Reforming the Church’s Social and Political Witness Spring 2015 Robert George: Marriage and Religious Liberty

2014 Diane Knippers Lecture page 10

ALSO INSIDE:

► “High Priestess of Abortion” to Exit Episcopal Divinity School page 7

► Sexual License Mandates Attack Christian Educational Institutions page 9

► Breakfast Guests and Party Crashers: Protesting Genocide page 18

► Natural Family Planning’s Surprise Comeback page 20 VOLUME 34 NUMBER 1

TThehe WWashingtonashington NationalNational CathedralCathedral invitedinvited MuslimsMuslims toto leadlead theirtheir ownown pprayersrayers aatt thethe ccathedral.athedral. SeeSee storystory onon pagepage 6.6. (Photo:(Photo: LLisaisa HHelfert/elfert/ THE INSTITUTE ON WWashingtonashington NationalNational Cathedral)Cathedral) RELIGION & DEMOCRACY 1023 15th Street NW, Suite 601 FEATURES Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202.682.4131 Fax: 202.682.4136 See page 18: Sudanese activists share information about Sudanese government offi cials Web: www.TheIRD.org outside the National Prayer Breakfast. (Photo: Faith McDonnell/IRD) E-mail: [email protected]

PRESIDENT Mark D. Tooley 10 SPECIAL SECTION: 2014 Diane Knippers EDITORIAL Memorial Lecture Jeff Walton Marriage and Executive Editor, Communications Manager Religious Liberty by Robert P. George STAFF

Faith J. H. McDonnell Director of Religious Liberty Programs

John Lomperis UMAction Director

Kristin L. Larson Business Manager PROGRAMS Rick J. Plasterer Staff Writer Anglican 7 “High Priestess of Abortion” to Exit Episcopal Divinity School ...... Jeffrey H. Walton Chelsen Vicari 19 Anglican Building Boom Quietly Underway ...... Jeffrey H. Walton Evangelical Action Director

Presbyterian Nathaniel D. Torrey 8 PCUSA Defrocks Esteemed Evangelical Pastor...... Jeff Gissing Administrative Assistant Matthew Maule Religious Liberty Intern 9 Sexual License Mandates Attack Christian Educational Institutions . . . Rick J. Plasterer 18 Breakfast Guests and Party Crashers: Protesting Genocidal Alan F. H. Wisdom Sudanese Leader at National Prayer Breakfast ...... Faith J. H. McDonnell Adjunct Fellow

United Methodist 17 Where Did New United Methodist Ministers Attend Seminary? ...... John Lomperis COVER

Evangelical Catholic philosopher Robert P. George of Princeton University delivered the 20 Natural Family Planning’s Surprise Comeback ...... Chelsen Vicari Institute on Religion & Democracy’s annual Diane Knippers Lecture. George chairs the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and is a prolifi c writer on the topics of marriage, life, and religious liberty. (Photo: Napp Nazworth / Christian Post)

2 FAITH & FREEDOM | Spring 2015 FROM THE PRESIDENT Sanctity of Human Life: The Ignored Social Justice Issue

he annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on January 22 that Meff ord’s action was at odds with “the culture of respect” was a tremendous day both as a demonstration for human that Henry-Crowe was trying to foster. Trights and a display of Christian unity. Catholic bishops Lifewatch’s Paul Stallsworth responded that Meff ord’s sand- marched with Anglican bishops and Orthodox clergy, along with wich “sign—while not sanctioned by the GBCS staff —refl ects its Lutheran and Southern Baptist leaders. limited moral vision.” Stallsworth continued: In the morning I attended an Evangelicals for Life seminar But the real, continuing problem is abortion—actually, co-hosted by the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Commis- over 1,200,000 abortions per year in the United States— sion, featuring its leader Russell Moore and Hispanic Evangeli- and the silence of Th e United Methodist Church about cal Samuel Rodriguez. March for Life President Jeanne Mona- abortion. Th at sign will soon be forgotten. Unfortunately, han, a Catholic with an angelic disposition, thanked evangelicals countless unborn children lost to abortion will continue for their ecumenical solidarity. Moore smilingly explained that to be forgotten. But now Th e future matches don’t need fewer United Methodist Church is rosaries but do need more evan- given an opportunity to forget, gelicals. A fi ery young Southern and overcome, its silence on Baptist pastor shared his testimony abortion. By that sign. of complicity in the “murder” of his own child by abortion at age 21, Indeed, and United Method- aft er which he sought God’s mercy. ism’s silence if not support for abor- Back at the IRD offi ce, 12 tion rights through GBCS mem- Anglican bishops, including Arch- bership in the Religious Coalition bishop Foley Beach, joined us for for Abortion Rights (now Religious brunch in what has become a cher- Coalition for Reproductive Choice) ished annual tradition. Aft erwards, is a scandal that dates to 1970, when IRD staff and bishops together United Methodism fi rst offi cially joined many thousands for the backed unrestricted legalized abor- march down Pennsylvania Avenue. tion. Participating in this disgrace Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, are virtually all Mainline Protes- the unoffi cial pro-life caucus of IRD staffers (left to right): Faith McDonnell, Chelsen Vicari, tant denominations, which broke United Methodism, Lifewatch, and Jeff Walton participate in the 2015 March for Life in with historic ecumenical Christian hosted its annual service in the Washington, D.C. (Photo: IRD) consensus when they decided to Methodist Building chapel. United sanction abortion on demand. Methodist theologian Edgardo Colón-Emeric of Duke Divinity Today’s liberal leaning “social justice” evangelicals are School delivered a thoughtful message on the “luminosity of life,” tempted to join in this scandal by remaining silent on abortion, citing St. Th omas Aquinas. General Board of Church and Society which is uncomfortably controversial. For example, the annual chief Susan Henry Crowe, even though her agency is not pro-life, Justice Conference that is hosted by the National Association courteously attended the service. of Evangelicals’ World Relief and endorsed by other prominent Sadly, one of her colleagues was less courteous. Her agency’s evangelical institutions, is designed to “celebrate the beauty of “Director of Civil and Human Rights” Bill Meff ord tweeted a sar- justice”; its next meeting is this June, but it typically ignores the castic photo of himself outside among pro-life marchers with a destruction of unborn life as a social justice issue for Christians, sign proclaiming: “I March for Sandwiches.” His tweet further even though NAE is offi cially pro-life. explained: “I was inspired by the march for life to march for what How do evangelicals who won’t uphold the sanctity of I believe in!” human life have any social justice credibility? I hope the Justice Har-har-har, and no doubt he did. Meff ord’s bio on the GBCS Conference organizers and other Christians who remain mute on website explains his job entails opposing the death penalty. But abortion will reconsider their silence and join us and hundreds of while defending several hundred convicted murderers evidently thousands of others for next year’s March for Life, which is more is imperative, the nearly 1 million unborn children destroyed genuinely ecumenical and more interfaith than any self-styled every year in America are a topic of mirth. social justice jamboree. Unfortunately, Meff ord’s sign and tweet embody the lack of moral seriousness in much of modern Methodism’s social witness. Someday, this church’s social witness will be redeemed. Someday. But Meff ord’s antic in no way detracted from the powerful Mark D. Tooley is the President of the Institute on Christian witness of more dignifi ed church leaders. It did create Religion and Democracy much online controversy, which resulted in Meff ord’s apologiz- ing and removing himself temporarily from social media. Th e General Board of Church and Society issued a statement noting

