Severing ties  | Poll Results | Advocate.com

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Results for the following question: Does it matter if the Anglican Communion severs ties with the Episcopal Church?

Yes
 25.3%

No
 63.7%

Undecided
 11%

Total Votes: 562

Comments:
These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

Bill Wood
For the average Episcopalian (like myself) the Anglican Communion has little if any impact on the life of local parishes. However, the presence of the Episcopal Church in the Communion offers a voice of moderation and reason within an otherwise largely homophobic assembly. Our presence offers hope to many gay and lesbian Anglicans in Africa and Asia where they are persecuted by their churches.

John H. Neu
It means that a lot of the southern hemisphere Anglican churches aren't going to be able to reach into the pocketbooks of northern hemisphere Episcopal churches for their maintenance and support. It will also confirm (As if it were needed!) the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy and laity in the "righteousness" of their inflexibility with respect to the role of gays in the RCC. "See, that's what could happen if we became more accepting!" So, it does matter. On the other hand, as Steve Allen once said, "reiligion is plain silliness!"

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Ziggy
I think it would be the best thing they could do. The American sect and the African sect have been evolving apart for a long time. What many forget is that it is the American groups that have all the power, by which I mean all the money. We fund 70% of the African dioces(sp?) budgets. Cut them off, and maybe they will come around, but I doubt it. Cut the ties and go seperate ways happily.

Anonymous
There is a clear separation within the Anglican Communion between a fundamentalist or literalist side and a progressive side. If a severance occurs, I think there may be more separation as not all members of the Anglican Communion agree with one another, even outside the Episcopal Church in the US.

Spearman
I really could care less what the Church does about anything, anywhere, PERIOD. The whole gay "tip-toeing" around religion, begging for acceptance from the Church, etc. is absolutely pathetic. As Christopher Hitchens' book title reads, "God Is Not Great...Religion Poisons Everything." Can we all just stop talking to imaginary friends and accept reality and the natural concept of sex and sexuality and get on with f**king life, already?

Anonymous
The Episcopal Church will be better able to minister to all people once unshackeled from the conservatives.

Anonymous
Who gives a shit?

Anonymous
Doesn't matter as it's just another Cult of the Fairytale Sky Commander. To think some people will worship some ludicrous masochistic character named "God" and a few schizophrenics out of some five thousand year old children's book. Bah. Please stop covering this nonsense.

David K Moyer
As a practicing Episcopalian and gay man we are taught that ALL are welcome in God's house and all means all, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, black, white, male, female those in the midst of sexual reassignment, young old, etc etc etc and to break away because you don't believe that God can love you unconditionally shows that you don't believe what God believes.

Brian Moore
As with the Rmann Catholic Church, it would be good to have a break! An American Catholic Church, for example, could move beyond the blunders of Rome and concentrate on what really matters! Words like "collegiality" would suddenly have meaning and we would have a Church of the People!

Michael
Not only do I think it doesn't matter, but I think it will happen. I also would not be surprised to see a split occur in the ELCA over the gay issue.

Anonymous
While this is a significant event I don't think it really matters. In todays society each denomination has their own identity so what diffenece will it make?

Matthew
It's Religion, who cares? God hates Fags and Fags should hate God. GLBT people MUST throw off the repressive shackles of insane religion. All religion is inherently psychotic and inherently opposed to freedom of mind and action.

George Yeckel
I don't care what they do. If they are so narrow minded and backwards as to let this issue split them, then let them go ahead and split. Of course I can say that because I don't believe anything they espouse anyway. it's a religion, and religion is one of the most devisive, oppressive, and violent organisms the human race has experienced.

Rob B.
I don't think it matters at all. Those of us who seek after, or have, true faith are all faithful servants of the same Ground of Being whatever the persona of our beliefs. These days it is far more common for people of different faiths to work together in multi-faith projects of all kinds and respect each others faith in doing so. So, Anglican, Episcopal; let each do their own thing and work together on issues that affect all of us.

Richard Mosher
Number one I really don't think it will happen. The American Episcopal Church brings in the Largest share of funds which the Church needs to continue offering it's services and for Growth. As much as I hate to say it: Money talks so why would they cut your nose off to spite your face. All Churches need to grow and that take new members and members who love everyone. Why do some people need to condemn another group just to feel like they can be saved. That's not LOVE

Rich
In reality, ties have already been severed, just not formally acknowledged. Remember Luther and the Reformation? The real loss will be for gay Nigerians for whom the worldwide Communion provides a more balanced perspective and influence.

