Tuesday, February 12, 2008

If You Made This Up. . .

Archbishop of Canterbury's Rowan Williams has caused quite a stir by suggesting that Great Britain should observe sharia law as equal to and/or parallel to British. But, of course, if you're Episcopal these days, even outrageous and damaging nonsense coming from Williams is not a surprise.

However, in Los Angeles, the inmates have also taken over the asylum. To whit, a statement made by the Bishop of that Diocese and reported happily on Indian blogs:

Episcopal Christians Apologize to Hindus

India Abroad, Posted: Feb 10, 2008

LOS ANGELES - The Bishop of the Epsicopal diocese of Los Angeles has issued an apology to Hindus worldwide for what he called "centuries-old acts of religious discrimination by Christians, including attempts to convert them" reports India Abroad. The apology was given in a statement read to over 100 Hindu spiritual leaders at a mass from Right Reverend J John Bruno. The ceremony started with a Hindu priestess blowing a conch shell three times and included sacred chants.

This meeting was the result of a dialogue, started three years ago, between Hindu leaders and Rev. Karen MacQueen, who was deeply influenced by Hindu Vedanta philosophy and opposes cultivating conversions. "There are enough Christians in the world," she said. "What we need to see is more Christians leading an exemplary life and truly loving their fellow man." However the apology has triggered considerable debate among pastors across the US.


I wonder what they are debating:
  • If they've fallen down the rabbit hole with Alice?
  • If the Bishop of Los Angeles should get a medal or be tarred and feathered?
  • If it's possible to send both Bishop Bruno and the Rev. MacQueen to Canterbury where they can comfortably debate sharia law?
  • When the Rev. MacQueen will suggest that Christians be persecuted for attempting to convert Hindus?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd like to know how the Archbishop of Canterbury intends to reconcile the differences between sharia law and common law. The latter should be considered "sacred" to anyone who values individual rights built on precedent. Sharia law, from what I understand, places no similar value in the individual or precedent.

Babbie said...

Believe me, they're wondering the same in Britain!

Anonymous said...

Speaking of wondering...

If an out of town visitor had attended the public testimony at the Feb 13th Seattle School Board meeting, I feel certain they would have asked: are the people who run this school district employees or volunteers?

No they would not just be asking about the board members but about the Superintendent and the Senior staff. Judging by the quality of results and consistent level of both deception and confusion no one should be getting paid, until some honesty and responsiblity surfaces. For afterall these folks are all about "accountability" or so they say.

Charleston count your blessings because things could be worse. Believe me - I know Seattle.

Does the Broad Foundation offer guarantees or retraining for their defective products??

I believe a recall notice is in order.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, and unlike Seattle and other communities on the west coast, we have no legal provision for a "recall" of our public officials. It becomes a process of attrition to see who is worn down first. That's not good governance.