In 44 years we have gone from the fear that a Roman Catholic president might take orders from the pope, to a Protestant president who asks the pope to order his bishops to help him get elected. Even as Roman Catholic bishops wield access to Holy Communion as an antigay political weapon, this clergyman asks, “What would Jesus do?”
By Archbishop Bruce J. Simpson, Benedictine Order of St. John the Beloved (an Old Catholic order)
An Advocate.com exclusive posted July 8, 2004
The Pilgrims fled Europe and came to Plymouth to escape the intolerance and hatred of religious persecution. Almost four centuries later a very disturbing trend is taking place in America that is the very antitheses of what this country is supposed to stand for and be about. Religious persecution has once again reared its ugly head.
In recent weeks we have seen the president of the United States ask the head of a worldwide religious organization—the pope, who is also the head of a foreign state—to help him win reelection (actually, it would be his first win for president at the ballot box). That not being enough, this same White House occupant has now asked the largest Protestant denomination in the United States to help him win his first election. These actions have effectively blended church and politics to an unprecedented level in American life.
It’s no oversight that the Roman Catholic and Southern Baptist churches are among the most aggressive opponents of equal rights for gay Americans. The battle cry of this appointed president is “Protect the sanctity of marriage!” George W. Bush has based his election campaign on fear, and a principal fear he’s trying to fan the flames of is that of gay marriage. What else does he have to run on?
Continued:
http://www.advocate.com/html/stories/919/919_communion.asp