Anonymous
Homophobes arent real Christians anyway---good riddance.

Anonymous
As long as the Anglican union stays resonably whole there is a chance of the Western churches temporing anti-gay attitudes in the communion as a whole. Still, I'd perfer a splintered church to the western churches caving to sexist and homophobic pressures

brian -columbus, oh
They should all split. The less power and feelings of superiority the better a human being is toward his fellow man.

Kevin of Santa Monica
I wish the break had come years ago. Now, if the Roman Catholics in this country who really don't care about the Pope's beliefs would come to their senses and start forming American Catholic Churches, I would really be ready to celebrate.

Anonymous
I think it's about time that big religion realizes that their non-acceptance of specific individuals or groups of individuals will cost them members. I applaud them for breaking free and hope their church flourishes while the main church withers away.

Lindsay Williams
I have been attending Episcopal services for 37 years and have been a member formally for 22 years. It is my opinion that the Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA)is slowly but surely doing the right thing for its LGBTQ members in making itself a denomination that truly and completely "welcomes you". It is also my opinion that, were it not for the-ball-and chain reality of its relationship with the worldwide Anglican Communion, the ECUSA would by now have become fully welcoming of its LGBTQ members . So, I say,goodriddance to the lot of them!!

Joe
If the Anglican Communion severs ties with the Episcopal Church, it will be a classic case of cutting your nose to spite your face.

Stan Jakiel
Does it matter? NO it doesn't. The time has come for people to understand that organized religion is nothing more than a 'business' and in the end the bottom line of any religious organization, as with any business, is nothing more than a 'numbers' game. The more members, 'numbers' , the more dollars to push their own personal beliefs and/or agenda. It is apparent that members of the Anglican Communion and Episcopal Church, as with the other regilious organizations, have lost sight of God's basic teachings and have, for their own benefit, modified His teachings to suit their own purposes.

Rick Curry
Organized religeon continues to eat their own. LGBT believers shoud take refuge and wait out the storm. Love wil wi in the end.

Fr. Martin
The Episcopal Church must not give in to bullies. Let the ignorant, leave. The Anglican church is weak , So, the Episcopalian Church must find its courage. The Episcopal churchs stand is prophetic pointing to the future.

Joanne O'Donnell
Of course it matters. We should not lightly discard 2-1/2 centuries of tradition.More importantly, to be cast off by the Anglican Communion would be a sad and disappointing event for a church whose mission, stated in the Book of Common Prayer, is " to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ." I am painfully conscious of that mission as I witness the polarization and fragmentation that are tearing the world apart. The Episcopal Church should be actively involved in healing these fractures, not adding to them. We cannot abandon our integrity (and I'm confident we will not) but we should never give up the search for solutions. And if the break happens, as it well might, we should never stop working with God to find ways to heal it.

Jerry Reynolds
The Anglican Communion is to its core more open and liberal than the vestiges of Victorian colonialism would have the world believe. The heavy handed rigidity rearing its head in parts of the African Church see themselves as part of a romantic "traditional" structure. That romantic take will collapse when the Archbishop of Canterbury makes is clear that he doesn't view the Church with their paradigm and he really has no other option.

Jerry Reynolds
The Anglican Communion is to its core more open and liberal than the vestiges of Victorian colonialism would have the world believe. The heavy handed rigidity rearing its head in parts of the African Church see themselves as part of a romantic "traditional" structure. That romantic take will collapse when the Archbishop of Canterbury makes is clear that he doesn't view the Church with their paradigm and he really has no other option.

Anonymous
The tail is wagging the dog! The African Bishops are making a power play for the Anglican Communion. If the Africans want to go it on their own, than let it be. They won't get far with out American and European money. I find it interesting that Gays are immoral to the African Bishops, yet they sit and allow the killing in Darfur to continue.

Rob S
as with all religions in my opinion they should stay out of our personal lives and keep the barbaric rules and regulations to themselves

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Anonymous
Of course, there is an emotional attachment between the two bodies, but I feel that if the Episcopal Church is forced out of the AC because of its progressive stance on GLBT issues, so be it. Others will follow, I'm sure. A proud Episcopalian!

