Gay Rights

By Russell Shaw
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of 8/28/03)

The General Convention of the Episcopal Church that took place in Minneapolis in early August generated at least one memorable quote. It came from the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the active homosexual who divorced his wife some years ago and lives with another man and whose selection as Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire the convention confirmed, to the dismay of Episcopalian traditionalists and others.

Asked at a news conference to square the convention's action with the Christian teaching that homosexual sex is wrong, he said: "Just simply to say that it goes against tradition and the teaching of the Church and Scripture does not necessarily make it wrong."

Indeed. It is helpful to have this clear statement that legitimating homosexual sex is a package deal. Someone who accepts that must reject Sacred Scripture, the consensus of the Fathers, Doctors and approved theologians, and a body of authoritative moral doctrine extending over two millennia. That is as true for dissenting Catholic theologians, of course, as for Episcopalians or anyone else.

There also is food for thought in the rationale proposed by Rev. Robinson to justify setting these things aside: "We worship a living God, and that living God leads us into truth."

While the meaning of this remark may be less than crystal clear, it appears to be an argument derived from a popularized version of process theology — the notion that God changes his mind now and then as he gets older and smarter.

I am reminded of something said by a friend of mine. Having been an Episcopalian most of his life, he finally found his Church's increasing oddness more than he could bear and a couple of years ago came over to Roman Catholicism. Discussing what troubled him about Episcopalianism over lunch a few weeks ago, he summed it up in a word: "Sentimentality."

He meant the practice — hardly unique to Episcopalians obviously — of being led by feelings untutored by either reason or common sense.

Sentimental people often take credit for being tolerant, but Harold O.J. Brown, an evangelical commentator on religious affairs, denies their right to that honorable name. "To be tolerant," he pointed out in a piece on the Episcopalian troubles, "one would have to believe something." But the religious beliefs of such persons appear reducible to the idea that God exists to give them what they want. If that doesn't happen, some injustice clearly has occurred.

In fairness to Episcopalians, it's no wonder that they are so confused about these things. So are many other people. On the subject of homosexuality in particular we have all been relentlessly propagandized for years, and lately the propaganda has spread into popular culture and become shamelessly blatant.

Citing new homosexually oriented programs either already appearing on television or slated soon to be there, The New York Times reports: "These shows join a prime-time roster of gay-themed programming…that reflects a major shift in attitudes about gay subjects." But that way of putting it fudges up what really has happened, to the point of grossly misrepresenting it.

The proliferation of gay-themed TV shows may well reflect a shift in attitudes. But the shift didn't happen by itself. It was produced by years of effort by gay activists and friendly media, notably including the frequently gay-themed New York Times, with the cooperation of trendy church people.

Finally, though, a thought about a group often ignored by the propagandists — homosexuals who wish to live chaste lives. How trying gay advocacy must be for them! They deserve our sympathy, respect and prayers.

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