Spring 2015 | FAITH & FREEDOM 3 INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS

Murder of Egyptian Christians Prompts International Outcry

he beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in February by the Islamic State is drawing international condemnation and high- lighting the precarious position of Christians in the region. T Th e men from the Upper Egyptian city of Samalut were among thousands of Egyptians who came to Libya seeking employ- ment to support families who live in grinding poverty. Abducted in the coastal city of Sirte in two separate incidents in December and January, the men are seen on a beach in orange jumpsuits with their hands cuff ed behind them in a slickly produced video showing the mass execution. Th e 21 were specifi cally chosen for their Christian faith, and one prominent Egyptian religious leader is warning that the video of their beheading expressed the Islamic State’s intention to increasingly target the Copts of Egypt. “Please pray the churches of Egypt will comfort their sons and daughters, encouraging them to resist fear and hatred,” wrote Archbishop Mouneer Hanna Anis of the Anglican Diocese of Egypt. “And please pray for the perpetrators of this terrible crime, that God would be merciful to them and change their hearts.” Quoting Jesus in John 16:33, Anis writes, “‘In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ Such cheer may seem impossible, but it is God’s promise. Please pray for us, that we may live lives worthy of his name, and hold Islamic State jihadists prepare to behead 21 Coptic Christians, identifi ed as to the testimony exhibited by the brave Egyptians in “people of the cross,” on a Libyan beach. (Photo: ISIS propaganda video) Libya.”

Clergyman Suggests 9/11 Perpetrated by Israel

controversial Church of England cleric has issued an apology aft er sharing a web site over social media that asserted Israel Awas responsible for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Th e Rev. Stephen Sizer linked to an article entitled “9/11 Israel did it.” Sizer, who regularly speaks at conferences with a sharp critique of Christian groups that are supportive of Israel, has in the past been accused of anti-Semitism by the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Sizer’s apology comes aft er the Diocese of Guildford, where he is licensed, announced an investigation of the matter. Th e Church of England issued a statement concerning Sizer: “Th ese comments would rightly be seen as unacceptable when- ever they were posted. It is a matter of deep sorrow and shame that they have been posted in this week of all weeks.” Th e Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, has instructed Sizer not to engage in “writing or speaking on any theme that relates, either directly or indirectly, to the current situation in the Middle The Rev. Stephen Sizer was investigated by the Church of Eng- East or to its historical backdrop” and also cannot use social media land after he seemingly blamed Israel for the September 11, for six months without being relieved of his position. 2001, terrorist attacks. (Photo: Video capture/UK Mirror)

4 FAITH & FREEDOM | Spring 2015 CHURCH NEWS

Duke Reverses Course on Muslim Call to Prayer

lans to begin issuing the Muslim call to prayer from a bell tower at North PCarolina’s Duke University have been withdrawn aft er public outcry, the Associated Press reports. Th e Duke Muslim Students Associa- tion planned to chant the call, or adhan, from the Duke Chapel bell tower on Fri- days. Th e adhan signals the beginning of the weekly prayer service. Th e call was is at the heart of Duke’s mission.” Evan- to last three minutes and be “moderately gelist Franklin Graham was among those amplifi ed,” according to the University. critical of the proposal. Duke has historic ties to Th e Unit- Various Christian denominations ed Methodist Church, and the chapel’s hold prayer and worship services in the The bell tower of Duke chapel, where a associate dean for religious life defended chapel. Approximately 700 of Duke’s call to Friday Islamic prayers was to be the initial plans as representing “a larger 14,800 enrolled students identify as broadcast. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) commitment to religious pluralism that Muslim. Maryland Bishop Indicted in Baltimore Hit-and-Run

