to be sad that we are not going to get women bishops?

[grovel]

Bugger

roger - I've heard that sort of thing with the rules about pork, or shellfish - it's not healthy to keep pigs in hot climates, and shellfish goes off fast.

I agree, lots of it must be quite practical. And lots of it is just beautiful writing. It's just such a huge patchwork of different things.

grimma - yeah, I can imagine!

Ring social services.

I've got to say, I find possession/demons one of the hardest things to imagine people believing, ever, though I know they did (and people still do).

Just received this email:

The Diocese of Canterbury
The Right Reverend Trevor Willmott
The Old Palace, The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent CT1 1NQ
Telephone: +44 (0)1227 459382. Fax: 784985
Email: [email protected]
www.canterburydiocese.org

Dear Colleagues
The open door?
You will no doubt have heard that the General Synod of the Church of England voted yesterday against the Measure to allow women to be ordained as bishops. Although the Measure was passed in the House of Bishops (44 for, 3 against, 2 abstentions) and the House of Clergy (148 for and 45 against), the vote in the House of Laity (132 for and 74 against) narrowly missed the required 2/3 majority required in each House. In essence, another 6 votes in the House of Laity and the headlines this morning would have been very different.
Many of my fellow bishops have already expressed their deep disappointment at this decision, and many more people across the church and beyond are saddened and confused at the rejection of what seemed to so many to be a reasonable, if imperfect, way forward. Many are doubting their vocation, and even their faith, within a church whose decision making body could now appear so out of touch with both the majority of its members and the wider society it seeks to serve. My heart goes out to all those who are saddened by yesterday?s events and particularly those women whose ministry is such an important, a fundamental part of the life of the church, and who had hoped so dearly to be affirmed in their vocation.
One of the readings set for Holy Communion today, from the Revelation to John, begins?
?I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open!?
I believe that the door to women being bishops is open and cannot now be shut. The clear majority of the Church of England demands it, the people of this country expect it, and I believe that the Holy Spirit yearns for it. There will be women bishops in the Church of England and I hope and pray that the wait will not be a long one.
The vote yesterday was not a ?no? to women bishops, but it was a ?no? to the proposed Measure as it stands. The House of Bishops meets in two weeks? time and will be considering the way forward; I ask for your prayers for me and my colleagues in this work.
In the Diocese of Canterbury, women in ministry are valued and appreciated widely. As Bishop, I have consistently assured those who find the episcopal or priestly ministry of women difficult, that there will be a place for them, which respects their convictions.
My door is open to those who wish to talk to me about this. My thoughts and prayers are with all those across the Diocese who feel the effects of this decision deeply. And I would echo Archbishop Rowan?s words: ?It is still your church. Not mine, not Synod?s, but yours. Your voice matters and will be heard. It?s important not to give up.?
The door is open. We will, and we must, go through it together.
With my prayers and best wishes,
Bishop Trevor
This email has been sent to clergy, Readers, churchwardens, parish officers, Authorised Lay Ministers and head teachers in the Diocese of Canterbury. Please share with your colleagues not on email.

So the bible, unreliable. Leviticus, some sensible bits, some lunacy. Infection control good, stoning for wearing mixed fibers bad. So you find the bits in it that support your view points, whilst jumping through mental hoops to reconcile the god of love with HIV infected babies.

Can someone please explain to me the difference between obeying some bits and not others as compared to just using your brain to decide on a set of rules and behaviors that make the world a better place? I'm not attacking anyone personally but I can't understand why thinking, sane adults can't see the word "bullshit" in twenty foot high flaming letters whenever confronted by religion.

I think it would be great for the CofE to reissue the Bible with just the bits they agree with, and maybe add a bit about gender equality and an up vote for the gays or something. Possibly drop the god bit and get on the communal singing, community building and charity work that actually does some good.

I'll shut up now, I feel bad for contributing to derailment of this thread away from the original point.

YABU to be just 'sad'. I'm seething.
Couldn't care less what churches want to do amongst themselves but they should not be exempt from the law of the land.

Maybe now we can finally get the Cof E out of our schools and legislative bodies though.

Have not read thread so sorry if I'm repeat linking but petition Here seems like a good start.

'Can someone please explain to me the difference between obeying some bits and not others as compared to just using your brain to decide on a set of rules and behaviors that make the world a better place?'

Why should there be a difference?

I suspect that rather than it being a vote against women bishops it was an expression of anger by many of the laity at Rowan Williams and his leadership of the church and a final outgoing 'bloody nose' personally aimed at him rather than anything specific to do with women bishops.

I reckon if the next chap is a more popular Archbishop he will have no problem getting it through. It's Rowan Williams unpopularity which has caused this.

BB - if that was the motivation (I've no idea) that would be all the more shameful. Responsible organisations don't make decisions out of pique.

but I can't understand why thinking, sane adults can't see the word "bullshit" in twenty foot high flaming letters whenever confronted by religion

I am 120% with you here.

The bible is a "book of stories" You only have to look at what tribesmen still do in some parts today, they tell stories.

Those who believe the bible stories are mighty powerful though. They keep us in line by letting us know exactly which taxpayer-funded schools our children are entitled to attend in our local area. I suppose we should count ourselves lucky they let women be teachers.

Another great post House. What power huh.

oh thank you

But it's an effective strategy by the church, in some areas, anyway - grab the middle classes by the balls by holding their kids' education to ransom.

That and a lot more besides

Religion is based on control always has been always will be and guess what, women should still know their place. We are allowed to go so far to shut us up don't you know.

It's the worst form of a "gentlemans club" I've ever come across.

Except that on this occasion the gentlemen already in the club - the bishops - voted overwhelmingly to let women in. It's a bit more complicated than you're suggesting.

I'd say that the bishops had a firmer grip on the PR implications than a dedication to sexual equality, but maybe that's just me being cynical.

I'd even go so far as thinking that letter is a crock of shite.

When are you going to realise poor that it's an "Establishment" run by men for men totally dressed up in finery and pomp. Everything about religion stinks of inequality for women.

whilst im on a roll here the "church" is a very rich establishment that owns so much property in England it's laughable yet it/they profess to help the poor? come on now, how damn hypocritcal is that?

One more thing. Everytime I pass a church I laugh when there's a sign out there saying "help us fix our roof" In my head I say "fix your own damn roof"

and breath phoenix breath

and I believe that the Holy Spirit yearns for it.

That's quite an interesting point, as the Holy spirit, called the Shekinah, is female in Jewish and Qabbalastic system.

Yes yabu, you should be absolutely livid, not just sad.

I'm not religious but also fuming at this decision and feel really sorry for the people who have campaigned in favour of this. Back to the middle ages we go? What is hilariously ironic is that the Head of the C of E is in fact, a woman!