from Midwest Conservative Journal
Charges so-called “de facto Episcopalians” with restraint of trade
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The Midwest Conservative Journal has learned that the Episcopal Church has threatened to sue every single person in the entire world for back pledge money.
Senior Editor Christopher Johnson obtained a copy of a form letter from the Episcopal Church’s New York office that has been mailed to everyone in the world and which should begin arriving shortly.
A source told Johnson that the letter, signed by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, declares that the Episcopal Church highly values religious diversity and would certainly never attempt to convert anyone.
According to the letter, not being an Episcopalian, “is an eminently Episcopalian choice to make and we respect and honor that choice.”
The letter goes on to state that not becoming an Episcopalian makes one a de facto Episcopalian, that Episcopalians were obligated to support their church and that failure to do so constitutes restraint of trade.
The full text of the letter follows:
Dear Sir or Madam:
The Episcopal Church believes that diversity is one of the greatest of God’s blessings on this world. All races and peoples on Earth are precious in God’s sight. And since peoples are different, it follows that true and valid religions will also be diverse. God is at work in all forms of spirituality under God’s heaven so you will never hear us insisting that our beliefs and worship are the only right ones, never mind, God forbid, trying to “convert” you.
Your decision not to be an Episcopalian, therefore, is an eminently Episcopalian choice to make and we respect and honor that choice. It is, however, the considered opinion of our legal department that choosing not to be an Episcopalian essentially makes you a de facto Episcopalian. As such, we have noticed that you have not sent the Episcopal Church any pledge money in at least the last ten years.
As you know, the mission of the Episcopal Church can be summed up in one word: reconciliation. And as you also know, financial times are hard. We simply cannot carry out our mission without your financial support. Therefore, we request that you send us your delinquent pledges. If this will be a financial hardship, we will work with you as much as we can consistent with our mission.
But we must have your pledges for at least the last ten years as soon as possible. Please do not consider this a threat. We would never dream of doing such a thing to people we respect and honor, but we have obtained independent legal opinions which state that your refusal to financially support your church constitutes restraint of trade. Therefore, if we do not hear from you in one month, your case will be referred to our legal department.
Sincerely,
Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop
Bonnie Anderson
President, House of Deputies
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