Letter to the editor of the Albany Times Union:
Institute on Religion and Democracy says Episcopals should welcome all
First published: Monday, March 20, 2006

In his "Gospel of intolerance," written for The Washington Post and reprinted in the Times Union, Episcopal Bishop John Chane chastised Anglican primate of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, for supporting legislation criminalizing same-sex marriage in his country.

He specifically cited the Institute on Religion and Democracy for sponsoring "so-called 'renewal' movements that fight the inclusion of gays and lesbians" within the churches.

As a staff member of IRD, I'd like to set things straight: Wrong. IRD believes the church should welcome all people. At issue is what the church teaches. Chane advocates a deconstruction of traditional mores so as to affirm gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, omnigender, and other manifestations of broken sexuality.

But the church for 2000 years has taught that sex is set apart for marriage. It also teaches that God can come into the brokenness of our lives and transform us. Most of the Anglican Primates, and orthodox Episcopal bishops, such as those you are fortunate enough to have in Albany, are rooted in this liberating truth. The rest