May 11, 1996 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - South Africa Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote the foreword to a collection of "Christian" liturgies for homosexuals which was published in April. The confused bishop warns that rejecting homosexuals is "nearly the ultimate blasphemy." He rails against Christians who "demand that homosexuals remain celibate."

The book, We Were Baptized Too, written by two American Methodists, contains liturgies for "lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals." That just about covers all of the bases! It includes a "celebration of coming out." One prayer reads, "We are no longer a people of the closet but a people of parades, rainbows and quilts, called to lead your church in march for liberation."

Friends, this is unscriptural. To be liberated to be homosexual is to be liberated from biblical righteousness. To be liberated to be homosexual is akin to being liberated to be a fornicator or a drunkard. These are all sins that are condemned in the Word of God. Those who come to Christ are saved from such sins and are given new life in Christ to live righteously and to turn away from their former sinful ways. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

According to an article by Jonathan Petre of the London Sunday Telegraph, printed in the Washington Times, April 25, 1996, "Officially, the [Anglican] church's position is that homosexual sex 'falls short of the Christian ideal' and demands repentance. But a 1991 House of Bishops report suggests that faithful homosexual partnerships could be acceptable among the laity, if not the clergy." The same article said another Anglican bishop, John Gladwin, is scheduled to preach at the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement's 20th anniversary celebrations in November. A spokesman for the General Synod, though, said the bishop's decision was personal and no reflection on the thinking of the House of Bishops.

This reminds us that the average leader in mainline denominations today, and even in a great many "evangelical" churches, is, above all things, a religious politician. "Unity in diversity" is a high-sounding philosophy which attempts to cover the shame of church leaders who are afraid to stand uncompromisingly for the Truth and to oppose error. The religious politician is adept at speaking out of both sides of the mouth at the same time, at facing two ways at once. He does not want to rustle any feathers. Many find this very confusing, and it is! It is difficult to walk in two directions at once, but many church leaders are masters at it. For example, one man recently told this Editor that his pastor was not supporting Promise Keepers. At the same time, there are many point men for Promise Keepers in that very church! That is a strange sort way not to support something! This pastor is a Mr. Facing-Two-Ways. Beware of such men. They are not faithful shepherds.