From BBC News via Raw Story:
The Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London has attacked traditionalists in the Anglican church for conducting a "witch-hunt" against homosexuals.
"The thought that anybody should be shown the door by the Church, I just find deeply offensive," said the Very Reverend Dr John Moses.
The Dean made the comments on the eve of his last service at St Paul's before his retirement in August.
He said the Anglican church must adapt to global conditions.
"It has to be recognised that we live in different cultural contexts, and pastoral questions which are deeply sensitive might have different solutions in different places," said Dr Moses, one of the most influential members of the Church of England.
"What I do know is that I don't find the truth by slamming the door on the debate. I do not actually want to know about people's sexual orientation, if I am honest, I take people on trust."
Controversial row
The Anglican Communion has been bitterly rowing over the issue of homosexual and women bishops, and in recent weeks, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has faced the issue of how to deal with a split church.
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Dr Moses, who has led services for Asian tsunami and the 7 July bombings, conceded that he had no answer for the bitter dispute but "hated" the idea of exclusion from the Church.
"We are preoccupied with one small matter and it is being presented as a question of Biblical truth and fidelity to scripture. I think this is simply not good enough.
"Because on that basis, you will not have a divorced person, you will not have a woman, and I could go on."
On the one hand, we have the traditionalists, whose position is similar to that of the Holy Terrors: homosexuality is evil and homosexuals are sinners. On the other hand, progressive members of the Anglican Church (including some in high-ranking positions) are beginning to treat the matter as one of love and compassion and, most importantly, tolerance.
To this point, the Holy Terrors have claimed the (so-called) moral high ground by claiming ultimate authority on God's behalf. However, if progressive religious leaders can make their voices heard, they can drown out the homophobes with common sense, compassion, and, most of all, Jesus' teachings.
The other night, my Lovely Wife and I were on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado.
On the sidewalk, we saw two groups of three people; three men in business suits and ties, talking about this corporate business deal or that, and just beyond them, three young people dressed like they'd just come out of an Ani DeFranco concert. Torn, faded jeans, dreadlocks, worn-out t-shirts, and an old felt hat on the ground half-filled with change. The businessmen were caught up in their own corporate world, and the grungy kids were asking for money to get out to California.
My Lovely Wife found a dollar in her purse and she gave it to the three kids. As we walked away, she said, "Which group do you think Jesus would have hung out with?"
Which group, indeed?
This debate is about more than just fucking or sexual preference or political power or morality or quotations from scripture.
It's about the basic human dignity and respect we owe to our brothers and sisters, and that we ask for ourselves.
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