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[size=+2]The tyranny of tolerance[/size][/size]
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By Uwe Siemon-Netto[/size]
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UPI Religion Editor [/size]
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Thursday, November 6, 2003[/size]
WASHINGTON When 2,500 worshipers cheered at the consecration of V. Gene Robinson as Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, what were they so jubilant about? Was it because the elevation of an adulterer and open homosexual to the office of bishop is causing a rupture within the Anglican Communion?
No, they welcomed a new theology. It is no longer based on Scripture but on post-modernity's premier secular virtue "tolerance." Of course, Scripture, and especially the New Testament, is crystal clear in its opposition to prejudice. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus," writes the apostle Paul (Galatians 3:28).
But the Bible both Testaments sets standards of moral behavior. Bishop Robinson violated these standards on two counts adultery and homosexuality. According to the teachings of the 2,000-year-old Christian Church, this makes him one of us a sinner. Therefore, Christ's word applies to him as to any other sinner: "Judge not lest you be judged" (Matthew 7:1).
Some rigid denominations shun unrepentant sinners. But this is not very satisfactory because it smacks of self-righteousness. For Scripture makes it obvious that there is nobody without sin. Furthermore: How do I know that the adulterer or homosexual kneeling next to me at Holy Communion is not remorseful? And who can tell what dirty thoughts are in the minds of the apparent paragon of piety kneeling on my other side? Therefore to commune with both is the right thing to do. We can't look into their hearts. Only God can. That's sufficient.
That said, most people with unBiblical sexual inclinations don't strive to become bishops, overseers of the Church, pastors of pastors, models to the Christian community and especially the young. Most want to keep private things private, again like the rest of us.