Scene from an Inquisition
"Scene from an Inquisition" by Francisco Goya - Web Gallery of Art
Kathleen Norris writes: “The spirit of inquisition has surfaced in many of the world's religions during our century, sometimes becoming overly violent, but more often manifesting itself as a debilitating suspicion and lack of good will.” “In Protestant churches, the spirit of inquisition is always accompanied by the spectre (sic) of schism.” [Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, p.218] Inquisitions, utilized to “uphold a wide variety of religious and political ideologies,” Norris observes, have a dreadful history in Christian churches.
In May 2018 the United Methodist Council of Bishops recommended a proposal for consideration by a February 2019 General Conference called the "One Church Plan." Essentially, it is an effort to resolve our denomination’s homosexuality debate, by allowing more freedom at the conference and local church levels regarding decisions about whether LGBTQ clergy may be ordained or whether clergy are permitted to officiate at same-gender unions. Also considered, but not recommended, was the creation of three connectional conferences aligned along theological lines or perspectives on LGBTQ ministry, and “The Traditional Plan” which keeps things as they now are and strengthens enforcement of the current anti-LGBTQ language.
It is ironic that the debate is taking place during the 50th anniversary of the creation of the United Methodist Church. I was born and baptized into a divided and segregated Methodism where church practice and race kept us apart. Those differences were, in part, set aside and three major Methodist churches united. The church into which I was ordained in 1962 was still racially segregated. With the creation of the United Methodist Church in 1968 official segregation was ended. But now we may be on the cusp of a newly divided Church over the issue of homosexuality.
Without pointing fingers at one side or another, Norris’ warning about “a debilitating suspicion and lack of good will” is "spot on," and, truth is, the "specter of schism" is upon us. There are some, on both sides of the aisle, who would welcome schism if they do not get their way. No one ever said that "being the church" would be easy. In a world riven by ideology, judgment and incivility, the Body of Christ has an enormous responsibility to find a way forward that is not divisive. I would argue that our foundational unity is in our Baptism. The Apostle Paul wrote: “For as many of you as were baptized in Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” [Galatians 3:27-28] Paul rejects radical, either/or divisions.
In a now famous statement, Pope Francis said: “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” There is a new and hopeful tone here. Pope Francis understands the dangers of human judgments. When they are used to defend and bolster ideologies and political systems, even religious ideologies and systems, they enter a slippery slope that easily leads to inquisition. In our United Methodist Church, maintaining and strengthening enforcement of the current anti-LGBTQ language will lead to an inquisition that denies our unity in Baptism.
Faithful people differ on what we should do. But we must acknowledge that it is time to move forward. I have known many faithful gay people and pastors, and to say that they are not welcome in the ministry of our church is, I believe, wrong. And, when a pastor is told, on pain of loss of credentials, that she/he must not officiate at the wedding of his gay child, that is, I believe, unconscionable.
Besides, what exactly is the purpose of the Church anyway? But to feed the hungry! But to give a cup of good water to the thirsty! But to welcome the stranger! But to clothe the naked! But to visit the sick and those in prison! And yet, here we are, facing the specter of schism, risking an entry into a spirit of inquisition. The devil must be highly amused that we may turn our backs on the unity of our Baptism. For God’s sake! We are, in our Baptism, all one in Christ Jesus!
Beware of the spirit of inquisition. It will poison our souls, render the church irrelevant, and harm the Body of Christ.
The Rev. F. Richard Garland is a retired clergy member of the New England Annual Conference. This post is republished from "From Where I Sit," a regular monthly column he distributes by email.