NEW YORK -- The theologically conservative Diocese of Fort Worth voted Saturday to split from the liberal-leaning Episcopal Church, the fourth traditional diocese to do so in a long-running debate over the Bible, gay relationships and other issues. About 80 percent of clergy and parishioners in the Texas diocese supported the break in a series of votes at a diocesan convention. The Steering Committee North Texas Episcopalians, an umbrella group for those who want to stay with the denomination, plans to reorganize the diocese. They promised that "the Episcopal Church's work of Christian ministry and evangelization will go forward" in the region. A lengthy, expensive legal battle is expected over who owns Episcopal property and funds. The Fort Worth diocese oversees more than 50 parishes and missions serving about 19,000 people. The Steering Committee estimates that at least five parishes and hundreds of other churchgoers will remain with the New York-based national church. The other seceding dioceses are Pittsburgh; Quincy, Ill.; and San Joaquin, based in Fresno, Calif., where a legal fight over assets is already under way. National church leaders are helping local parishioners reorganize each diocese.
Somewhere, Madalyn Murray O'Hair is laughing in her beer. When Christians begin arguing and going their separate ways over who's flavor of favorite imaginary friend tastes best...well, I find it difficult not to consider the possibility that atheism just might be the most reasonable option available to a thinking individual. After all, isn't theology really the study of the various and assorted methods with which one can debate and alienate others over the true meaning of Scripture?
Having been raised Lutheran and having taught at an Episcopal high school, I have my own twisted perspective on this argument. From where I sit, this sort of divisiveness has absolutely nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ. It has everything to do with who gets to decide and control what people believe and the rituals they're allowed to observe as they worship their version of God. It's silly, it's pointless...and it's oh, so typical of modern Christianity. Whether you're Episcopalian, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Catholic, or whatever label you happen to attach to yourself, you still allegedly worship the same God. I may have been raised Lutheran, but I'm pretty certain that God's not Lutheran...or Catholic...or any other denomination, for that matter. These are all artificial constructs set up by men over time that have precious little to do with Christianity. Over time, they've all become so artificial as to be meaningless.
I'm not saying that Christianity is pointless, but whatever happened to following the teachings of Jesus Christ? It's not as if they're any great mystery; all you have to do is to crack open the New Testament in your King James Bible and there they are, right in front of you. I suppose if you're incapable of understanding Christ's teachings, you probably need someone who spend x number of year in Divinity School to translate them for you. If that's the case, you've got bigger issues than anything an ordained minister can help you with.
I think it's about time that Jesus (if He in fact exists) went through the Temple turning over tables again. Somewhere along the way, those who worship Him have managed to forget what He and His teachings are about.
