Friday, November 7, 2008

Compare and Contrast

It is interesting the dichotomies between the views of those on the realignment side of things in Anglican-world. Notably, it might go without saying, but the folks leading the realignment in this country - are almost entirely white people of both religious and politically conservative point of view. In the Church of Kenya, among the half-dozen Anglican provinces actually leading the realignment (schism) of the Anglican Communion, it is totally different. While religiously traditionalist in many ways, they are also non-American (of course), and quite different politically and in many other obvious ways. But consider the different reactions to the election of Barack Obama:

According to a number of news sources:
“It is a positive turn for Africa,” said Bishop Joseph Wasonga of Maseno West Anglican Church in Kenya, as reported by ENI. “I think his winning will bring hope and healing to the whole world.

Yet, among those who are realignment workers in America (almost entirely non-African folks), there is quite the opposite feeling. Sarah Hey of Stand Firm in Faith writes:

[W]e conservatives are grieved over America's choices yesterday... In the case of our President-elect, we elected a man who despises the Constitution, adores and supports the killing of infants, and holds as his friends and confidants and allies people who hate America and wish to end America as best they can.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello Father Jones; I happen to work in the Diocese of Egypt, and here the feelings are a bit more mixed. But overall, there is not the enormous negativism that I see in the conservative Anglicans in the USA.

Now you could argue that we are outsiders so we do not understand the 'real' situation. But I do believe actually that we all suffer from myopia.

We often have difficulty seeing the flaws in our own culture and its presuppositions, while we see them sharply (and often rather realistically!) in other cultures.

I am amazed how many conservatives in the US think that the world is collapsing because Obama is elected. As an outsider to your culture (though a regular visitor, and full of love and respect for your country) I am appaled at how easily christians-of-the-right justify wars and an arms industry that makes me sick, while not investing much in eradicating poverty in the US, and not creating comprehensive health insurance.

Also, the unilateralism of the US in the past 8 years is not appreciated at all, even by your friends (like me). So it is no wonder that the world rejoices in a real possibility of change.

Chris+ said...

I thought they reserved that kind of treatment for Episcopalians...Is Obama attending Confirmation classes?

Greg Jones said...

Thanks Jos for your thoughtful comment. I'm very interested in your work in Egypt...what are you up to there? Missionary? I was a missionary in the Diocese of Honduras for two years - not Egypt, but still a world away from the United States.