CNY Diocese: Letter to the Editor re: congregation leaving the Episcopal Church

Church compassion begins with proper direction
Syracuse Post Standard
May 14, 2008

To the Editor:

I'm writing in response to Mary Mol's May 8 letter, "Church played major role in building gays' closets." In her letter, she states that she felt profoundly disappointed that another church congregation is leaving the Central New York diocese because of its opposition to the church's policy on homosexuality.

As a Christian, I, too, am profoundly disappointed that a church congregation is leaving the CNY diocese. However, as I see it, the congregation that's leaving really didn't have much of a choice if they truly wanted to adhere to the truth of Scripture.

It is quite evident that the Episcopal Church (as well as many others) as a whole, has truly lost its way in the wilderness of today's secular world in regards to the whole issue of homosexuality.

In contrast, I applaud the congregation who had the courage to take the stand they did by choosing to leave the CNY diocese. In my opinion, the congregation didn't leave the church, the church left them when the majority of the church (people) voted to allow homosexuality to spread into the church (i.e. election of Gene Robinson as bishop, etc.).

As for the issue of compassion and exclusion: There are conditions for entering God's kingdom (heaven). In Revelation, Chapter 21, God clearly states a serious warning about the kinds of people who will be excluded from heaven and the sexually immoral (homosexuals/adulterers) are amongst them. Compassion can only begin with love for others.

When you see someone heading for destruction, you should have enough compassion (love) to guide them in the right direction.

Joe Traver
Ministry of Sharing
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