Message from Bishop David Anderson         Bishop Anderson Dear Brothers and Sisters in orthodox Anglicanism, Why is it that Western "progressive" Anglicans both in North America and the British Isles are so fixated on sex, and, in particular, homosexuality? It is hard to read very far into either Episcopal Church (TEC) news, or Church of England news, without the issues of gay, lesbian, transgendered, bisexual, and who knows what else being the centerpiece of an article, event, new policy or canon law.  Because conservative Anglicans would prefer NOT to focus on sex, particularly homosexuality, and are willing to say so, they are accused of fixating on homosexuality. Makes your head spin, doesn't it. The President of the United States, Barack Obama, who was recently elected to a second term, is putting together the final plans for his inauguration ceremony and that means appointing various people to do or say important things. It is no secret that President Obama is very supportive of homosexual issues, having overturned the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military, and making homosexual behavior permissible in the military's ranks and aboard ship. He has also come out in favor of same-sex partnerships and homosexual marriage, and has begun surrounding himself with people who will fall in line with his point of view.

Recently, he asked the Rev. Louie Giglio, a very successful pastor with young people in Rev. Giglio the Atlanta, Georgia area to give the benediction at his inauguration. Giglio pastors The Passion City Church. His current emphasis is on youth and, in particular, human sex trafficking, for which Atlanta seems to be a crossroads in the Southeast. After Mr. Obama added Rev. Giglio to the ceremony,  the gay watchdogs went to work to out this Atlanta pastor and discovered that 16 or 17 years ago Giglio preached a sermon critical of homosexuality. Immediately the watchdogs began to pressure President Obama to dump the Atlantan and find someone gay friendly. If you are in a pinch and want someone gay friendly, the first place to look these days is the Episcopal Church (TEC), and the President did find a gay-friendly speaker just across the street at St. John's Episcopal Church. The Presidential Inaugural Committee summed it all up, saying, "As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration's vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans." Since he had obviously offended so many gay and lesbian people with his ancient sermon, and since the unwanted battle could obscure his current work, Pastor Giglio withdrew from the ceremony. This then freed the President to choose a pastor who was on the left side of the page on sexual issues. One can only wonder which phone from the White House was used to call Pastor Giglio and inform him of the kerfuffle and explain what his preferred response should be. It is perhaps unfortunate that Pastor Giglio didn't demur and force the President to remove him for his long-ago sermon, thus publicly exposing the unattractive underbelly of the homosexual agenda. What is the homosexual agenda? First, to sensitize the media and community to their human-ness, their desire to be just like everyone else, and why they should be treated fairly, and this, of course does resonate with most of us. Step one, Sensitize. Step two is to demonize all who disagree with the practice of homosexuality. Make them look uncaring, unloving, fearful, and call them homophobic, labeling them with names that no one would want to associate with. Step two continues, however, step three is also begun. Step three is to normalize homosexual practices and their incorporation into the structure of society, first, through same-sex unions and partnerships, then, through gay marriage, adoption, and any other relationship or benefit given to heterosexuals in our culture. Even as this third stage works its way through our institutions and structures, the second stage of demonization, punishing and silencing, grows ever more harsh. If you are identified as a non-supporter of homosexuality, then your business will be punished or disrupted, or you may be fired. If you are in academia, your writings will be marginalized and you may not make tenure. Or if you are asked to do something in the government, and then outed, you will be forced to step down and make way for a more "sensible, right-thinking, modern" human being. Across the street from the White House is historic St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette President Obama and Rev. Leon Square, often called the Church of the Presidents. The rector of the parish, the Rev. Luis Leon, was asked by former President George W. Bush to give the invocation at Bush's 2005 inauguration. President Bush frequently attended this church as well. Leon, however, has become quite outspoken about his support of gay and lesbian issues, and the Episcopal Church is rife with homosexual clergy and has a number of gay and lesbian bishops as well. Appointing the rector of St. John's to pray at an inauguration is convenient for anyone living in the White House. In this present situation, the sexual ideology of the White House and the rector, Rev. Luis Leon, seem to track together. Any president is within his rights to make his own choice about who gives the invocation or benediction at his inauguration, but this incident exposes the ugly underside of the homosexual lobby's demonization and punishing efforts, and their ability to move the President in lockstep with them. There were good reasons for President Obama to have chosen the Atlanta evangelical pastor Louie Giglio in the first place. He is well known for his work combating human trafficking, but in the new battle for normalization, the gay community is not taking any prisoners. I am sure that Pastor Giglio feels his work  is too important and crucial for it to be smeared by someone else's agenda, and on that I agree with him. May God bless him in his work. Blessings and peace in Christ Jesus, +David The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr. President and CEO, American Anglican Council