My uncle, an Episcopal priest, wrote an article

[elshiva]

defending his blessings of gay unions in his local paper. He sees a lot of love and commitment in these couples, he writes, more than straights. He lives in Randolph, VT which is rural Vermont. I am very proud of him. I think he's only married lesbians so far, but he said he has nothing against gay men or anything, that's just how it's been so far.

[RevCheesehead]

1. That's so wonderful.

I hope that someday, I will be permitted to do such blessings, unions, or weddings. Alas, my hands are tied.

Kudos to your uncle. You must be very proud of him.

[elshiva]

2. Are you an Episcopal priest?

I guessed you were a pro-gay pastor from your screen name and Spongebob.

I am so proud of all clergy who speak out for gay rights. People still listen to religious leaders. It is great to hear pastors use the pulpit for weightier things than outing cartoon characters.

[RevCheesehead]

3. United Methodist.

Step-child of Anglicanism. I believe I am ordained in apostolic succession, through John Wesley. :)

BTW - I defended SpongeBob in church, in two separate sermons. I told them that it's stuff like this that makes people disgusted with the church, and keeps them from coming. I also told them it is our responsibility to speak out and call it for what it is.

[elshiva]

4. SpongeBob is alright, but I don't get cable so I don't see him.

Thanks for defending Bob!

Dubya is a United Methodist. Doesn't that scare you? It scares me he was an Episcopalian and his parents still are Episcopalians.

I believe all Christian Churches have apostolic succession. Proud to be a pluralist. I am half Jewish, too.

[RevCheesehead]

5. I hate that dubya is UM - but in name only.

The guy never goes to church, unless it's politically expedient.

Do you know there's a petition against Bush and Cheney? It's calling for their removal, since they are in violation of the church's social principles. See this link:

http://www.petitiononline.com/tmrloc03/petition.html

[elshiva]

6. I wish I could sign it, but I am not a UM.

What I didn't like was that there was so many articles on Dubya's religion and close to zilch on Kerry's religious beliefs during the campaign! I hate how they paint the left as faithless especially when Kerry is a good Catholic.

[RevCheesehead]

7. You can sign it and post comments supportive to the petition.

I have no idea where they are with this thing, because it goes back to way before the election.

You're right about the media. They're clueless.

[elshiva]

8. I signed it. Thank you!

The media is totally clueless when it comes to liberal Christians. Why, for example, was the media so surprised by Kerry quoting the Bible in the third debate?

[RevCheesehead]

9. Because then they'd have to take Christianity seriously.

It's one thing to be dismissive of fundies. It's another to meet real, progressive-values Christians who take their faith seriously. The media, and most politicians, have failed to realize that.

[elshiva]

10. Yes. That's why I loved Edwards' VP acceptance speech

wherein he tied in the commandment to honor your parents with health care. That is serious religious work.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. No, not all churches have apostolic succession

Among the Lutherans, only the Church of Sweden does.

[elshiva]

12. Thank you for the clarification.

What I really meant to say is that all of the recognized churches are true churches.