More from the Episcopalians...

From various and sundry...

"Supporters in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky say Jefferts Schroi's election to the church's top post is a sign that the 221-year old denomination is "embracing equality." ...'I was pleased about the choice, though I know it's going to be trouble,' said Jane Beuteel, of Park Hills...Many of [the ECUSA's] provinces opposed the EC's decision 30 years ago to ordain women priests, and the consecration of an openly gay bishop in 2003...'I think they've lost touch with the mission of the church and with the grassroots,' [Cynthia Burst, spokeswoman for the American Anglican Council] said. 'Your average mom or pop in the pews does not embrace the view of the Bible, Jesus and sexuality as represented by the national convention.'" (hat tip: Cincy Enquirer)

And from the youth side of the convention....(also from Cincy)

"..For these teenagers, gay rights are worth fighting for, and a woman presiding over a major denomination should have happened years ago... 'there have been so many advances in the church with women and with homosexuality, but if they're not open now, we'll just be taking steps backwards,' said 15-year old Kathleen Darger of Crystal Lake, Ill. 'The way we were raised was not be racist or prejudiced against others. But when older people were growing up, it was a lot different for them.'...'Modern times come with modern adaptations,' said 15-year old Brooke Heinichen, of Cincinnati, who spoke during the mock committee meeting.

Whoa! Hold the horses!
Back up here. If this is the way Episcopal teens feel then they better never cross paths with a lot of Catholic teens while they're in town. The Columbus Diocese has a very strong youth contingent that believes strongly in traditional Catholic doctrine, and there are plenty of folks my age who feel the same way. It's not about being ' prejudiced' or 'racist.' I think it's safe to say that none of us are that. That's just not Christian. But at the same time, that doesn't mean, 'Well then do whatever you want! It's all OK!' because that's not what Jesus taught, either.

One of the things that gets me about the whole homosexuality argument is the 'well it's biological so it's OK.' I once defeated this argument to rather dramatic effect in a room full of men (my age, don't worry), by saying, "OK, so I'm a heterosexual female. You are heterosexual men. We were all born this way. So why aren't we all upstairs in some massive group orgy or something?" Needless to say, this shut them up for a bit. :) But levity aside, it's true! You don't see me, or the vast majority of people, just having random sex or engaging in all sorts of urges when we have them. Plenty of things are 'biological' that aren't OK, either morally or physically or socially. It's not about being prejudiced or not. It's about doing what the Bible says, what's actually Christian thought. It's not about being touchy-feely and trying to make everyone happy. That's not our goal. Or if it's the goal of the Episcopal Church, it's not going to exist for another 200 years, let alone the century. I guarantee it.