Schisms
In general, I’ve considered organized religion to be a potent poison. It sets up an elitest clique who proclaim that they are better than you and unless you adhere to the ways of their dusty old scriptures you will suffer eternal torment. While I have no problems with silly people believing silly myths as if they were reality, I do have a problem when these silly people try to turn their silly beliefs into silly laws.
How do you break the power of the masses? By breaking the masses. That’s why I’ve been following the whole Episcopal/Anglican series of stories with much greater attention than other religious stories. The Anglican Communion and Episcopalian Church are smaller than some of the other influential religious denominations, but it can, hopefully, provide an example on how to dilute the power and influence of these types of organizations.
In 2003 V. Eugene Robinson, a gay man, was appointed a bishop in the Episcopalian Church. It was a great stride forward for religion in general. It was, of course, not seen this way. Robinson’s elevation to higher office was greeted with derision and outright hatred, particularly by a backward man named Peter Akinola in a backward country called Nigeria. Akinola has wasted no opportunity to call homosexuality a sickness and say that homosexuals are not fit to live. To promote his stupidity, he has taken some of the more conservative parishes and diocese under his wing. This is a good thing. By following Bishop Fred Flintstone, these people may be placing themselves in limbo under their church law. They certainly look ridiculous and this can only blunt their message of hatred. Please Bishop Homo Habilis, enlarge your silly flock!
Personally I can’t wait for the whole shebang to break apart into hundreds or thousands of pieces. The Anglicans are only the starting place. The best thing that could happen to religion is a million Martin Luthers in every denomination, branch, cult, etc… splitting them all into tiny slivers so they can argue theology while the rest of us get along with something important like creating peace on earth.
Amen!