church votes, no gays

As expected, a group of Virginia episcopal churches have voted to leave the US Episcopal church to associate themselves with the Episcopal Church of Nigeria. The head of that church, Archbishop Peter Akinola, supports laws that would criminalize gay sex. That is much more in the liking of these Virginia churches, who are unhappy that they have a gay bishop.

Two quotes from church members caught my eye. One church member said, "... the issue is: Are we going to follow Scripture?"

Aah. "Follow Scripture?" I guess they aren't following the bits of Christ's teachings about tolerance.

Another church member said, "I want to do what's right in the Lord's eyes. It's kind of embarrassing when you tell people that you're Episcopal."

Embarrassing? Less embarrassing than rejecting an entire church because it promoted a gay person, instead embracing a gay-bashing Nigerian version of the church whose leader supports jailing gays? Indeed.

Although I find it ironic that in their homophobic rush to avoid having to associate with a poofter biship, these (overwhelmingly white) Virginians have embraced a NIGERIAN church. I guess there could be something hopeful there -- racism in places like Virginia has receded to the point that it is OK to associate with African archbishops, if they are sufficiently homophobic.