As men and women who have
experienced same-sex attraction in our own lives and who still strive
to live chastely in accordance with traditional Christian teaching, the
members of Zacchaeus Fellowship are gravely concerned by the motions
before Synod that would bless and affirm same-sex unions.
Contrary to what is implicitly suggested by the recent
direction of our Anglican Church of Canada, not all persons with
same-sex attractions want these attractions affirmed. We are especially
concerned for those whom we describe as “silent sufferers” in the pews.
These are the many individuals who adhere to the traditional Christian
teaching on sexuality and wish for the church neither to condemn them
as persons nor to encourage them to act on those same-sex attractions.
To approve Resolution A186 or A187 would pull the rug out from under
such people.
Please be warned that the current controversy is not
simply about inclusion of those who are in same-sex unions. While we
concur with the consensus to include all persons in our church, we
believe a misperception has arisen, namely, that accepting persons of homosexual orientation
must lead to the accepting of same-sex unions/marriages. In fact, no
one is excluded from our church because of sexual orientation; the rite
of baptism includes us all.
Recently the Reverend Canon Michael Patterson, director
of evangelism in the Diocese of Niagara, was quoted in the Toronto Star (June 2, 2007) as
indicating that same-sex marriage is the law of the land and that the
church needs to accept that reality or risk becoming irrelevant. He
also said, “We need to be the face of the church in the world, and I
fear that we are losing that opportunity.”
In fact, to be the face of the church in the world, we
need to be proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and his
transforming power in people’s lives. The church should focus on what
God accomplishes through the person of Christ and not let secular law
dictate church discipline. While same-sex marriage is the law of the
land, it is contrary to Scripture, Tradition, and good solid Christian
reason.
In Romans 12:2, Paul said, “Do not be conformed to this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you
may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and
perfect.” Jesus was counter-cultural. He proclaimed God’s will and
God’s ways, even if contrary to worldly views or practices.
By conforming to the world, the church risks becoming
truly irrelevant in our world, because then it would be no different
from the world and would have nothing to offer those who are seeking!
We understand how powerfully appealing it can be for
loving and well-meaning people to see themselves in the role of
defender of an underdog, especially one perceived to be unfairly
maligned. But we also consider it necessary to ask if you are aware of
the gay activist handbook After the
Ball, published in 1989. It shamelessly describes
manipulative
tactics such as its Principle 6, “Give Potential Protectors a Just
Cause,” which recommends “casting gays as society’s victims and
inviting straights to be their protectors.” It explains, “For this to
work, however, we must make it easier for responsive straights to
assert and explain their new protective feelings. Few straight women,
and fewer straight men, will be bold enough to defend homosexuality per
se. Most would rather attach their awakened protective impulse to some
principle of justice or law, some general desire for consistent and
fair treatment in society” (p.187).
The apostle Jude warned against “malcontents” who
indulge their own lusts; “they are bombastic in speech, flattering
people to their own advantage.” Many of us in the Zacchaeus Fellowship
were gay activists and played that card ourselves in our unreformed
lives. So while we do not question the sincerity of the compassion that
many have expressed towards our brothers and sisters who openly espouse
gay or lesbian lifestyles, we urge extreme caution, lest legitimate
sympathy distort the interpretation of Scripture as properly grounded
in the tradition and history of the Anglican Church.
We urge you, as the delegates voting on this matter, to
weigh the evidence very carefully and prayerfully before making a
decision that will affect the whole church.
In the name of Jesus crucified and risen,
The Rev’d C. Dawn McDonald, Chair of the Zacchaeus Fellowship,
priest in the Diocese of Yukon
The Rev’d Dr. Don Alcock, Vice Chair of the Zacchaeus Fellowship,
priest in the Diocese of Huron
On behalf of the Zacchaeus Fellowship