(...) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida Episcopalians, many of whom are opposed to the naming of a gay bishop, will consider a resolution this week on whether the diocese should join a new nationwide organization that plans to fight the Episcopal Church over the issue. (...) The Network vows to fight Episcopal Church actions it says "departed from the historic faith and order and have brought immense harm" with the ordination of openly gay bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. (...) Another resolution, opposed by the bishop, calls for changing the articles of re-incorporation so that Diocese of Florida is not affiliated with the national body of the church. Jim Hampton, a lay person with the Church of the Holy Spirit in Tallahassee, introduced the resolution and sees it as a way to show those upset with the ordination of Robinson that the church is taking action. It would take votes in two conventions to implement it. "A tremendous amount of people have left the church and more will leave if this resolution is not passed," he said. "Either follow God or follow the world," Hampton said. Church officials, however, said it would upset the hierarchy of the church structure.
These are interesting issues to think about. The current movement is seen critically by many people - especially the issue of gay marriage, which means redefining an age-old institution - however, an interesting side effect is that it forces people to think - "How do I feel about gays?" Personally I think it's very much worth it to explore this point further for oneself, beyond the statement - "it's against the bible."
