Openly Episcopal in Albany

Anglican Vassalage?

Browsing in the library at Silver Bay on Lake George, where I am relaxing this Memorial Day weekend, I took down the volume on Matthew from The Anchor Bible series and began reading.  Not far into the introduction, I read the editor's description of what "covenant" means in the Bible:

It is clear that "covenant" in the Old Testament (and, pari passu, in the New Testament) describes an arrangement in which a sovereign Lord lays down the conditions under which he is prepared to accept the vassalage of, and aford protection to, those who seek his aid and wish to enter his dominion.

Now if the Anglican provinces from the Global South (who concocted and promoted the proposed Anglican Covenant) are indeed comitted to Biblical faithfulness, this must be what they envision.  If we are meant to accept vassalage as a condition of staying within the dominion of the altered Anglican Communion, then I think our response to the Covenant must be a resounding "no."

So That's What They Were Up To In Sodom

There is an interesting quiz on the Opinion page of The New York Times, published May 21.  It explores our presuppositions about what the Bible really says about matters of sex. The quiz is based on “Unprotected Texts: The Bible’s Surprising Contradictions about Sex and Desire,"by Jennifer Wright Knust, a Biblical scholar and an ordained American Baptist pastor.

The New York Times columnist concludes that "the Bible’s teachings about sexuality are murky and inconsistent and prone to being hijacked by ideologues."  One of the surprising answers to the quiz is that the sin of sodom had less to do with sexual practice than the fact that "they did not aid the poor and needy” among them.  Who'd of thought?  Only those who have read Ezekiel (16:49).

If you have an open mind, then take the quiz and compare compare your answers (some questions may have more than one correct answer):

1. The Bible’s position on abortion is:
a. Never mentioned.
b. To forbid it along with all forms of artificial birth control.
c. Condemnatory, except to save the life of the mother.

2. The Bible suggests “marriage” is:
a. The lifelong union of one man and one woman.
b. The union of one man and up to 700 wives.
c. Often undesirable, because it distracts from service to the Lord.

3. The Bible says of homosexuality:
a. Leviticus describes male sexual pairing as an abomination.
b. A lesbian should be stoned at her father’s doorstep.
c. There’s plenty of ambiguity and no indication of physical intimacy, but some readers point to Ruth and Naomi’s love as suspiciously close, or to King David declaring to Jonathan: “Your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.” (II Samuel 1:23-26)

4. In the Bible, erotic writing is:
a. Forbidden by Deuteronomy as “adultery of the heart.”
b. Exemplified by “Song of Songs,” which celebrates sex for its own sake.
c. Unmentioned.

5. Jesus says that divorce is permitted:,
a. Only after counseling and trial separation.
b. Never.
c. Only to men whose wives have been unfaithful.

6. Among sexual behavior that is forbidden is:
a. Adultery.
b. Incest.
c. Sex with angels.

7. The people of Sodom were condemned principally for:
a. Homosexuality.
b. Blasphemy.
c. Lack of compassion for the poor and needy.

Answers:

1. A. Abortion is never mentioned as such.

2. A, B and C. The Bible limits women to one husband, but other than that is all over the map. Mark 10 envisions a lifelong marriage of one man and one woman. But King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (I Kings 11:3). And Matthew (Matthew 19:10-12) and St. Paul (I Corinthians 7) both seem to suggest that the ideal approach is to remain celibate and avoid marriage if possible, while focusing on serving God. Jesus (Matthew 19:12) even seems to suggest that men make themselves eunuchs, leading the early church to ban enthusiasts from self-castration.

3. A and C. As for stoning on a father’s doorstep, that is the fate not of lesbians but of non-virgin brides (Deuteronomy 22:13).

4. B. Read the “Song of Songs” and blush. It also serves as a metaphor for divine relations with Israel or with humans.

5. B and C. Jesus in Mark 10:11-12 condemns divorce generally, but in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 suggests that a man can divorce his wife if she is guilty of sexual immorality.

6. A, B and C. We forget that early commentators were very concerned about sex with angels (Genesis 6, interpreted in the Letter of Jude and other places) as an incorrect mixing of two kinds.

7. C. “Sodomy” as a term for gay male sex began to be commonly used only in the 11th century and would have surprised early religious commentators. They attributed Sodom’s problems with God to many different causes, including idolatry, threats toward strangers and general lack of compassion for the downtrodden. Ezekiel 16:49 suggests that Sodomites “had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.”

The author of the above quiz is Nicholas D. Kristof, an Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times.  He invites comments on his column at his blog, On the Ground.

New York's Bishop Supports Marriage Equality

A letter to the editor of the New York Times from the bishop of our neighboring diocese, the Diocese of New York, published Sunday, May 15.  As he says, "not all people of faith" follow the course taken by the diocese of Albany, in the capital of New York State.  Bishop Sisk of New York writes:

Not all people of faith oppose the granting of equal civil rights without regard to gender orientation (“Faith Groups Campaign to Block Gay Marriage,” news article, May 6).

Speaking personally, I support the proposed New York legislation. So too, I am happy to say, does the Episcopal Diocese of New York, which voted in 2008 to call on the governor and the Legislature to enact it.

(Rt. Rev.)

