From: John W Burgeson (jwburgeson@juno.com)
Date: Tue Nov 11 2003 - 17:41:22 EST
I had written:
>>> The movement fighting the consecration of an openly gay Episcopal
priest
> as bishop is bankrolled by a select few far-right groups and
individuals,
> including Howard F. Ahmanson, Jr, a major donor to the Discovery
> Institute as well as an organization promoting Christian
> Reconstructionism.
Gordon wrote: "This sounds to me like an attempt to smear those who for
conscience sake
oppose this consecration by linking them with these other groups"
In this case, I think not. From what I've been able to determine, this
guy Ahmanson is for real -- he wants and is lobbying for a political
change in the US to a "Christian Theocracy," which calls for, among other
things, capital punishment for active homosexuals (and, I think, anyone
not worshipping the 'god" Ahmanson defines, and a general "return" to
many (all?) of the OT laws. That there are those who hold the
consecration ought to be opposed on moral grounds and are not influenced
by Ahmanson is not contested; I know some and they are my friends. In
point of fact I myself have no position on the consecration; there are
rational and persuasive arguments on either side (obviously) and, not
being Episcopal, I have not studied them sufficiently to take a position.
So there are two questions. (1) Are the reports of Ahmanson's bankrolling
correct? and (2) Are such activities a "Christian" thing to do? I am
fairly sure (but not certain) that the answer to (1) is "yes." The answer
to (2) is more problematical. I have a hard time saying it is an immoral
action, but it doesn't "smell" just right. Perhaps it is the secrecy
involved.
Burgy
www.burgy.50megs.com
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