tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931579729864611467.post4739687002944030113..comments2023-10-31T05:37:16.659-07:00Comments on A Guy in the Pew: Father Dan Martins on Demonizing the EnemyChuck Blanchardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01417638725063186710noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931579729864611467.post-43350832082990778262008-03-15T09:21:00.000-07:002008-03-15T09:21:00.000-07:00Thank you Chuck. As you might guess this is an imp...Thank you Chuck. <BR/>As you might guess this is an important issue to me. I still believe that there will be little chance of compromise when one side believes they have God on their side. Of course they conveniently ignore other Biblical instructions like Exodus 35:2. They have chosen the issues that agree with their primitive green monkey syndrome thinking. <BR/><BR/>Those saintly figures in our history like Saint Francis, Jesus, Buddha, and Ghandi certainly had a clear message about how we should treat each other. <BR/><BR/>When I hear Hagee preach over television that homosexuals are a greater threat to America than terrorists or Islamic fascists, I feel depressed. I will never live to see that end of an era that believes that hate in the name of Jesus is really cool. <BR/><BR/>I am 65 now and have been with the person I love since I was 14. We will continue to be the object of hate and institutionalized prejudice just for existing on this planet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931579729864611467.post-10453429662395077052008-03-12T09:11:00.000-07:002008-03-12T09:11:00.000-07:00Michael:Yes, I think the decision not to include G...Michael:<BR/><BR/>Yes, I think the decision not to include Gene Robinson was unfair and yes an outrage. The issue here is not that, but how we respond. To me, the guide is Christ--we love our enemies and have faith that our witness to the truth will change minds and hearts.<BR/><BR/>Reconciliation is not giving up on principles. Instead, it is keeping the dialogue going. And on this issue, change IS possible. I have seen a change of heart on this issue in my own family and church. Openly gay and lesbian priests were unknown a generation ago, but are now accepted by the majority in the Episcopal Church. The Lutheran church is on the verge of making the same change. We have seen in our own lifetimes tremendous change on views of same sex relationships.<BR/><BR/>But this dialogue, and the opportunity for conversion, is lost if we call our opponents names that cause them to stop listening.<BR/><BR/>I think more than bigotry is at issue here. There are many good people who have a view of scripture that does not allow them to get past the statements of Paul about same sex relationships. We have answers--see Tobias Haller's great series as well as the work of Timothy Luke Johnson--but we won't get very far by assuming that redemption and conversion are impossible.Chuck Blanchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01417638725063186710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931579729864611467.post-19402714699513225232008-03-11T21:52:00.000-07:002008-03-11T21:52:00.000-07:00I just read that Bishop Gene Robinson has been de...I just read that Bishop Gene Robinson has been denied permission to participate in the once-a-decade gathering in England, called the Lambeth Conference. <BR/><BR/>The spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, didn't invite Robinson to Lambeth, partly to appease theological conservatives. <BR/><BR/>One more victory for the "green monkey sydrome". It sure looks to me like the monkeys have won. <BR/><BR/>Chuck, do you really believe this behavior deserves conciliation and understanding or perhaps outrage? Come on Chuck, step up to the plate and tell me that Rowan's decision was fair or an outrage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931579729864611467.post-58975074966129149302008-03-11T21:34:00.000-07:002008-03-11T21:34:00.000-07:00I think that reconciliation on this issue and othe...I think that reconciliation on this issue and other hot button issues is very unlikely. <BR/><BR/>Myself being pro choice can understand the motivation of those who oppose abortion for anyone. <BR/><BR/>However, I cannot find any rational reason to oppose gay marriage, or for that matter just being a homosexual. <BR/><BR/>This opposition and sometimes hatred of homosexuals is simply a clear example of the "green monkey syndrome". <BR/><BR/>This syndrome was first described by zoologists who took a well adjusted young male monkey from an island in a zoo and dyed his hair bright green. They put him back on the island to see what would happen. The experiment had to be discontinued because the green monkey was being seriously abused and his life was in danger. <BR/><BR/>This primitive instinct no longer serves a modern society. It is very sad to me that this instinct has been canonized by so many.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com