Case Study: ANGLICAN PRIESTS FACE SANCTIONS AS SAME-SEX FIGHT GROWS

Allowing for the marriage of homosexuals is a topic that has been widely discussed among our nation today. It is also affecting many organized religions, and personal opinions, such as my own. I decided to write my case study on this topic because it is something that is very controversial and current in our society.

This article tells that there are seven priests within the Anglican denomination (of Christianity) that are being charged and possible excommunicated because they are going against their bishop. This is happening in British Columbia because Bishop Michael Ingham of New Westminster has blessed same-sex unions by the churches in his diocese. They are not being charged because they oppose same-sex marriages but because of disloyalty to their bishop. In order for a priest to become a priest, they must pledge loyalty to the bishop. The charges that the priests are facing include allegations of disobedience to the bishop, contemptuous or disrespectful conduct toward the bishop, schism, conduct causing scandal and other offences against the lawful authority of the bishop. So, although homosexual marriages are not directly involved in the charges they are the cause of them. Before the debate over same-sex marriages came up, there was no reason or worry for any charges like this.

This situation is just one of the examples of how same-sex marriages has effected religions today. This debate is causing tension with the people who are fore gay marriages and the people who are against them. Not only is it a problem with religious and non-religious people but it is a problem within religions. This article is a prime example of how it is causing tension within church communities. Arguments are happening with priests and their bishops and it is causing church families to separate. People have different views on the situation and it is creating a question of beliefs, morals and values. Our society has changed so much and is continuing to change that religions today are being faced with issues that used to be unheard of.

The bible clearly states that homosexuality is wrong. Leviticus 18:22 “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” This is where the conflict begins. Historically homosexuality was very rare, and considered detestable. But in today’s society it is becoming increasingly common, and isn’t looked upon as detestable just personal preference. So churches are being forced to modernize and grow as society is growing, although it is something they consider wrong. Our nation is a free nation and therefore people are allowed to choose their sexual preference freely, and should not be discriminated against. Some people feel as though it is a sin and should not be encouraged. The bible says that homosexuality is a result of sin. It was not something that God intended. Romans 1:24-27 “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” So differences arise because there are people who believe that homosexuality is completely wrong and should not be encouraged and other feel as though the person has the right to make that decision and should not be stopped from marrying someone if they choose.

I personally believe that homosexuality is wrong, and is a sin. But at the same time, I feel as though I am struggling with what I feel the right decision is. I do feel that because of what our code of rights states that people should be able to marry whom ever they choose. But at the same time, I believe that God’s law is the greatest law of all. I am torn because I have been raised in a world where everyone is and should be accepted as an individual and people are now given more freedom than ever before. I also believe that people should follow God and live a life that glorifies God as much as humanly possible.

If I were to only look at the political perspective of this debate I would say that same-sex marriages should definitely be legal, and it is an insult to humanity if they are discriminated against. But if I were to look at only the religious perspective of this debate I would say that it is completely immoral and allowing for homosexual marriages is an insult to God. The bible puts homosexuality in the same level as other sexual sins, 1 Corinthians 6:9 “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do no be decieved:Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders”. The law says that prostitution is wrong, and adultery is wrong, so why is it that homosexuality isn’t. What is the correct decision, I can’t tell you. I do know that homosexuality is a sin, and I would like it if we did not encourage sin.

I honestly can not say precisely where I stand on the same-sex marriage controversy. I know that it is wrong to be gay or lesbian but I also know that God put those political leaders there for a purpose, and I should respect them. God chose those people for a reason, and they are not there by mistake. Romans 13:1 “ Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” God appointed even the political leaders of the world, I will trust that God has a plan, and everything happens for a reason. For a reason they are leaders and their decisions are made for a reason. Hopefully one day we can all know what that reason is.

I know that it is not my place to judge or make decisions for other peoples lives. So all I can do is choose not to be a lesbian. Matthew 1:7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” I know that I do not need to worry about judging people because it is not my place and its God’s job. Psalm 75:7 “But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.” If a person deserves to be judged I know that God will take care of it. There will be a day when people will have to pay for their sins, and if God feels that homosexuality is a sin then those people will be judged because of it. Romans 2:16
“This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares” I do not and should not be the one who passes judgements on other people saying that they are sinners and wrong. Because I am a sinner and I am wrong too, sometimes.

This is a complicated issue and it is unfortunate that it is tearing apart religious communities. I don’t know what will happen with this in the future. Hopefully the bishop and his priests will be able to work something out, and God’s plan will show itself. I know that this topic is something many people feel very strong about, but I think we all need to know that we are not God, and we are not in control. Right now, the most important thing is for us to love one another, whether we agree or disagree God will take care of it. 1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Bibliography

Hume, Mark. “Anglican priests face sanctions as same-sex fight grows”

The Globe & Mail

28 October 2003 : A6

The Student Bible, N.I.V. Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996