Doing Politics the PECUSA Way

from Stand Firm by Jackie

Have you seen the State Farm commercial where the blonde (why is it always a blonde?) avers that you can’t put anything on the internet that is not true?  Well, here’s proof positive that such a statement is a bald faced lie.

Despite the tiny number of Episcopalians in America - 2 percent or so of the population—more presidents, senators, and Supreme Court justices have been Episcopalian than have been identified with any other religious affiliation. That suggests that maybe Episcopalians have some gifts for politics.

Last I checked the US population was 314 million give or take.  2% of that number would be approximately 6.3 million. ECUSA can’t even scrounge up a million people to attend services on any given Sunday. Even in its heyday, the numbers never got above the 4 million mark.  The majority of the presidents who were Episcopalians, I dare say they would not even recognize the modern ECUSA.  As in all things, we do need to consider the source.

Greg Garrett is the author of works of fiction, criticism, and theology, including Faithful Citizenship from Patheos Press. He is Professor of English at Baylor University, and a licensed lay preacher in the Episcopal Church

  At least he admits to works of fiction.
Mr. Garrett goes on to talk about the political influence of the Episcopalians and even reminds us of how edumacated they are.  They are so smart, they advocate the killing of the next generation of members and call it a blessing. 

The main thrust of his argument is the need for compromise and he thinks Episcopalians can lead the way in this area.  Well, finally something upon which we can agree.  ECUSA is truly a master at compromise.  They have compromised so much, it is not even in communion with the majority of Anglicans around the world.  Mr. Garrett thinks we need to get over ourselves where social issues are concerned.  Live and let live - more or less.  He even pulls out that Jesus never talked about it line.

It’s the kind of practice that makes Catholic bishops decree that if you don’t follow the church’s teachings on birth control, abortion, or other social issues—none of which are creedal or talked about by Jesus—you are outside the Church.

  This is where the liberalism in the church jumps right off the ledge.  They claim the Bible as their foundation - except all those icky parts that disagree with their current whims and desires.  And should you be adverse to chipping away at your spiritual foundation - well, aren’t you just a stick in the mud – not to mention a hater.  No via media for you.

Just remember that the middle way no longer leaves room for the essentials if those essentials disagree with the current fad or want.  Be it the yearning to justify a sexual urge or decision to murder a child so Mom fits into that really cool prom dress – that’s the middle way for the progressives.  Putting it more succulently, the middle way has become the substitution of man’s word for God’s.  Compromise?  Sure if we are talking about the fair linen but arguing that God sanctions the murder of the most innocent among us is not compromise.  It is sin.  Arguing that God blesses what He clearly does not, is not compromise.  It is a stumbling block we should seek to avoid and not tie around our necks.

Is doing politics the ECUSA way a good idea?  Yeah, sure, if you are the mayor of Sodom or Gomorrah.