Thinking Anglicans

Kendall Harmon wrote “The reason why the report makes schism more likely is because the report is not true and there is no real reconciliation and communion without truth.” I’d have to agree that, from his point of view, schism is more likely. The thing is, I don’t think he ever considered that the Anglican Communion throwing out TEC, which he advocated, is itself schism. I suspect he’s telegraphing that the Global South, or some of the GS or maybe just Nigeria, will walk out of the Communion over this issue. If people decide to “walk apart” then that is… Read more »

ruidh – remember it is TEC’s decision and action in 2003 which Windsor describes as “walking apart” unless TEC accepts ALL the Windsor recommendations.

Some liberals see that the Windsor noose is being tightened around their necks all the time.

Is it such a surprise that Stand Firm doesn’t like this? I mean, the report did not recommend the public flogging of the “rebels” by the “orthodox”. Anything that falls short of a mandated grovelling public apology from TEC will not be acceptable to these people. This is because sin is breaking the Law, and the Law is clearly spelled out, and that’s a good thing, because we need to know what’s Right and Wrong, and to tell everybody else on the planet what’s Right and Wrong because God is on our side. TEC is daring to suggest, not only… Read more »

Here’s what I WISH would happen. The Anglican Church will split, cleanly. No elaborate arrangements involving first and second class status, flying bishops, or complicated administrative arrangements. In the US, real and other property will be split–conservatives will get their buildings, liberals will get theirs and, after a minor population exchange everyone will have a church with which he’s more or less satisfied, with a nice building. Then the liberal Episcopal Church, representing perhaps 85% of the current total, to which I would return if I ever return to the Church, will be able to promote whatever political or moral… Read more »

The “Glass Half Full” analysis is brilliant. It gives me pause, and a greater appreciation for the subtleties of what is actually going on, as well as for the reasons why the GS may be hanging pat with the hand they’ve been dealt for the time being. On the other hand, TEC may end up grumpily realizing that the cards it is holding are not nearly as good as, at first glance, may have been assumed. And, overall, I’m a good deal more appreciative of the nature of the slowly tightening web of AC documentation and decisions that is building… Read more »

After watching this Anglican TV Video News Conference, my heart broke for the Anglican Communion. This is pathetic. The setting; the men with open shirts, no collars; the very un-dignifying setting, the entire set-up; the sub-standard responses to equally sub-standard questions – all this point to the State -of-the-Communion. One of the only few questions worth reporting is the question from a local (Tanzanian) lady who asked what do “we” take to the Anglican parishes as the substantive outcome of all this. Shame on those called to feed and shepherd the flock who are now operating more like some third-rate… Read more »

H. E. Baber,
That is precisely the route we should not take. Without the opposing pull of the “other”, each side will drift off into the extremes of its own position. Thither lies gross error. We need each other to maintain the mean. This painful process is inevitable, but better than going obsessing in our own little doctrinal corners making our own particular issues into dogma, as though God cared about them as much as we do.