Anonymous
I can't even imagine who even cares about this? Why is it even news? Talk about a subset of a subset of a subset. I don't need Episcopals, Catholics, Baptists or any other religion to "accept" me. It makes no difference.

fishface
America also has scores of liturgical churches claiming Apostolic Succession--Bishops in an unbroken line from Christ's apostles at Pentecost. Each has its own wrinkle of doctrine or practice separating it from the others. Without Anglican fellowship, the Episcopal Church risks becoming just another homegrown sect like Christian Science and the Morons.

outsdr
Why should I be concerned over some spat between two different mythological interpretations?

EW
It will ultimately be the Anglican Communion's loss, though losing this historical connection will hurt the Episcopalians for awhile.

ian
severing ties with the minds you cannot change only opens the door to expand the congregation of minds that support you without the hiderance they would offer .

Anonymous
actually, my answer is really no but it does matter if TEC severs ties with the world-wide Anglican community, especially those churches that make up the southern cone churches if TEC doesn't, it will become more irrevelent

Anonymous
actually, my answer is really no but it does matter if TEC severs ties with the world-wide Anglican community, especially those churches that make up the southern cone churches if TEC doesn't, it will become more irrevelent

W. Rogers
I don't think it matters a bit. There have always, ALWAYS been splits in the church over all kinds of issues, with one demonizing the other as heretics, or libertines or other pejorative labels. The Anglican Communion is no exception- and while it may not matter, it's sad that a group is willing to split the Body of Christ over such a trivial matter- the Episcopal church isn;t the problem, the problem is with Peter Akinola's hatefilled followers who seem to think, as so mny tired "reformers" before them, that they have the REAL God. What a crock!

James Moore
Christ had a ministry of inclusivness. Leaving the church, because you want anyone excluded goes against the central core of this ministry and is wholy unchristian.

The Rev. Neil Tadken
It will probably not happen. Even if some elements of the Anglican Communion leave and set up an alternative conservative "communion" with only like minded people, the Episcopla Church will go on and witness the Good News to this modern and changing world.

Michael Coffey
Maybe the Episcopal Church will finally stop riding the fence about supporting glbt folks in the everyday parish. Gay bishops are great, but what about openly gay priests, gay weddings IN the churches????

Robert Gotham
Of course it matters. But it does not necessarily matter in a negative way. If remaining in the Anglican Communion prevents the Epicospal Church in the United States from living fully, and without condition, to it's commitment of full inclusion, then splitting has a positive outcome. The ideal outcome would be stay in communion and for ECUSA to be fully inclusive. The worst outcome is to stay in communion at the expense of living to God's word of being fully inclusive.

bob
Let them go. Don't let the spiritually immature stand in the way of growth.

Anonymous
it may be better off by being totally independent... like most american churches are...

Ben
Yes it matters because of unity but it won't be devestating to the Episcopal Church.

Jim
What would Jesus do if He were here? Certainly not be part of what's going on now. As Gandhi said, "I like your Christ. I don't like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." It's sad to watch the power plays, especially with isolated Bible lines, among patriarchal men.

Anonymous
But that will be the Anglican Communion's loss,particularly the African provinces. It is one thing for them to disagree with the Episcopal church's current positions (ordination of gay and women priests / bishops, gay marriage / unions, etc) but to break traditional boundaries and set up outpost churches / diocese in this country is wrong and inconsistent with what the Anglican Communion stands for.

Rick
To me what matters that anyone who believes in God to accept human beings as is and not judge, this is what a true Christian does.

Anonymous
Guess I'm hopeful that a solution can be reached before a "yes" or "no" answer becomes necessry. Bill

Anonymous
As ans ordained ministry of the Gospel, I know the necessitaty of breaking from people eho do not know about God's uncoditional love and commandment to not judge.

Keith Andrews
If the what does what to the who now?

fiona mcdougall, scotland
Yes, it does matter. The mainstream Church should recognize gay marriage.

Anonymous
Whar matters is the hate that Gay people absorb from these so called Christians. Hate is mentally and physically hurtful and in some cases fatal(suicide).

Hans Sachs
The Episcopal Church should sever ties with the Anglican Communion first. They're mainly a bunch of bigots. What a travesty of the Lord's word when they won't take Communion with American bishops.

