Anglican Plan Threatens Split on Gay Issues (homosexuality, church, marriage)

[sojourner]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

A deification of Aristotle's Golden Mean.

Not at all. Christ is not always found in the middle ground. Sometimes Christ is found in extremes. But, I think the best expression of Christ in this case (where there is displayed much very human venom and judgment) is via moderation, where tolerance, forbearance, and patience can mitigate the judgment we bring through misunderstanding, the fright we feel in the unknown, and the venom we spit through believing our view to be the "right" one.

Above all, we, as Anglicans, in the baptismal covenant, are taught to "seek and to serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves," and to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. As this issue is dealt with, (as the issue of Catholic/Protestant was dealt with), we have to remain true to the spirit of our Church, which has always been quick to find loving compromise that brings people together as one Body, rather than to define ourselves so harshly that some are left out.

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by sojourner

Not at all. Christ is not always found in the middle ground. Sometimes Christ is found in extremes. But, I think the best expression of Christ in this case (where there is displayed much very human venom and judgment) is via moderation, where tolerance, forbearance, and patience can mitigate the judgment we bring through misunderstanding, the fright we feel in the unknown, and the venom we spit through believing our view to be the "right" one.

Above all, we, as Anglicans, in the baptismal covenant, are taught to "seek and to serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves," and to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. As this issue is dealt with, (as the issue of Catholic/Protestant was dealt with), we have to remain true to the spirit of our Church, which has always been quick to find loving compromise that brings people together as one Body, rather than to define ourselves so harshly that some are left out.

So Christ is sometimes extreme whereas the Church is not? Your assertion that you have not deified the Golden Mean is not very convincing here.

[lunamoth]

I don't think Soj is deifying the golden mean here AE. Actually, what the AC is trying to do is follow the golden commandment: love one another. Loving one another means trying to put our relationship with each other foremost, rather than political means and ends. Relationship often means some kind of compromise, or at least tolerance of the other's views. It's not easy, it requires a lot of patience over issues people really do not want to be patient with. The wheels of change may grind slow and fine but I think that's better than a hasty change and a break in relationship (even though that may be what happens...but it ain't over 'till it's over).

Where two or three gather Christ is...where Christ is Love is...where Love is we try to keep in communion and relationship withstanidng the storm of doctrine. I think that is the hallmark and strength of the AC.

[sojourner]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

So Christ is sometimes extreme whereas the Church is not? Your assertion that you have not deified the Golden Mean is not very convincing here.

No. You're misunderstanding me. Sometimes Christ is found in the extreme, sometimes not. We, as Christians, need to engage in serious discernment to discover where Christ is within any particular issue and speak as Christ, from where Christ speaks. My point is primarily that Christ is not automatically found in moderation.

However, in this particular case, keeping in mind our mandate to seek and serve Christ in all others, and to work for justice and dignity of every person, some sort of compromise will have to be reached. This is clearly not a one-sided issue. To promote one side, while stifling the other is to promote separation, which is anathema to the Anglican foundation. Whereas the Church spoke out very strongly against Apartheid, for example, because there was no justice for every person in that dynamic, the issue of homosexuality contains far more "gray area" that needs to be examined and treated very carefully.

If Christ is to be found in justice for every person, then Christ will be found in some sort of compromise here, because not every person is either gay or straight, and all need to be able to justly find expression in the Church.