he second highest ranking offi cial in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland has been indicted on 13 charges in a December 27 crash that killed a cyclist. Bishop Suff ragan Heather Cook is accused of driving under the infl uence resulting in a homicide, vehicu- Tlar manslaughter, criminally negligent manslaughter, texting while driving, and fl eeing the scene of an accident. A breathalyzer test showed Cook’s blood alcohol level was 0.22 following the accident. If found guilty, Cook could face a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment for each charge of manslaughter and for driving away from the accident. Th e Episcopal Church has launched its own investiga- tion under the church’s disciplinary canons. Church spokes- woman Neva Rae Fox told the Baltimore Sun that church offi cials will look at the process used for vetting candidates for bishop positions. Th e Maryland Standing Committee wrote to Cook in late January calling for her resignation. Diocese of Maryland offi cials acknowledged that del- egates who elected Cook in May were not told that she had been charged with driving under the infl uence of alcohol in 2010, an incident in which her blood alcohol level was 0.27 and she was found in possession of an open whiskey bottle, two bags of marijuana, and marijuana smoking parapher- nalia. Th e information was disclosed to a search committee that vetted candidates, but was not relayed to the diocesan convention that elected her. Th e Washington Post reports that diocesan offi cials sus- From left, Maryland Bishop Eugene Sutton, Bishop Suffragan Heather Cook, and Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori pected Cook was drunk at a dinner before her September con- following Cook’s consecration service in September. (Photo: Richard secration. Schori/Episcopal News Service)

Spring 2015 | FAITH & FREEDOM 5 CHURCH NEWS Episcopal, United Methodist Churches Continue Shedding Members wo denominations that pride them- 50,000 persons. one conference, Tennessee, grew in both selves on inclusivity are including Overall, the church has declined membership and attendance. Tsignifi cantly fewer people in their from a high of 3.6 million members in the Negative outliers included the Pacif- 2013 U.S. membership and attendance mid-1960s to 1.8 mil- ic-Northwest Annual fi gures. lion today, even as the Conference, with a 5 Statistics released this autumn by the U.S. population has percent drop in mem- Episcopal Church and Th e United Meth- more than doubled. bership and an 8.25 odist Church reveal that the denomina- Th e church has lost a percent drop in week- tions are struggling to fi nd their footing. quarter of its atten- ly attendance. Th e Th e Episcopal Church, especially, has dance since 2003. church’s entire West- faced increasingly steep losses since the In Th e United ern Jurisdiction did early 2000s in a perfect storm of changing Methodist Church, the poorly in membership demographics, low fertility, and depar- vast majority of annu- losses, as did the left - tures by traditionalists. Th e 2013 report- al conferences also leaning North Cen- ing year saw membership drop 27,423 saw a membership and tral Jurisdiction with to 1,866,758 (a 1.4 percent decline) while attendance decline in attendance losses. attendance dropped 16,451 to 623,691 2013. Of the 16 fastest- (a 2.6 percent decline). Losses were not Th e 49 reporting declining confer- evenly distributed, with rural and Rust U.S. annual confer- ences, at least 12 have Belt dioceses struggling, and the North- ences reported over passed resolutions at eastern United States experiencing the 83,000 fewer members recent annual confer- most widespread losses. combined, with more ence sessions stating Th e new numbers do not factor in than 68,000 fewer Winged Skull Gravestone at Cra- their support of the the departure of the Episcopal Diocese members attend- mond Kirk (Photo: Calum McRoberts/ LGBTQ movement. of South Carolina, despite the majority ing weekly services. Wikimedia Commons) Meanwhile large and of congregations there leaving the Epis- While membership growing United Meth- copal Church at the end of 2012. If South losses continue at roughly the same pace, odist annual conferences have over- Carolina departures were factored in, the decline in worship attendance has whelmingly rejected such resolutions. the membership loss would be closer to jumped by more than one-third. Only Retired Methodist Bishop Escapes Penalty for Blessing Same-Sex Union

long-retired United Methodist formal complaints Bishop won’t face a penalty aft er to be fi led against Aperforming a 2013 same-sex Talbert by Wallace- union. Melvin Talbert disregarded the Padgett and Bishop request of North Alabama Bishop Debra Rosemarie Wenner Wallace-Padgett and conducted a same- of Germany, then sex blessing service for a homosexual the Council of Bish- Bishop Melvin Talbert outside the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Florida, at a gathering in support of couple that had earlier been married in ops President. clergy who offi ciate at same-sex weddings. (Photo: Paul Jeffrey Washington, D.C. United Method- /UMNS) Th e United Methodist Church’s gov- ist Church offi cials erning Discipline forbids same-sex union have announced a “just resolution” to Other bishops participating in this pro- ceremonies. protect Talbert from any penalty, while he cess included Robert Hoshibata of Phoe- Active United Methodist bishops vaguely agreed to “live according to the nix, who had publicly defended Talbert, voted overwhelmingly last year to call for Book of Discipline” without apologizing. and Elaine Stanovsky of Denver.

6 FAITH & FREEDOM | Spring 2015

ChurchNewsiscontinuedonpage6 ANGLICAN “High Priestess of Abortion” to Exit Episcopal Divinity School by Jeffrey H. Walton

