I’m becoming a fan of astronomer-physicist-priest Nick Knisely’s blogging. He’s currently a deputy at General Convention, whence he writes:
… Andrew is reporting accurately when he says that in conversations with friends, some GLBT Christians are saying that they are willing to accept this language out of love for others in the Communion even though it would mean that they would become second-class citizens within the Church. They are willing to do this because they know what it is like to be excluded and they will not allow others to be treated as they have been treated.
Contrast this to the voices calling for an immediate split – the voices that are saying that they cannot join themselves with people with whom they disagree and that clarity and purity of thought must be our greatest goal. You can see this in the decision of the Diocesan Convention in Pittsburgh to remove their most prestigious member of Convention [the Very Rev. George Werner, president of the House of Deputies] because they disagreed with his vote [in 2003] to consent to the consecration of Gene Robinson. They were not willing to let this voice come to our table anymore.
When two groups make competing claims of possessing the truth, how shall we decide? Both groups claim that the Bible supports their stance. Both groups claim to be reasonable. Both groups can make arguments from Tradition – though in very different ways.
The criteria for decision becomes a matter of looking for the fruit of the trees they represent (to borrow a phrase from the Gospel.) I find myself looking for the signs of the Holy Spirit in the life and actions of the people asking me to decide between them.
On one hand we have voices that are willing to sacrifice themselves so that none will be lost. On the other hand we have voices that asking to be unyoked from those they disagree with, and asking to be given their birthrights and inheritance as they leave.
I also note that the second group is unwilling to stay behind to try to teach the people they believe are “in error” why those people are in error. Rather they need to separate so that they will not be compromised. I wonder why they can’t stay and fight for what they believe?
The GLBT folks are committed to staying and witnessing to their beliefs – even if Convention were to adopt the full requirements of the Windsor Report. They have not made any threats that I have heard.
Entangled States: General Convention, Sunday Morning… (paragraphing slightly edited).
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