From: lcrew@andromeda.rutgers.edu (Louie Crew)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Subject: Re: Spong
Date: 8 Sep 92 04:09:22 GMT
Reply-To: <lcrew@andromeda.rutgers.edu>
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

LHARANGO@OWUCOMCN.BITNET (Lauren H. Arango) writes:


>In fact, Bishop Spong even provides the fodder for some jokes.  Case in
>point:  I recently became engaged, and after announcing my engagement to
>my fellow choir members, one person came up to me, chuckling.  He admitted
>that all this time he thought that my fiance was my brother!  As we were
>chuckling, someone else (who had overheard) leaned over and said, "Marrying
>her brother?  No problem.... we'll just get Bishop Spong up here to do
>the ceremony!"
>                                                God's peace,
>                                                Lauren

Lauren, according to the Prayer Book, you should abstain from communion
until you are again in love and charity with your neighbor Bishop Spong.
It is one thing to disagree with him, but quite another to hold him up to
crude ridicule on terms that he has done nothing whatsoever to deserve.
Not one single word of his supports incest.  Nor for that matter does he
support other forms of licentiousness that your remark implies.  He speaks
out frequently against impersonal and promiscuous sexuality, strait and gay
alike.  

Look at his own life.  His wife was a mental patient for many years before
her death.  Did he put her away and seek fresher, healthier fair, as many
conservative bishops in our Church are wont to do?  No, he lived alone 
and remained faithful till death parted them.  Does that sound like the
prodigal whom you describe?

No, for that I could point you to several more 'orthodox' bishops, one of 
whom annulled his marriage of more than two decades, thereby disowning not 
only his wife but their several offspring.  This is a man who weekly, yea
daily, rants and raves about Bishop Spong.   Three weeks ago I went to the 
wedding of a much respected and venerable bishop who was marrying for the
third time..... with both other wives still alive and well.   At least this
man had the Integrity not to go around throwing rocks at others, and we 
pray that this time love will outlast infatuation. 

If you did not know that about Bishop Spong's extremely conservative personal
life style, you might ask yourself why you did not.

Might it be that people who cannot debate him with his own respect and 
knowledge of the Lord of Scriptures find it necessary to stoop to cheap
personal attacks like yours?  

You close with 'God's Peace' but clearly take God's name in vain here.
God's Peace is not party to brutal and degrading mockery.

Bishop Spong has dined and will dine again at my table.  I hope you will 
too.

You are capable of far more character than you have demonstrated here.

And while I am a staunch Episcopalian myself, I urge you not to waste one
moment worrying about our Church's reputation.   Salvation is the only
thing that counts, and it doesn't abide at any exclusive address.
It has always been much harder to be an Anglican In Good Standing than it
is to enter the Queandom of Heaven.  Jesus said all anyone needs to hear
about Reputation and Respectability at Calvary.   Kneel there with my
beloved bishop and me, and you want care much about Respectability 
either.

Louie/Quean Lutibelle

-- 
  ==========================================================================
  Louie Crew, Assoc. Prof., Academic Foundations Dept., Rutgers U./NWK 07102
  lcrew@andromeda.rutgers.edu                                   201-485-4503
                    Heteroprivilege is against New Jersey law!
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