Anonymous
I don't care what they do as long as we come out with 1 church with decent principles.

JBennett
The Anglican Church will be much the sufferers. My sould hurts that we have come to this cross roads; but it seems necessary.

Anonymous
Divisions have existed since there were only two people on the entire planet and that will never cease.

Anonymous
The Anglican Communion can kiss goodbye to lots of money and the Episcopal Church can move forward and continue to be a leader in social, political and theological issues. All that matters is a loss of traditional feelings - nice but not that important.

Anonymous
Who gives a fuck? A biggoted church serves no purpose in my life, nor should it in the lives of any right-thinking gays and lesbians.

Anonymous
Honestly, what's the honor of being associated with a church that owes its existence to a divorce?

Evan
At the time of the American Revolution, the Episcopal Church severed its ties with the Church of England. The Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral was a major step in bridging that gap. Ordination of women also was a hot topic. In the long run, both sides worked it out and reunified. Unity is important, but not at the expense of our consciences.

Anonymous
It doesn't really matter at all. The face of the cjuech is changing, and must change. The Roman Catholic Church is also in transition, and inevitably will look different in the next ten years. We cannot hold Spirit down even in the name of dogma teachings!

Anonymous
We're all Anglicans even tho we sometimes spat. If the Bishops did more kissing and less spitting, we'd not have this situation.

SB Sun City California
I was born an Anglican and moved to the US and became an Episcopalian. I think it should be an independent church and not have to answer to bishops from another country and for that matter, I think the Archbishop should not bow down to third world bishops. I do believe that there should be more separation of church and state; legalazation of our unions and partnerships has nothing to do with a religious ceremony. If a couple feels the need for a religious ceremony, there are certainly enough rebel churches around in the catholic faith to perform a blessing ritual.

Anonymous
No! The Episcopal Church contributes more than 70% of it's financials to the World Wide Anglican Church. So they need us more than we need them. If the Episcopal church left, they would be begging us to come back in a year or so anyway.

John Ross
Based on the fact that they share the same basic doctrine and have no Primel authority other than the Bible, what difference does it make to stay attached to the Queen of England? American/ Canadian Catholics should break from Rome as well.

John Adrian
The Episcopal Church severed its ties with The Church of England in the 1780s, at the end of the American Revolution. All that has transpired between them since then is simply acknowledgement of their shared history as seperate from Roman Catholicism and their shared core beliefs.

Jon Bassinger-Flores
Yes, of course it matters. Any breakup like this matters. It would have both beneficial and negative consequences. The Episcopal Church would be free to be as gay-inclusive as it wants. The Anglican Church's queer, progressive thinking and FEMALE members would suffer loss of stature and voice. But hey, religious schisms are just part and parcel of organized religion, so why not embrace it and move on!

Adele M. Dooling
BUT, what matters, where we should put our limited efforts, is in parsing the double-speak of candidates for offices that DIRECTLY effect the rest of lives. Like Bush's nominee for Surgeon General. He claims his advice will be based on "scientifically-proven" facts. That is code for "since religiously biased,flat earth believing, uneducated juries are still out about homosexuality's origins, we can push a personal agenda when it comes to such topics". He is cadging as they all do, when asked to offer an overt answer. But Bush knows, and so should we, just where he plans to STAY on this issue.He said he would resign if he had to put politics before science, but do remember, to him being gay is not a fact of science; to him it is a personal, hence, political choice,not a fact. This is the stuff that matters.

David C.
The Episcopal wing of the AC has the money. The rest of the communion won't be gone long.

Brian J. Gerl
The Anglican communion depends on large part for support from American contributions. Bishops fromAfrica have no business telling an independent national Church what it's internal policies should be! Tell the African busy-bodies to mind their own problems in their own countries. God knows they have much to account for in their own countries.

Sandra
One's religous beliefs must stand on their own merits, not on some institution.

Lois
As a lifelong (heterosexual) Episcopalian whose husband left a lifetime in the Roman Catholic Church because of their anti-gay stance (he joined the Episcopal Church and loves it), I say no, it matters not. The Episcopal Church will survive -- and thrive -- because of our inclusiveness. * All *are welcome; *all* are created in God's Flawless Image; *all* are to live out our lives in fullest measure, as we were created to do, and to make our own small part of God's lovely-though-hurting world better. *No one* is excluded, neither gay nor straight nor trans nor bi. ALL are welcome. If we should separate from the Anglican Communion it won't be by our choice; ithe choice will rest on the consciences of Anglican leadership, God help them.