controversial Episcopal seminary abortion-on-demand and which counts dean is stepping down following the Episcopal Church among its affi liates. Aseveral years of friction with fac- Ragsdale’s announcement follows two ulty and disagreement about the future of especially rocky years at EDS in which the the school. dean faced a canceled governance assess- Dean Katherine Hancock Ragsdale ment project in which faculty protested announced her decision not to continue that they were shut out of planning. In as dean and president of Episcopal Divin- 2013, Ragsdale was given a vote of “no con- ity School in an e-mail earlier this year. fi dence” by faculty, the kind of action that “I write to tell you that I have informed she waved off as “a dime a dozen.” EDS’s board of trustees of my intent not to “It’s just a way of doing business, request a renewal of my contract when it especially for places that are facing the expires at the end of June 2015. Further, I need to potentially make signifi cant have asked them, if possible, to expedite change,” Ragsdale asserted in an inter- the process of naming a successor so that view with Th e Living Church. “It goes with Outgoing Episcopal Divinity School I may explore new opportunities,” Rags- the territory.” Dean Katherine Ragsdale appears in a dale wrote. “Of course I will do every- Th e Cambridge, Massachusetts, sem- 2014 Advent Meditation Series. (Photo: thing I can to insure a smooth transition.” inary sold property worth over $33 mil- YouTube/Episcopal Divinity School) Ragsdale’s announcement was imme- lion to neighboring Lesley University just diately followed by a statement from the before Ragsdale’s term in offi ce in an eff ort Boston by the late Bishop Th omas Shaw seminary’s board. to pay off outstanding debt and regain the in the presence of 400 family and friends. “President Ragsdale undertook a deep school’s fi nancial footing. According to Th e developments at EDS come as and real challenge when she began her ten- Th e Living Church, EDS annually draws 7 similar turmoil at the Episcopal Church’s ure at the helm of EDS, including arriving percent from its $66 million endowment General Th eological Seminary (GTS) in at a diffi cult time in the wake of the sale to cover operating costs; 5 percent or less New York appears to be quieting down. of iconic property to secure the institu- would be considered sustainable. Dean Kurt Dunkle of GTS faced oppo- tion’s fi nancial future, and during a time of Ragsdale became president of Epis- sition from a majority of faculty whose challenge in the broader fi eld of theologi- copal Divinity School in 2009, one of “resignations” were accepted by the GTS cal education,” the board wrote. “With this the Episcopal Church’s most liberal of board despite not being off ered. Eight leadership transition, we ask all members 10 accredited seminaries. Th e seminary’s of the nine dismissed faculty were later of our community to off er their gracious board describes EDS as “leaders in edu- “provisionally” reinstated. prayers to our departing President and to cational programs that are enlivened by Episcopal Divinity School Chair contribute to a welcoming and prayerful theologies of liberation, especially the Winnie Varghese wrote this winter about community for our next leaders.” many voices of feminist, congregational, the search for an Interim President and Ragsdale’s infamous rallying cry ecumenical, and global studies.” Dean to serve an eighteen-month period “abortion is a blessing,” declared in front Ragsdale is only the second ever beginning March 2015. Among the quali- of a Birmingham, Alabama, abortion female Episcopal seminary chief and the fi cations listed is for an applicant “who clinic in 2007, raised her profi le beyond fi rst who is a professed homosexual. She can ‘hit the ground running,’ to increase Episcopal Church circles and earned is also the former director of Massachu- enrollment and institutional development her the nickname “Th e High Priestess of setts-based Political Research Associates, during this time of transition.” Abortion” by conservative detractors for a watchdog of conservatism in America. her enthusiastic backing of unrestricted In 2011, EDS issued an 800-word press abortion rights. release acclaiming the “historic” wedding Jeffrey H. Walton is the Ragsdale has served on the board of Ragsdale and her partner, Th e Rev. Communications Manager and Anglican Program of NARAL Pro-Choice America and as Mally Lloyd, Canon to the Ordinary in Director at the Institute on past chair of the Religious Coalition for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. Religion & Democracy. Reproductive Choice (RCRC), a group Ragsdale and Lloyd were married in a cer- founded to provide religious cover for emony at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in

Spring 2015 | FAITH & FREEDOM 7 PRESBYTERIAN PCUSA Defrocks Esteemed Evangelical Pastor by Jeff Gissing

