Disputing Gerson
This letter appeared in today's issues of The Washington Post:
In his May 16 op-ed column, "Missionaries in Northern Virginia," Michael Gerson did Christians in the developing world a disservice by assuming that leaders such as Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria have their best interests at heart.
Mr. Gerson wrote: "A mother holding a child weak with AIDS or hot with malaria, or a family struggling to survive in an endless urban slum, does not need religious platitudes." Yet he failed to mention that Archbishop Akinola and others in his movement would deny that child food, medicine or a mosquito net if it were provided by a donor with whom they differ over theology.
Children die, but the bishops retain their reputation for righteousness among their conservative supporters in the United States. This is an inversion of the Christian ethic. No longer do I sacrifice for others; they sacrifice for me.
Mr. Gerson predicted that this brand of faith is about to sweep the country, but after four highly publicized years of trying, Archbishop Akinola has won the loyalty of only one-third of 1 percent of the parishes in the Episcopal Church, in part because his support for draconian anti-gay legislation in his country has alienated potential allies.
The archbishop's grass-roots support is trifling, but he remains useful to high-profile cheerleaders such as Mr. Gerson who are willing to ignore his egregious views, and their effects on African Christians, in order to gain advantage in the American culture wars.
JIM NAUGHTON
Canon for Communications and Advancement
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Washington
This issue slices to the core of my own moral paralysis - not knowing what to do in the face of this modern struggle within Christianity, I lamely sigh and move on to a less traumatic subject. How can I, and others, 'Stand up, take your bed, and go to your home'? [Matthew 9:6]
Posted by MelAhlborn![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 19, 2007 1:53 PM
As it has been pointed out, here and in other places, struggles such as the current one in the Anglican Communion aren't new. There have always been major issues that threatened to split the church. The early church had significant struggles that were well documented. We have the benefit of those struggles in the Epistles. Perhaps the struggles are necessary.
I have fairly strong opinions about the current crisis facing our church. There are others in my church family who have equally strong opinions that oppose mine. For a brief time I was worried that the conflict would be more than I could handle. What I have learned so far is that Christ expects me to love those who disagree with me, remain prayerful and to stay focused. Learning to love and pray with those that differ from me, removes that sense of "other" and increases the respect between us. Having someone say, "I don't agree with you, but I do love you." is an incredibly powerful experience. Perhaps that is what we are meant to learn?
Posted by Jeff Coulter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 21, 2007 10:35 AM