Living in the Florida Panhandle, three of the four major networks television stations we get are out of Mobile, Alabama. Because of that, we get to see all the political campaign ads for various local, state, and federal campaigns. Currently there is a runoff campaign between Bradley Byrne and Dean Young for the US Congress seat being vacated by Congressman Jo Bonner. Mr. Byrne is running the following ad:
Whenever I hear a candidate describe himself as a Christian conservative, then that always peaks my interest. Both terms have been so watered down to lose their original meaning.
I visited Mr. Byrne's website to read up on him. Mr. Byrne writes his "faith in Christ is [his] foundation. Our nation faces a moral crisis, but it doesn’t have to be that way. As God called the people of Israel back time and time again we in America have the responsibility to heed His call and do His will."
So far so good.
His biography further states that he is a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope, AL. Okay, that made my antenna go up. For the last ten years or so, the Episcopal Church has done a seismic shift in its denominational doctrine when it comes to gay marriage and last year approved same-sex blessing services.
At the Episcopal Church's website, of which is linked to at St. James' website, their page "LGBT in the Church" states "To our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters: 'The Episcopal Church welcomes you!'"
The Bible clearly condemns homosexuality and no attempt by liberal theologians to twist scripture to fit the modern acceptance of what the Bible declares an abomination will change that fact.
I wanted to get the opinion of the Rector of Saint James in Fairhope so I emailed Rev. Mark H. Wilson. Here is my email:
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From: David Jeffers
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 1:30 AM
To: Mark Wilson
Subject: Question about Saint James
Rev. Wilson,
Does Saint James Episcopal Church support the Episcopal Church’s General Convention House of Bishops’ vote of 111-41 to authorize a trial rite for same-sex unions? If yes, have you or would you perform a same-sex ceremony?
Also, do you support the ordaining of transgendered individuals for the ministry?
Thank you so much for your time.
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Now those questions seem to be simple yes or no questions. Here is Rev. Wilson's reply:
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From: Mark Wilson
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 10:52:12
To: David Jeffers
Subject: RE: Question about Saint James
David,
I would be happy to share my thoughts and opinions with you. My telephone number is listed bleow.
Blessings,
Mark
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I have had this type of response before, mostly from politicians, and in most cases it is an avoidance tactic. A telephone conversation leaves room for he said, she said. An email response is a record that can't be misquoted or taken out of context. It was very telling to me that he wouldn't answer my questions via email. I know for a fact my pastor would have answered those questions clearly and concisely.
As a Christian, I cannot attend a church that belongs to a denomination that is committing heresy of any sort, not just homosexuality. As a Southern Baptist, if my denomination was to take the same road as the Episcopal Church, I would leave it without hesitation. Of course this is just one man's opinion and the voters of Alabama's 1st Congressional District will have to make up their own minds.
Any honest intellectual conversation on historical and traditional Christianity does not embrace the LGBT lifestyle.
Now to Mr. Byrne's declaration that he is a conservative. It would be interesting when he had a change in political beliefs because although he criticized the national Democrat Party for being too liberal as far back as 1984, he remained in the party of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Al Gore, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Bill and Hillary Clinton until 1997. His record leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to conservatism.
Patriots, we must be skeptical of RINOs and liberals wearing the veil of Christian conservative. Many of those same men and women have already been elected to Congress and we've already witnessed enough of compromising "conservatives" and there is no room for anymore.
Choose wisely Alabama 1st Congressional district.