Mark S. Sisk
Episcopal Bishop of New York
New York, May 9, 2011

Religious Peace the Key to Fighting Terrorism

Since the killing of Osama Bin Laden two Sundays ago, political commentators and religious figures everywhere have had their say.  One of the best analyses that I have read is the pastoral letter from the Bishop of Central Pennsylvania. 

Whatever the justification for this geopolitical killing, it will not advance the cause of peace.  Only religious and cultural understanding will remove the root of terrorism.

Bishop Baxter writes:

For many the killing of Osama Bin Laden is a long overdue symbolic act of justice and a time for celebration.  While I understand such inclinations I caution the same, lest we lose sight of the most important work of peace and understanding in the politically named "War on Terrorism."  This war and the search for Bin Laden first began with President Clinton and the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.  While Dean of the National Cathedral I prepared and led the 1998 National Memorial Service with President Clinton, as I later did for the National 9/11 Memorial Service with President George W. Bush.  In the planning of both services I insisted to both presidents that Muslim religious leaders participate with prayers and Quran readings.  These services showed the world the best of both religious faiths and also the best of Americans' civic spirit -- that fear of extremism cannot define either.

We must remember that Osama Bin Laden is only a symbol of evil as terrorism and ideological extremism.  This is not a Muslim-Christian religious war.  Rather this is an ideological war by powerful extremists who seek to manipulate the religious and cultural fears of both Muslim and Christians at home and abroad.  The work of everyday Americans, especially Christians, is to live into the best of our faith teachings, resist extremists' abuse in any religion, and guard the dignity of our neighbor, especially Muslims.

The military efforts to win the war against terrorists and terrorism will continue, even with the killing of Osama Bin Laden.  But the more important work of building cultural and religious peace must also continue.  Only everyday Americans, especially Christians and Muslims, can "Win the Peace" at home and abroad.  We do this by intentionally reaching out to one another; by understanding and respecting the best of one another's traditions; and by speaking out against extremist behavior and abuses by those of our own traditions.

I am deeply grateful for the efforts of local congregations which have been reaching out to neighboring Muslim communities.  Such efforts towards hospitality, learning and sharing of prayers must continue now more than ever.  When our local communities and other nations see Americans demonstrating the best of our religious teachings and cultural ideals, it will do more to "Win the Peace" and defeat terrorism than military actions.  As Jesus taught, "Blessed are the peace makers (whatever their religion) for they shall be recognized as children of God".

Yours for the Peace of God,

The Rt. Rev. Nathan D. Baxter, D.Min., S.T.D., D.H.L., D.D.
Bishop, The Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania

The Plight of Pakistani Christians

 

Pakistan has been in our news a lot lately. 

We have heard about military action, political tension between our two governments, and of course, the killing of Osama bin Laden.  We have not heard as much about persecution of Pakistani Christians, which is a very real threat in that majority Muslim country.  A group in Albany which calls itself Hope for Pakistani Christians wants to bring religious persecution in Pakistan to our attention.  They plan a rally in Albany tomorrow, between 11.00 am and 3:00 pm. 

Through a friend, who is a member of the Pakistani community here in Albany, I have obtained the draft of a resolution to be presented at the rally tomorrow.  It mentions the recent political assassinations of prominent Christian leaders in that country and calls for the government of Pakistan to address the grievances not only of the Christian people there, but those of other religious minorities whose rights are being violated.

We, the North American Christians, Church and Community Leaders, today, May 6th, 2011, unanimously resolve and strongly condemn the assasination of Pakistan Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, who throughout his life promoted the inter-faith harmony and tolerance among the religions and creeds.  Mr. Bhatti was a bridge builder among the minorities and the marority of Pakistan.  He believed that Pakistan came into existence with secular principles and every Pakistani has every right to practice his/her faith and creed.  He wanted to restore the image of Pakistan while bringing positive and acceptable amendments (to) the "blasphemy law", which has created hatred, prejudice and discrimintation among the people of Pakistan in general and the minorities in particular.

Mr. Bhatti's assasinatin underlines the issue of protection of religious minorities, life and liberty.  The government of Pakistan has to go beyond the rehetoric (that) minorities enjoy all the rights in the country, and take practical steps to curb extremism in Pakistan.  We appeal to the United Nations, European Union Human Rights Commission, President of the United States, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (and the) Federal and Provincial Governments of Pakistan to take up the (cause) of innocent minorities.  Moreover, we demand a special panel consisting of (the) leaders of all the religions, judges, and high level police officers, so that the rights and dignity of each minority should be restored.

We request the above-mentioned authorities to form a neutral panel for the thorough investigation of the assasination of Mr. Shabaz Bhattti and Mr. Salman Taseer, the Governor of Punjab, and Asia Bibi's death penalty, and to bring the culprits to book.

The resolution is signed by the several members of Hope for Pakistani Christians, including the president of the organization, Mr. Hubert George.  The drafters of the resolution plan to forward it to the leaders of other Pakistani religious groups within the United States as well as prominent politicians here and in Pakistan.

The group intends to continue its work to bring  the condition of religious minorites in Pakistan to our attention.  We will let you know of further developments within the Pakistani Christian community in Albany as the movement grows.