he Presbyterian Church (USA) has Further, Rightmyer was charged with that such decisions were entitled to be defrocked a well-respected minis- presiding at meeting(s) at which Highland ruled on by the Court using state law Tter for the role he played in helping Park’s session and later the entire congre- with no reference to the Constitution of a congregation leave the denomination. gation voted to depart. Rightmyer was the PC(USA). In short, Highland Park Joseph B. Rightmyer—an honorably acquitted on three other charges related had every right to choose to unilaterally retired member of Grace Presbytery— to procedural matters regarding an Asso- depart the denomination with its prop- served as a Teaching Elder for more than ciate Pastor. erty intact. Courts would not recognize forty years, serving most of his career as As a result of the guilty verdicts, the trust allegedly created by the Book of Chief Administrative Offi cer of Presbyte- Rightmyer was stripped of his ordination Order as enforceable. rians for Renewal. in the PC(USA). It is understandable that Highland Rightmyer served as Interim Pastor Th e verdict raises the question of Park should decide to leave the PC(USA) at Highland Park Presbyterian Church whether the case was strictly necessary. with minimal interaction with Grace since 2013. He was brought up on disci- Any member in good standing of a Presbytery. In the end the church and plinary charges in October aft er the infl u- presbytery may fi le disciplinary charges presbytery agreed to a settlement of $7.8 ential Dallas congregation chose to leave against another member of the presby- million. the PC(USA) in order to affi liate with the tery. In this instance there is nothing that What will happen to Rightmyer? An Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyte- required Tickner to fi le charges, but if he appeal can be fi led to the synod’s perma- rians (ECO). hadn’t then someone else would have. nent judicial commission, but the decision In January, aft er an investigation and People familiar with the case claim is unlikely to be overturned for legal and ecclesiastical trial, the Permanent Judicial the presbytery’s leadership hoped Right- political reasons. Rightmyer received the Commission of Grace Presbytery found myer would renounce the jurisdiction highest possible censure that the church him guilty of eight charges and acquitted of the PC(USA) rather than go to trial. can enforce, which seems to be more seri- him on three more. In Presbyterian polity, a renunciation of ous than the charges warranted when Th omas Tickner, Chairman of Grace jurisdiction is a unilateral act by a min- weighed against Rightmyer’s 40 years of Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry, ister that has the eff ect of giving up his or pastoral service. charged with providing oversight of Teach- her ordination. Rightmyer chose instead Th is trial reveals the state of the ing Elders, initiated the disciplinary case. to undergo the trial, to have his day in PC(USA), which has refused to try or to Th e eight charges on which Right- court, and to respond to the charges punish Teaching Elders who have violated myer was convicted are grouped around against him. the Constitution by engaging in same-sex actions related to Highland Park’s deci- Th ere was, in truth, a case to be sexual relationships, performing “mar- sion to depart the PC(USA). Each was answered. Highland Park did depart the riages” for gay couples, or teaching doc- alleged to violate vows taken by ministers PC(USA) inconsistent with the dismissal trines that cannot be called Christian. As upon ordination: policy. If the policy was fair, reasonable, former director of the PC(USA) Offi ce of 1. “Will you be governed by our and just, then it appears that Rightmyer Th eology and Worship Joseph D. Small, church’s polity, and will you abide and Highland Park acted improperly. who has held a number of key leader- by its discipline? Will you be a friend Grace Presbytery has a reputation for ship roles in the PC(USA) for more than among your colleagues in ministry, dealing harshly with churches that desire two decades, has noted, the PC(USA) as working with them, subject to the to leave the denomination and for vitriol a church has come to value procedure ordering of God’s Word and Spirit?” toward Teaching Elders who lead church- over theology, polity over the principles. (W 4.4003e) es from the denomination. Grace Presby- When a diverse community is attempting tery would rather take over a church, fi re to hang together by a single string—pol- 2. “Do you promise to further the a pastor, and change the locks, than bless ity—any attempt to navigate around or peace, unity, and purity of the a departing congregation. compromise that strand must be violently church?” (W 4.4003g) Th e Supreme Court of Texas has defended. Th e fi rst charge is advocating and established that Neutral Principles apply facilitating the church’s departure incon- in disputes over church property and Jeff Gissing is a sistent with the presbytery’s dismissal corporate governance. When Highland Presbyterian teaching policy. Th e presbytery alleged that Right- Park—a Texas corporation—held a meet- elder based in myer knew the policy and directed the ing of the corporation to make changes to Pennsylvania. congregation toward ignoring it and uni- the way it governed itself and to elect to laterally leaving. depart the PC(USA) the Court established

8 FAITH & FREEDOM | Spring 2015 RELIGIOUS LIBERTY SSexualexual LicenseLicense MandatesMandates AttackAttack CChristianhristian EducationalEducational IInstitutionsnstitutions bbyy RickRick J.J. PPlastererlasterer

Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, is fi nding that its policy requiring sexual abstinence outside of heterosexual marriage is becoming a barrier to accreditation and acceptance in the community. (Photo: Gordon College)

ot content with dismantling the that sexual license is a right and opposi- specifi cally refer to homosexuality.) But laws and policies that made Judeo- tion to it is oppression, such “discrimina- the advancing contrary opinion in Cana- NChristian morality the framework tion” can no longer be tolerated. “Cana- da holds that traditional Christian moral- of society, social liberals now seek to deny dian values” (never formally consented ity is off ensive and should not be enforced, traditional Christians the right to main- to by the people of Canada but assumed even in private Christian environments. tain their own private, voluntary institu- by the cultural left ) demand this. Apply- Meanwhile, in the United States, tions in which Christian sexual morality ing this standard across the board would Gordon College is experiencing a simi- is taught. Th e drama of institutions strug- mean that no institution in Canada could lar crisis. Th e school’s policy requiring gling to maintain their Christian identity function on a Christian basis. sexual abstinence from all sexual activ- in a hostile legal and social environment Opposition is especially fi erce from ity outside of heterosexual marriage is is being played out by two Christian col- the legal profession. Early in 2013, the becoming a barrier to accreditation and legiate institutions: Gordon College in deans of Canada’s law schools opposed acceptance in the community. In an Massachusetts and Trinity Western Uni- accreditation of the proposed TWU law interview with Christianity Today, Gor- versity in British Columbia. school for no other reason than TWU’s don’s president Michael Lindsay indicat- Several years ago a similar drama prohibition of homosexual activity. Hav- ed that his institution will spend the next played out in Canada, and it seemed to ing initially acquired the essential approv- year to 18 months reviewing its policy, have been resolved in favor of religious al of the Federation of Law Societies in including its prohibition of homosexual freedom. In 2008, the Christian Horizons Canada (FLSC) in 2013, TWU has contin- behavior, while reserving to itself the fi nal Evangelical charity in Ontario was told ued to encounter stiff opposition, and it determination, despite the threat to its by the Ontario Human Rights Commis- seems unclear whether the university will accreditation. sion that it could not require Christian prevail in opening a law school. Aft er the Th e LGBTQ polemic against Chris- morality of its staff (even though employ- law societies of Ontario and Nova Sco- tian morality is far-reaching; it has carried ees signed a promise to abide by com- tia declined to accept Trinity graduates, the day against enormous odds because mon Christian moral standards). Once Trinity headed back to court, citing the people are willing to “open-mindedly” outside the purview of the OHRC, how- Canadian Supreme Court’s 2001 decision listen to stories of suff ering. However, ever, Christian Horizons prevailed in the in favor of its teaching program, which a counter-polemic could be mounted regular court, with the court recognizing was the basis of the 2013 FLSC decision. about the suff ering that permissive sex- the charity’s purpose was Christian min- Meanwhile in British Columbia, a special ual behavior has caused. More impor- istry to the public and thus it must require meeting of that province’s law society was tantly, indeed, decisively for Christians, Christian faith and morality of its staff . called to overturn its earlier approval. Continued on page 16 Fast forward to today. Trinity West- Voting remotely, this was achieved. ern University’s covenant, among other TWU has defended its position as things (such as cultivating Christian vir- being in line with Canada’s 2005 Civil Rick J. Plasterer is a staff tues and addressing problem areas such as Marriage Act, which says that holding writer for the Institute on Religion and Democracy drugs and lewd entertainment), requires diverse views on marriage is not against that sexual expression be reserved for the “public interest.” (TWU’s covenant marriage between a man and a woman. restricts sexual activity to the marriage With “equality” now understood to mean of one man and one woman; it does not