Anonymous
It would seem that this process began years ago when the American church was named "The Episcopal Church" rather than The Angelican Church. Gay policy or not, no church should be mandating policy that could effect the lives of thousands/millions by virtue of social, economic or geographical areas.

Anonymous
It's time for individuals and churches to stand up for social justice. If the larger group (Anglican Communion) is held together by the glue of social injustice, then the duty of the daughter church (Episcopal Church) is to strive for justice by leaving. It's a sad decision to have to make, but unity in error is not much of a goal.

Dr. Jeffrey S. F. Nelson
In an era in which people are increasingly becoming disgusted with the infighting in religious groups over a variety of issues, and in which religion is often used as a bludgeon to justify intolerance or worse, violence, rather than inclusion, Christian unity is important. People of faith should set an example for the world in which a variety of opinions can not only be tolerated but respected. Faith communities have the opportunity to show how people of diverse backgrounds and opinions can live together in peace and love. Creating denominations that express only one point of view on either side of an issue does nothing to promote such community, but only serves to mirror a culture of polarity.

Anonymous
I think staying in the communion will in the long run do more for change then walking away from the table at this point.

Anonymous
Yes, they have no right to use discrimination to upset the church.

Mike Klausing
Let's complete the American Revolution!

Frank Erdman
Religious freedom is a pillar of American culture, and therefore, churches indegenous to the United States which may have disagreements with sister churches abroad, shall and will have the continued freedom to operate unencumbered, and, accordingly, even if a church's counterparts abroad sever ties to that church, the church's ability to operate with autonomy and freedom within the United States remains unimpeachable.

Richard
The Anglican Communion has no real jurisdiction over The Episcopal Church. All churches in the Communion are autonomous.

Bill Perdue, RainbowRED Organization
That’s a ridiculous question. Who cares. The episcopal, or anglo-catholic church is just a watered down version of the roman catholic church and both are immersed in preposterous superstition and obsessive irrationality. Both are led by retarded, money grubbing (and in the case of the roman church - boy raping) clergy. They’re beneath contempt and their disagreements aren’t worth mentioning. They’re headed for history’s garbage can and judging the smell they give off throwing them out is long overdue.

Frankie
Why should it matter if one church follows a different path than another..isnt that the reason why there are thousands of different religions all over the world? Everyone and every group has a different opinion on life, social and moral issues and if one group wants to do things there way, why not...it makes the world a better place. Everyone is different and everyone has the right to think they way the want too...

Roger,New BedfordMA
As an Episcopalian, I wouldn't care to be a part of a bigoted, homophobic church community. If seperation is the answer, let it be. Let the Episcopal example of Christ's love shine through the darkness of hatred. Judge not. Love your neighbor. Live by the Golden Rule. Values to live by.

Paul
The Episcopal church here in the States are pretty different from the rest of the Anglican community already, at least socially/culturally. If the Anglicans do cut the ties, then the Episcopal church will be free to follow its conscience and honor the divinity in all people, straight and gay.

Jystiinn
I believe that the division in the church is largely due to intolerance to any other group of people that don't believe the exact same thing you do. There is no room at God's table if you are not straight and if you are gay. It has caused great division amongst the people in the church. If one group of people leave for their religious beliefs then they must do what they feel is in accordance to their spiritual beliefs. But at no time should they discourage other gay members to follow them.

Mario
It matters, but what I feel like is that the Church of England is just trying to hang onto influence in Africa rather than standing on principle. The Church of England should be stating that what Akinola is doing is wrong, what Nigeria is doing to LGBT people is disgusting, and if there's a schism, the Church of England should stand with the US Episcopal Church instead of the retrograde bigots in Nigeria. Fortunately there are people like Desmond Tutu and Bishop Mwamba to show that there are plenty of decent African Anglicans out there.

Him
Is this a gay issue?

Matt in Ohio
I say yes because I think the two should sever ties. I don't think one part of the church should be held hostage by the other's homophobia. More progressive churches have the moral obligation to follow where they believe God is leading them, just as much as conservative churches claims the same right. Remaining one is for political and finanial reasons alone - something Jesus clearly would not do.

