Virginia Churchgoers' Values Made Clear In Episcopal Split

In Virginia, members of Truro Church and The Falls Church voted 92% and 90%, respectively, to place themselves under the leadership of Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria. Under Anglican tradition, Akinola's move into Episcopal territory amounts to an invasion since archbishops agree not to start churches outside the borders of their own region. The parishes together claim more than 4,000 members, with roots they trace back to Colonial times. Four other small Virginia parishes have also left, six more have voted to break away, and two more will decide soon whether to follow suit.

Akinola has called the growing acceptance of same-sex relationships a "satanic attack" on the church. He has also said that such couples should be banned from eating together at restaurants. When given the choice between being accepting of some parishes gay affirming policies, or those with policies that would have gay people banished from public, they chose the latter — by over 90%. This is precisely why religion must be kept out of politics. And why non-discrimination laws are essential. Is it realistic to expect and of these congregants to hire a gay person?

This isn't Iran. Maybe they can get former KKK leader David Duke to be their bishop when he returns from the Holocaust denier conference in Iran. And it's a fair bet that stories like these are why people bristle at the Ten Commandments being in public buildings, crèche scenes in the public square, and being wished "Merry Christmas." Christianity used to have a loving face, but that is being supplanted.

Virginia Bishop Peter Lee, a centrist, said that the votes "have created Nigerian congregations occupying Episcopal churches." A lengthy and expensive legal fight could erupt over the Truro and Falls Church properties, which are worth millions of dollars. "We fully intend to assert the church's canonical and legal rights over these properties," Lee said.

The Episcopal Church, the U.S. wing of the global Anglican Communion, has been under pressure from traditionalists at home and abroad since the 2003 consecration of the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. Most overseas Anglicans believe same-sex relationships violate Scripture and contend liberal interpretations of the Bible are far outside the bounds of mainstream Christian belief. The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the Anglican spiritual leader, has said that the 77 million-member Anglican Communion may have to create a two-tier system of membership, with branches that ordain partnered gays given a lesser status. To the back of the bus with you!

There's a bit of irony to the fact that conservatives from the very cradle of American slavery and exploitation of Africans would join a Nigeria-based church.