I generally try to avoid controversy, for two reasons.
a) I got involved in a heated church controversy in my early days as a blogger, and the hatred and vituperation which came my way affected my sleep and my emotional health. It convinced me that I do not have the stomach for controversy.
b) and most importantly, as Brennan Manning says, “Many of the burning theological issues in the church today are neither burning nor theological.”
People are free to believe what they wish; they will, anyway, whatever you or I say. And Christ will sort out and correct our thinking, in this life or the next.
People are free to believe what they wish; they will, anyway, whatever you or I say. And Christ will sort out and correct our thinking, in this life or the next.
* * *
However, I tried to sort out my thoughts on an issue in the news: Celebrating Civil Partnerships in churches, which is legal in Britain from today.
Here’s my attempt. Roy says I could have done better. Essentially, what I was trying to say was who am I, and who are you, to refuse to ask God to bless another individual.
Well: more flak than I’ve ever received from anything except in my early days of blogging. Here are a few tweet and DMs.
Gay stuff is the way to tear apart families and christianity. Has nothing to do with your ‘tolerancy’.
“The spread of an anti-family ideology and the abasement of sexual morality appear interconnected.”
In a healthy society the Christian family reflects the splendor of Christ. In dedication to one another, raising children.
“Family” is not a gay ‘relation’. Church acknowledges marriage between man and woman. People like you are very dangerous.
* * *
Well, a good reminder of why I try to stay out of controversy: The burning theological issues of our day are neither burning, nor theological.
I am not going to waste time, anger or emotion over controversy, nor get annoyed with my opponents.
At the end of the day, all those who love Christ, all those who follow him, or who want to, are on the same side. Whether they are conservative or liberal, Catholic or Protestant, straight or gay.
Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!
Read my new memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India (US) or UK.
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Carol says
AMEN my sister.
Keep us thinking!
Carol