Anonymous
It just gives the Nigeria-loving bigots something for their grandchildren to be embarrassed about and have to fix. I mean really, following the edicts of a country with so many displaced officials needing help gaining access to untapped bank accounts.

Kevin Brauer, Denver
The Episcopal Church is just as irrelevant as the Catholic Church and historically almost as evil. For the self-loathing homosexuals who must cling to these Christian groups who despise them it will be better when the reactionary Anglican Communion leaves the main Episcopal Church.

Anonymous
I could care less. I used to belong to the Episcopal Church and leaving it was the best thing that happened to me.

Jim
Who cares!? My relationship with God is between me and God, not me, some religious organization, and God. If people are so bound up in a religious organization that this is a major factor in their life, can they also be bound up in their relationship with God? The truth is they care more for the organization and their denomination than God. That's why there's so much hype. I may not be a boy scout, but I still go camping, fishing and make smores over an open fire. Couldn't care less about the organization.

Greg Lawson
Any "Christian" group that would rather split instead of converse, study and pray is NOT Christian nor Christ-like. Rather it is unchristian. So it does matter that these nonchristians want to wedge further bricks into walls of hate.

Anonymous
It matters in the sense that the U.S. Episcopal Church will be permanently engaged in low-grade warfare with the conservative elements of the Anglican Communion for as long as they are bound together. Severing ties will permit the Episcopal Church to move ahead without the constant threat of censure from it's conservative adversaries.

dj
Actually it would be us severing ties with them. And the Episcopals who have the nerve to create a schism TRULY do not have the Episcopal spirit in them. We have NOTHING as Episcopals without the three-legged stool of Scripture, Tradition and REASON ! It's why we're the thinking-person's church. SO angry about this, sorry! Peace.

Robert
Ofcourse it doesn't matter. The "Anglican" communion has effectively been hijacked by a gang of primitive, backward Nigerians who are about as far removed from your average American Episcopalian as a Swiss banker is from a naked pygmy with a bone sticking between his nose.

Anonymous
As an Episcopalian I think it is time to sever our ties with the Anglican Community if it is going to try to pressure us to move backward. The Episcopal Church is generally one of the most affirming and welcoming churches there are. Many Gays and Lesbians have found a spiritual home there after thinking they woiuld never be accepted by a church (or temple). To ask us to accept The Anglicans demands of bigotry, segregation and dicrimination is appaling and outside of our teachings. On the business side of things, the American church is the largest financial supporter of the church. so let them survive w/o us.

Anonymous
Who cares? Most religions hate gays, so why would any gay person care, or be religious.

Anonymous
Have no idea what the hell you're talking about

Craig King
If the Anglican Communion wants to remain conservative, and hold on to its ancient doctrine, that's fine. The Episcopal Church (like the Anglican Church in Canada) has moved on. But the ECUSA can stand on its own now and be better for it. At last, some Christians are treating gay folks like human beings in this country. They deserve our appreciation for that.

Anonymous
The more Conservative Churches isolate themselves the quicker they will die out as younger people leave them for more moderate churches. The Anglican Church in the US will die within 15 years if they seperate from the Episcopaleans

John L Turner, MD
The Anglican Church in England is not likely to last more than one more generation, and the few large Cathedrals (e.g., Westminster) will be used for ceremonial purposes only. The Anglican and Anglican/Catholic churches in the US are few in total number compared to the Episcopal Communion, which will, in the end, remain supportive of Gay people. The same goes for the Episcopal churches of Canada, New England, and Australia. Combined, those will far outnumber the Anglican churches. The United Church of Christ has long been the leader of the main Protestant churches in the US in all matters conscerning Gays. The Northern Methodists, Missouri Synod Lutherans, Northern Baptists and the others will all band with the UCC and Episcopal churches in Gay issues. Theologically, there really are no differences; some have better music, pipe organs, and fancier dresses and robes. That's about it. John Turner, MD

Anonymous
I won't vote on this one; I'm Jewish!

Jason Moors
I am a 44 yr old gay male Episcopalian in the Diocese of Texas and am a supporter of Gene Robinson as a openly gay bishop in the New Hampshire diocese. By severing ties with the US church,the Anglican Communion can no longer be called a 'communion'. One idea I have is for the US,Canada and other liberal dioceses to band together and form their owh communion.I'm no fan of Peter Akinola and his anti-gay stance.I don't have a proper answer for what is happening but I do believe the US Episcopal church is the best mainline Protestant denomination for gays and lesbians wanting to find a church home!

