Friday, August 16, 2013

Rowan Williams to UK,US Christians:"Grow Up;" Says They Overact to Being Persecuted If Upset

Christians in Britain and the United States who claim they are persecuted should "grow up" and not exaggerate what amounts to feeling "mildly uncomfortable," according to Rowan Williams, who last year stepped down as Archbishop of Canterbury after an often turbulent decade, the Raw Story website reports today (August 16, 2013).

"When you've had any contact with real persecuted minorities you learn to use the word very chastely," he said. "Persecution is not being made to feel mildly uncomfortable. 'For goodness sake, grow up,' I want to say."

True persecution is "systematic brutality and often murderous hostility that means that every morning you wonder if you and your children are going to live through the day." He cited the experience of a woman he met in India "who had seen her husband butchered by a mob."

Lord Williams' years as Archbishop of Canterbury were marked by turbulence over the church's stance on the role of gay priests and bishops, gay marriage, and homophobia in the wider Anglican communion -- with many members of the church expressing disappointment at a perceived hardening in its position on homosexuality.

No comments:

Post a Comment