I really, literally, couldn’t care less what the Episcopal Church does, or any church, really, as long as it isn’t enabling crimes, abusing its influence or actively making its followers stupid. But…seriously, Episcopals?
From the press release announcing that thing:
In affirmation and celebration of The Episcopal Church’s LGBTQ+ members, the Office of Communication is pleased to unveil a new Pride shield available online for churchwide use. The design retains the upper-left blue corner of The Episcopal Church’s shield logo and incorporates elements of the traditional Pride flag as well as the Progress Pride flag and Philadelphia Pride flag. In their use of black, brown, pink, and light-blue diagonal lines, the latter two flags represent intersectional progress in acknowledging people who are often overlooked by the mainstream LGBTQ+ movement: communities of color; the transgender community; and the many thousands harmed by anti-LGBTQ+ policy—from those who lost their lives in the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and ‘90s, to those still disproportionately impacted today…For half a century, Episcopalians have been working toward a greater understanding and radical inclusion of all God’s children. …In June 2023, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issued a video message of encouragement to “all of my LGBTQ+ family members,” noting, “I believe deep in my soul that God is always seeking to create a world and a society where all are loved, where justice is done, and where the God-given equality of us all is honored in our relationships, in our social arrangements, and in law.” Last month, the church announced the hire of its first gender justice staff officer, a new position called for by the 80th General Convention and dedicated to justice, advocacy, and inclusion work focused on women and LGBTQ+ people.
“In the United States, the bodily autonomy of women and trans people is under attack, and fully 50% of LGBTQ+ Americans live in poverty,” said Aaron Scott, gender justice staff officer. “I am grateful for the care and intention that went into designing this new Pride shield as it not only represents the LGBTQ+ community more fully, but also lifts those who, out of sheer necessity of survival and dignity, have fought the hardest and sacrificed the most for the thriving of all of us.”
Discuss. I don’t even know how to phrase an ethics quiz in response to this.
What is “this”? Just cynical, undignified marketing? Pride Month pandering? Is it appropriate for a church to actively promote specific kinds of sexual conduct? Isn’t slapping “intersectional” symbols on a Church logo unethically crossing the line from non-profit activities into political activism?
If all churches are going to be going forward are just gussied up leftist social activism cabals, what good are they?
(And is there such a thing as “design ethics?”)
Ethics Alarms 
it was founded because a king wanted to divorce his wife.
It is my silisitic understanding that practising one’s faith is protected by our Constitutional amendment. It is also my understanding that one has the right to profer the contents of that faith to others. However, it is unethical to force elements of faith on others. Profer, pursuade-OK. pandnatic powering-not OK.
The Methodist Church most recently divided itself over the issues portrayed in this new emblem.
The Catholic Church developed means for Episcopalians disaffected over this matter to embrace the Catholic faith.
Before this emblem there was division within their faith itself, so it not surprising that this step was taken.
Do they have the right to do this-definitely yes.
Is it right to do this -definitely -NO
I got nothing.
Gender Justice Staff Officer for the Episcopal Church.
Imagine if you could send this man back in time, to explain to Henry VIII exactly who he was and what his job was. Sometimes I wish I were a teacher, so I could assign students to write the script for such a scene.
I think it says something that this design is 1/4 faith, 3/4 LGGBT+ activism. For whatever reason, the Episcopal church, which yes, was founded because the pope wouldn’t give Henry VIII a divorce from Katherine of Aragon (and Henry wanted to grab some property), has become one of the most socially liberal faiths, to the point where many of its clergy don’t even believe in the Resurrection anymore. There’s a big difference between a faith based on the Bible and a faith that’s just spiritualized leftism.
Indeed. The Babylon Bee once had an article breaking down the denominations and noted for Unitarians – “might as well be atheists”.
“gussied up leftist social activism cabals”
Pretty much covers it. I noticed this about ten years ago in a Church of Christ for a concert. The Faith, Hope and Charity kitschy felt banners had been replaced by Social Justice banners. Trump had just been elected and the minister welcoming the audience declared everyone was upset and the church would be a safe space. Sheesh.
So much for saving souls and keeping them from going to hell. It’s all about perfecting life on earth. Pretty much a branch of the government.
P.S. I bought an Operation Overlord lapel pin a few years ago that I wear in June as sort of a thumb in the eye to Pride Month. You want me to wear a rainbow pin? Will this do?
Yes, there are lots of issues here. What caught my eye was the statement that fully 50% of the highly curated letters and symbol-based Americans live in poverty. That boggles my mind.
A quick internet search seems to indicate no such thing though not every study may include all letters and symbols in the quoted statement, which likely only makes a marginal difference.
The below study from UCLA Law’s WIlliam’s Institute (Feb. 2023) shows a decline from 23% to 17% of LGBT Americans in poverty albeit during COVID times.
How is it now 50%, or even close?
https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/lgbt-poverty-us/
Those numbers aren’t nearly as effective as more than 50%. The fact that you would even consider asking about ‘sources’ or ‘facts’ just shows that you need to be a better ally. </s>
<blockquote>the many thousands harmed by anti-LGBTQ+ policy—from those who lost their lives in the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and ‘90s,</blockquote>
Can we stop talking about AIDS as if it were some kind of conspiracy or pogrom against LGBT people? AIDS was not “anti-LGBTQ+ policy”, it wasn’t policy at all. It was a disease that arose naturally, and spread due to the lifestyle choices of individuals. On the policy front, immense public resources were devoted to mitigating it, despite its failure in the developed world to spread beyond the original high-risk groups.
I noted that weasel-worded statement, too. Well said!
“If all churches are going to be going forward are just gussied up leftist social activism cabals, what good are they?”
Not all churches have fallen into the trap of the social justice movement and its assorted trappings to the detriment of sound doctrine, although a number obviously have. The answer to your question, for those who have abandoned Biblical teaching for social activism, is, “Not much.” Indeed, they will propagate great evil.
This is not unexpected for anyone who studies the Bible. To cite just one example, in the third chapter of 2nd Timothy (v 1-5) Paul warns, “But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.”
Paul is speaking about people within the church! Such people can and will lead individuals as well as entire churches astray by false teaching.
The “church” that will be ready for the return of Christ is not a denomination or a sect, but a contingent of believers of no particular ecumenical background who believe and practice what the Lord taught. Some will maintain their faith even if their church organization gets into the weeds. Others will be fortunate enough to have the nurture and support of a faithful church organization.
The Episcopalians, Methodists and other denominations who have gone far away from the Bible’s teaching are in for a rude awakening one day. They will harvest what they have sown.