Anonymous
In fact, if they cannot agree on fundamental issues of individual equality and equal rights, they NEED to dissolve their relationship.

Dave O
They're evil, who wants them around? Isn't it time for the 'Church' to Grow Up? Most religions are oppressive and backwards anyway so who really cares? I don't for one. Good riddance to the stupid wingnuts.

Michael Reiser
It matters a great deal because of the history and symbolism of a world-wide church working together. But the cost may be getting too high, and a split increasingly looks like it cannot be avoided. Michael Reiser St. Louis Episcopalian

Anonymous
There has been for so many years a growing separation and not just over gay issues that making it official is merely a formality that is long overdue.

Green Gay
Of course not. Other than affecting their bottom line--which will happily serve to decrease their political influence--wny should it matter to anyone (except the gay dupes who want to keep supporting these bigots)? The Christian churches have been tearing down our lives, our families and our relationships for 2000 years. I find it terribly gratifying that it's gay issues that are finally tearing them apart. There's an important principle they could learn from Buddhism: karma.

Meowzer
Personally, I couldn't care less what any form of religion does within their own ranks. As long as they don't force me to participate. Church and religion are the biggest scams working these days.

Steve Scott
It would be a good thing to have the Anglican Church sever ties with the Episcopal Church. We Episcopalians are taught how to think as oppossed to Roman Catholics and Anglicans who are taught what to think. They need to go.

Richard in K.C.
Who cares! These crazy, ridiculous religions are all on their last legs. If one considers the hate and carnage caused by all of them (Catholic, Protestant, Islam, Judaism, Hindu) through the centuries it obviously makes sense to just dump them. I suggest we try reason, scientific research, and humanism.

Anonymous
No it doesn't matter to me, because I personally have no involvement in organized religion. I believe religion has reached a very sad state of affairs with this internal bickering over whether rights and equality should be afforded the Gay and Lesbian Community. I often think of philosopher Bertrand Russell's observation in 1927 when he echoed the thoughts of the Roman philospher Lucretius "that religion, as a disease born of fear, is a source of untold misery to the human race" .

kevin stryke
i've never understood why people voluntarily join theocracies(religious dictatorships) and give up their individual rights and minds to others who just want to control them. religion today ,as ive experienced it, has nothing to do with god.

Marcie Neuman
Of course, it matters. But not to the point that the Episcopal Church should be held hostage to prevent a severence of ties. We are all God's children, and entitled to God's grace equally. If the Anglican Church needs to sever ties, rather than being open to accepting all of Gods' children, so be it.

Bill
All churches are outgrowths of hatred and exclusivity ... there is no place for them in a modern hate-free environment ...

Anonymous
Yes, somewhat. The notion of splintering a group in times of disagreement is not good... Taken to its logical extension, the group will lose its clout and potentially its effectiveness as it disintegrates into many small parts...

Anonymous
Personally speaking NO, but I'm not Christian! However, for the church itself, it shouldn't matter, in fact the break away will help the other grow into a better path. Why would the other want to be part of an oppressive religion. Heck, big deal, let them leave. Through out the history of the church they have been breaking apart because they can't make up their minds on what their book teaches. You can read one verse and create a church based on that, it's not a cohesive religion.

John Ross
The Communion must NOT severe all ties with the Episcopal church. There are too many other issues of vital importance to the ongoing work of the church that both must work together to advance. Most worldwide denominations have ranges of interpretation and application of both dogma and doctrine. Those differences should not prevent the worldwide body from being a significant force for good work in our world.

Robert Stiefel
All in all, it wouldn't matter. The young American Church was not recognized by Canterbury from 1776 until 1790 or later, but Scotland stood by us. This time round, if the US Church is disowned it won't stand alone: Canada, Brazil, the Union of South Africa, Mexico, Scotland, and other provinces will stand by the American Episcopal Church. No matter what we in the US do, the right wing, rooted in Africa, may well split of their own accord. The split might be very beneficial, actually. I'm an out gay man and have been an Episcopal priest since 1978.

