Tracy Baim's article on the controversy within the Episcopal Church about newly consecrated bishop Gene Robinson begins with a statement that is not only untrue but libellously untrue:
''God Hates fags.' A significant portion of the Episcopal church agrees with the sentimentsif not the more offensive languageof Rev. Fred Phelps and his followers, who protested the elevation of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson to his new post as Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire Sunday, Nov. 2.'
In fact, conservative Episcopalians have gone to great lengths to repudiate Phelps and his campaign of hatred. ( By the way, Phelps and his followers also picketed the gathering of conservative Episcopalians in Texas last month. )
Every conservative Episcopalian I know, and certainly every one who protested Robinson's consecration, has affirmed this statement from the Lambeth Conference ( a once-a-decade gathering of the world's Anglican bishops ) : 'we commit ourselves to listen to the experience of homosexual people. We wish to assure them that they are loved by God and that all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ.'
So Tracy Baim thinks that assuring gays and lesbians that they are loved by God and full members of the Body of Christ is the same as saying that 'God hates fags'?
A retraction should certainly be forthcoming. Or else Tracy Baim, from her end of the political spectrum, is as guilty of hate speech as Fred Phelps. -- Alan Jacobs
Tracy Baim responds:
Of course you are welcome to your interpretation of how people show support and love. The point was that various people believe gays are not equal to heterosexuals, including those who opposed Robinson, and including the hateful Phelps followers at the ceremony for Robinson.
Some say 'God hates fags' and others simply say they should not be treated equal. In fact, some people are leaving the church rather than worship with a homosexual. In the end, if you do not see gays as truly equal, and do not want them to serve in exactly the same capacities ( Robinson as bishop ) , some people will believe the language you use is merely a nicer way to say the same thinggays are not deserving of the same things as non-gays.
Some people do believe saying 'God hates fags' may just be a more brutal way of putting those sentiments down on a placard.
Yes, some people may say they support gays, but many others are leaving the church, or trying to divide it, rather than accept Robinson. Actions do sometimes speak louder than words.