworm on 7-26-2012 at 04:41 PM · [top]
I think this explains the bishop’s attitude: http://adventbirmingham.org/parish-life/general-convention-deans-response-3/
When your cathedral Dean speaks out so clearly and publicly, and when he obviously has the Chapter behind him, what else can a liberal bishop do?
“Those who support same-sex blessings said they were surprised Sloan will not allow them. “He worked on the committee that developed the rite,” said Brad LaMonte, the Southeast regional vice president of Integrity, which promotes gay rights in the church. “It’s bizarre that he’s not allowing it in Alabama”.”
Rubbish. Sorry, but it is. Dean Limehouse’s statement was published on the diocesan website on 12 July 2012, long before this interview. So Brad LaMonte must have known perfectly well why the bishop is not allowing it in Alabama - because his senior clergy (and no doubt senior lay figures as well) strongly disagree with SSB!
[7] Posted by MichaelA on 7-26-2012 at 10:46 PM · [top]
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