Ray
Denominations are simply fractions of the original Christianity. Who cares if they have to break it off with the Church of England? They could do a lot better job spreading God's unconditional love without the Archbishop wagging his fingers at them over dogma, misinterpreted scripture, and dusty old traditions.

Grover
World-wide Anglicanism, once know for its diversity and tolerance, is under assault from the Christian right. The way things seem to be going, it is on track to become just one more fundamentalist sect. It is becoming known for its bigotry and ignorance. As an American Episcopalian, this is not a group with which I wish to be associated. It appears that we will have no choice but to "walk apart" if we are to have one shread of integrity left!

Anonymous
I think the conservatives from Africa should be asked to leave the Anglican Church.

Disgusted w/STUPID Questions
Like this really means anything to us as gays and lesbians! Why don't you just ask if the catholic church should start doiing the mass in Latin again? How does this affect us in our community?

Alan
Anytime there is a split in the Church it is The Devil 1 - God's People 0. I think that the acceptance of gays in the Church is the modern Church's test to see whether or not it is living up to the message of Christ. So far, of the major branches of Orthodox Christianity, only the Episcopal Church seems to be taking Christ's message seriously and following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary of being, as her Son said so beautifully, "blessed are they who hear the word of God and put it into practice."

Anonymous
if they want to cut ties, let them. obviously they're going to be antigay whether they get the info or not.

Anonymous
Religion - Jesus Fucking CHRIST!

Anonymous
A little over 25 years ago I was a christian but seeing how most christians treat gays and lesbians during that time has made me hate christians and I no longer give a damn about any religious people. To me, religion has been the cause of most of mankind's conflicts since the beginning of time and today is no different. If a bigoted faction wants to sever ties from a main branch of a church I say let them. It seems that each year the "born again" christians get nuttier and nuttier and it wouldnt suprise me if 50 years from now they were on the same wacky level as the islamic fundamentalists spreading violence and murder in the name of their god.

the Rev. Craig Gates
It will mean that something that was unique in the world, the balance of Scripture, Tradition and Reason, will have been crushed by a new brand of Anglican Fundamentalists. Fundamentalism which once was the only true American heresy and limited to those who were frightened of looking at the Bible in a serious way, has now been exported to Africa and has infected a great world wide religion that for over 400 years was a haven for thinking Christians. We Anglicans/Episcopalians have believed that Jesus freed the World from the slavery of the Law and given each and every one of us the Grace to live free and holy lives. That as Paul says [in Galatians 6:15], makes of all things, “a new creation.” Anglicanism produced men like Wilbur Wilberforce who spent his life fighting for the end of slavery, because that is what he came to believe as an Anglican Christian. It has given us Desmond Tutu whose life has been spent freeing all people, Black, White, Straight & Gay from the tyranny of oppression. If Akinola and Minns have their way a “stumbling block” will be placed before thousands of God’s children all across the world.

Dr. Frank Patti
Many churches have the changed their position on important issues throughout history. There was a time when the Methodist Church was part of the Episcopal Church. There was a time when the church was sharply divided over slavery in the US. As long as humans are in the position to interpret spiritual laws, there will be such conflicts. One can spit Love Your Neighbor As Yourself in many different ways. I just happen to love my neighbor and his name is Craig. (Okay, he's my domestic partner ...)

Anonymous
To some extent it would matter, specially when you consider who has the rights to the buildings and other assets of the churches.

Joe S. a Vermonter
Sure, it would be good if the whole Anglican Communion were for gay rights, allowing same sex marriage, gay clergy, etc. But if they can't come together on that, the American Episcopal Church should not give in to the bigoted churches in this country or those from Africa and elsewhere. Let them go - good riddance!

Chris
As a former Roman Catholic, who finally severed ties with this bigoted church, I would support the Episcopalians who want to break away. I would caution them, though. Placing your trust in any "Christian" church may come back to bite you. The undercurrent of hatred that exists in Christianity today, toward LGBT persons is very real and very dangerous. Don't let them rip your heart out, as they did mine.

Clyde Harrelson
If the only "crime" of the loving, open, and inclusive American Episcopal Church (according to the Anglican Communion) is that they/we fully accept GLBT Christians into the Body of Christ, then we Episcopalians don't really need to be associated with such a narrow-minded -- and, in my opinion, unChristian -- group.

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