Spring 2015 | FAITH & FREEDOM 9 Robert P. George is McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton, where he lectures on constitutional interpretation, civil liberties, and philosophy of law. (Photo: brandonvogt.com) 2014 Diane Knippers Memorial Lecture by Robert George: Marriage and Religious Liberty

Professor Robert George, an IRD emeritus the dignity of marriage, and religious persons and institutions that hold to the board member, holds Princeton Univer- freedom and other basic human rights. traditional view of marriage as a con- sity’s McCormick Chair in Jurisprudence She had all the right friends and all the jugal union. Such persons and institu- and is the founding director of the James right enemies. In fact, her friends and tions would simply be untouched by the Madison Program in American Ideals her enemies were alike a tribute to her. change. It won’t aff ect your marriage or and Institutions. He is vice chairman of She did not seek confl ict, but she never your life, we were told, if the law recog- the United States Commission on Interna- shrank from a fi ght when the principles nizes Henry and Herman or Sally and tional Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Dr. she believed in were under assault. She Sheila as “married.” It’s all just a matter of George delivered the fourth annual Diane could not be bought, nor could she be “live and let live.” Knippers Lecture on October 16 in Wash- bullied into acquiescence or silence. She Th ose off ering these assurances ington, D.C., honoring IRD’s late revered feared God, not men. And so she served were also claiming that the redefi nition president. him faithfully and well, all the days of her of marriage would have no impact on life. She was taken from us too soon—far the public understanding of marriage regard it as a great honor to be giving too soon—and yet her spirit lives on in as a monogamous and sexually exclu- this lecture in honor of the late Diane the work of the IRD, and we draw daily sive partnership. No one, they insisted, IKnippers. Not only was Diane one of inspiration from the example of Christian wanted to alter those traditional marital my dear friends, she was also one of my discipleship she set for us. norms. On the contrary, the redefi nition heroes. She dedicated herself sacrifi cially It was only yesterday, was it not, that of marriage would promote and spread to the fi ght to defend moral sanity and we were being assured that the redefi ni- those norms more broadly. No one was Christian orthodoxy. She was a warrior tion of marriage to include same-sex seeking to re-defi ne marriage, we were princess for the sanctity of human life, partnerships would have no impact on assured; the goal was merely to broaden

10 FAITH & FREEDOM | Spring 2015 the pool of people eligible to participate that were contrary to his or her moral grasp to consciously consider and reject in the institution. beliefs, or punished if he or she declined it—they uncritically conceive marriage When some of us warned that all to provide them. And no one was propos- precisely as sexual-romantic companion- of this was nonsense, and pointed out ing to recognize polyamorous relation- ship or domestic partnership, and they the myriad ways that Catholics, Evan- ships or normalize “open marriages,” nor can’t fathom how anyone could possibly gelicals, Mormons, Eastern Orthodox would redefi nition undermine the norms understand it in any other way. Th is is Christians, Orthodox Jews, Muslims, of sexual exclusivity and monogamy in despite the fact that the idea of marriage and others would be aff ected, and their theory or practice. as conjugal has historically been embod- opportunities and liberties restricted by Th at was then; this is now. ied in our matrimonial laws, and explains the legal recognition of same-sex partner- I must say, though, that I still can’t their content (not just the requirement of ships (and, relatedly, by the insertion of fathom why anybody believed any of it— spousal sexual complementarity, but also the concept of “sexual orientation” into even then. Th e whole argument was and rules concerning legal consummation anti-discrimination statutes and ordi- is that the idea of marriage as the union and annulability, norms of monogamy nances), our liberal friends accused us of husband and wife lacks a rational basis and sexual exclusivity, and the pledge of “scaremongering.” When we observed and amounts to nothing more than “big- permanence of commitment) in ways that that reducing marriage to a form of sex- otry.” Th erefore, no reasonable person the sexual-romantic domestic partner- ual-romantic companionship or domestic of goodwill can dissent from the liberal ship conception simply cannot. partnership (which is what happens when position on sex and marriage, any more Still, having adopted the sexual- sexual-reproduc- romantic domes- tive complemen- tic partnership tarity is banished idea, and seeing from the defi ni- no alternative tion) removes any possible concep- principled ground tion of marriage, for understand- they assume— ing marriage as and it is just that, a sexually exclu- an assumption, sive and faithful and a gratuitous union of two per- one—that no sons, and not an actual reason “open” partner- exists for regard- ship or a relation- ing sexual-repro- ship of three or ductive comple- more persons in a mentarity as polyamorous sex- integral to mar- ual ensemble, we riage. Aft er all, were charged with two men or two invalid slippery- women can have slope reasoning. a romantic inter- Remember? est in each other, No one, they live together in assured us, would a sexual part- The fourth annual Diane Knippers Memorial Lecture was held in the beautiful sanctuary of Mt. require Christian Vernon Place United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., on October 16, 2014. (Photo: Jeff nership, care for foster care and Walton / IRD) each other, and adoption services so forth. So why to place children than a reasonable person of goodwill can’t they be mar- in same-sex headed households. No one, could support racial segregation and sub- ried? Th ose who think otherwise, hav- they said, would require religiously affi li- ordination. And this, because marriage, ing no rational basis for their view, they ated schools and social-service agencies according to the re-defi ners, consists discriminate invidiously. By the same to treat same-sex partners as spouses, or principally of companionship of people token, if two men or two women can be impose penalties or disabilities on those committed to mutual aff ection and care. married, why can’t three or more people, that dissent. No one would be fi red from Any distinctions beyond this one they irrespective of sex, in polyamorous “tri- his or her job (or suff er employment condemn as baseless. ads,” “quadrads,” etc.? Since no reason discrimination) for voicing support for Since most liberals and even some supports the idea of marriage as a male- conjugal marriage or criticizing same- conservatives, it seems, apparently have female union or a partnership of two per- sex sexual conduct and relationships. no understanding at all of the idea of sons and not three or more, the motive of No business owner would be required to marriage as a conjugal relationship—a provide services for same-sex ceremonies one-fl esh union—not even enough of a Continued on the next page

