DUKING IT OUT

Not that I think the Episcopalians and the Anglicans are going at it to the extent shown in the picture above, but if you've read in the newspaper about the split in the Episcopal denomination you'll understand.

Some time ago the main denomination splintered over certain issues, among which was gay bishops, same-sex marriage and social action rather than evangelism. These issues had long been the focus of unrest and unhappiness within the Episcopal church, and finally the disagreement turned into action. The group which left basically was not in favor of these things and last month became a new national church called the Anglican Church in North America, much more traditional and evangelical.

The Episcopal General Conference recently met in Anaheim, and in her opening address to the convention the church's presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori shared these thoughts, among others: That we can be saved as individuals and that any of us alone can be in right relations with God is heresy; that an individual's prayer can achieve a saving relationsip with God is heresy; that individualist focus is a form of idolatry in that it puts me and my words in the place that only God can occupy.

Is she right?

Now the little religious being that still lurks around in my adult soul is flabbergasted at this statement, although not surprised. The rational being in my adult soul says "So who cares?" But I must admit that I got a good laugh from an online poll reported by OneNewsNow.com in answer to the question: "What's your reaction to these statements by Bishop Jefferts Schori?" Answers were grouped as follows:

1. 4.70 percent said, "How'd she get to be the leader of the Episcopal Church?"
2. 24.66 percent said, "No surprise, considering her church ordained an openly homosexual bishop."
3. 28.59% said, "This is further evidence of Episcopal leaders moving away from orthodox doctrine"

And the one that made me laugh:
4. 42.04% said, "She is the heretic!"

Such interesting things go on in the name of religion!