Spring 2015 | FAITH & FREEDOM 11 Western marriage and seek . . . small Marriage and Religious Liberty group marriages.” Continued from page 15 In their statement “Beyond Same- Sex Marriage,” more than three hundred “LGBT and allied” scholars and advo- those insisting on these other “tradition- can have legal marital relationships with cates, including such prominent and al” norms must also be a dark and irra- more than one person, reciprocally or infl uential fi gures as Gloria Steinem, Bar- tional one. asymmetrically, themselves determin- bara Ehrenreich, and Kenji Yoshino, call My point that redefi ning “marriage” ing the sex and number of parties, the for legally recognizing as marriages or the as sexual-romantic companionship or type of relationship involved, and which equivalent sexual relationships involv- domestic partnership to accommodate rights and responsibilities to exchange ing more than two partners. Nor are same-sex relationships erodes the basis with each.” such relationships unheard of: Newsweek reports that there are more than fi ve hun- dred thousand in the United States alone. In Brazil, a public notary has recog- nized a trio of peo- ple as a civil union. Mexico City has considered expressly temporary marriage licenses. Th e Toronto District School Board treats polyamorous sexual partnerships as among the many valid forms of family structure in its cur- ricular materials. And what about the connection to family life? Writer E. J. Graff celebrates the fact that recogniz- ing same-sex unions would change the “institution’s mes- sage” so that it would “ever aft er stand for sexual choice, for cutting the link IRD staff and family members of the late IRD President Diane Knippers gather at a reception following the fourth between sex and dia- annual Diane Knippers Memorial Lecture at the Henley Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., on October 16, 2014. From pers.” Enacting same- left to right: IRD President Mark Tooley; Jeannette LeMasters, Diane Knippers’ sister-in-law; Knippers’ father Clar- sex marriage “does ence LeMasters; IRD Religious Liberty Program Director Faith McDonnell; Robert P. George; Knippers’ mother Vera more than just fi t; it LeMasters; Knippers’ widower Ed Knippers; Knippers’ nephew Erik LeMasters. (Photo: Jeff Walton / IRD) announces that mar- riage has changed for permanence and exclusivity in any Judith Stacey—a prominent New shape.” relationship is increasingly confi rmed York University professor who is in What about sexual exclusivity? by the rhetoric and arguments of advo- no way regarded as a fringe fi gure— Andrew Sullivan, a self-styled proponent cates of this view themselves, and by the in testifying before Congress against of the “conservative” case for same-sex policies that they are increasingly led the Defense of Marriage Act expressed marriage, has gone so far as to extol the to embrace. University of Arizona phi- hope that the redefi nition of marriage “spirituality” of “anonymous sex,” and wel- losophy professor Elizabeth Brake, for would give marriage “varied, creative, come the fact that the “openness” of same- example, supports what she calls “mini- and adaptive contours . . . [leading some sex unions might erode sexual exclusivity mal marriage,” in which “individuals to] question the dyadic limitations of among those in opposite-sex marriages.

12 FAITH & FREEDOM | Spring 2015 Similarly, in a New York Times Maga- zine profi le, same-sex marriage activist Dan Savage encourages spouses to adopt “a more fl exible attitude” about sex out- side their marriage. A piece in Th e Advo- cate, a gay-interest newsmagazine, sup- ports our point still more candidly: “Anti-equality right-wingers have long insisted that allowing gays to marry will destroy the sanctity of ‘traditional marriage,’ and, of course, the logical, liberal party-line response has long been ‘No, it won’t.’ But what if—for once—the sanctimonious crazies are right? Could the gay male tradition of open relation- ships actually alter marriage as we know it? And would that be such a bad thing?” Other advocates of redefi ning mar- riage have also embraced the goal of weak- ening the institution in these very terms. IRD President Mark Tooley offered an opening welcome to the fourth annual Diane Knip- “[Former President George W.] Bush pers Memorial Lecture. (Photo: Napp Nazworth / Christian Post) is correct,” says Victoria Brownworth, “. . . when he states that allowing same-sex open in saying that they do not see these liberty and the liberty of conscience—and couples to marry will weaken the insti- disputes about sex and marriage as hon- genuine equality are undermined. tution of marriage. . . . It most certainly est disagreements among reasonable peo- As I have said so oft en in the past, will do so, and that will make marriage ple of goodwill. Th ey are, rather, battles the fundamental error made by some a far better concept than it previously between the forces of reason, enlighten- supporters of conjugal marriage was has been.” Michel- ment, and equal- and is, I believe, to imagine that a grand angelo Signorile, ity—those who bargain could be struck with their oppo- another prominent would “expand nents: “We will accept the legal redefi ni- advocate of redefi n- the circle of inclu- tion of marriage; you will respect our ing marriage, urges The same-sex sion”—on one side, right to act on our consciences without people in same-sex and those of igno- penalty, discrimination, or civil disabili- relationships to marriage activist rance, bigotry, and ties of any type. Same-sex partners will “demand the right discrimination— get marriage licenses, but no one will be to marry not as a Dan Savage those who would forced for any reason to recognize those way of adhering exclude people out marriages or suff er discrimination or to society’s moral encourages of “hatred” or “ani- disabilities in employment, licensing, codes but rather to mus”—on the other. accreditation, government contracting, or debunk a myth and spouses to Th e “excluders” are any other area for declining to recognize radically alter an to be treated just them or become complicit in facilitating archaic institution.” adopt “a more as racists are treat- them.” Th ere was never any hope of such Th ey should “fi ght ed—since they are a bargain being accepted. Perhaps parts for same-sex mar- fl exible attitude” the equivalent of of such a bargain would be accepted by riage and its ben- racists. Of course, liberal forces temporarily for strategic efi ts and then, once about sex we (in the United or tactical reasons, as part of the politi- granted, redefi ne States, at least) cal project of getting marriage redefi ned; the institution of outside their don’t put racists in but guarantees of religious liberty and marriage complete- jail for expressing non-discrimination for people who can- ly, because the most marriage. their opinions—we not in conscience accept same-sex mar- subversive action respect the First riage could then be eroded and eventu- lesbians and gay Amendment; but we ally removed. Aft er all, “full equality” men can undertake don’t hesitate to stig- requires that no quarter be given to the . . . is to transform matize them and impose various forms “bigots” who want to engage in “dis- the notion of ‘family’ entirely.” of social and even civil disability upon crimination” (people with a “separate Th us, many advocates of redefi ni- them and their institutions. In the name but equal” mindset) in the name of their tion, sensing that they have now won and of “marriage equality” and “non-discrim- there is no turning back, are increasingly ination,” liberty—especially religious Continued on the next page

Spring 2015 | FAITH & FREEDOM 13 And so, as Dean Robert Vischer of Marriage and Religious Liberty the University of St. Th omas Law School Continued from page 15 has observed, “Th e tension between reli- gious liberty and gay rights is a thorny problem that will continue to crop up retrograde religious beliefs. “Dignitarian” areas) that, from the point of view of in our policy debates for the foresee- harm must be opposed as resolutely as liberal secularist doctrine, cannot be able future. Dismissing religious liberty more palpable forms of harm. made available to them if they refuse to concerns as the progeny of a ‘separate but equal’ mind- set does not bode well for the future course of those debates.” Th at, in my opinion, is to put it mildly. But there is, in my opinion, no chance— no chance—of persuading champions of sexual libera- tion (and it should be clear by now that this is the cause they serve), that they should respect, or permit the law to respect, the conscience rights of those with whom they dis- agree. Look at it from their point of view: Why should we permit “full equality” to be trumped by bigotry? Why should we recognize a “right to discriminate”? Why should we respect religions and reli- gious institutions that are “incubators of homophobia”? Bigotry, religiously based or Vera LeMasters (left) mother of the late Diane Knippers, at the lecture on defending marriage, life, and religious liberty. (Photo: Napp Nazworth / Christian Post) not, must be eradicated. Th e law should certainly not give it recognition or lend it any There is a reason for this: Liberal conform themselves to the demands of standing or dignity. Why should those secularism never was and never will be liberal ideology. who hold bigoted views be permitted to what the late John Rawls depicted it as Of course, there will be some within hold faculty positions at colleges, univer- being and hoped it would be, namely, a the liberal community—Rawlsians and sities, or in law schools? Why should they purely political doctrine, as opposed to others—who will try to make some room even be permitted to speak or be heard what he called a comprehensive view— for meaningful dissent, even in practice on campuses? Why should they be toler- a view of human nature, meaning, dig- and not just in thought and speech. And ated in print or broadcast media, whether nity, and destiny—that competes with they will make various arguments—prin- news or entertainment, in law fi rms, or in other comprehensive views. Nowhere is cipled and practical—for why what might the corporate world? the reality of contemporary liberalism be described as the church of liberal secu- Of course, people who hold conserva- as a comprehensive doctrine—a secu- larism should avoid being too draconian tive views on moral issues have long expe- larist religion—more plainly on display in its treatment of heretics and dissent- rienced discrimination in all these areas. than in the moral-cultural struggle over ers. But they will lose the battle. Th e very But until recently, the discriminators felt marriage and sexual morality. Liberal success of the movement to which they it necessary to pretend that they did not secularism will tolerate other compre- have given their allegiance will reinforce practice discrimination. “Why are there hensive views so long as they present the belief among their compatriots that no moral conservatives on your faculty?” no challenge or serious threat to its the movement’s victories were victo- “Oh, it must be because they aren’t bright own most cherished values. But when ries of righteousness over evildoers, and or accomplished enough.” Or: “Th ey love they do, they must be smashed—in the expressions of dissent, even small ones, money more than ideas, so they gravitate name, for example, of “equality” or pre- will increasingly be perceived not only as towards business, not academic life.” Or: venting “dignitarian harm”—and their deeply wicked, but as presenting a grave “Gosh, I don’t know. It’s just a mystery.” faithful must be reduced to a dhimmi- and intolerable danger to the order of “Why are there so few people in Holly- like status in respect of opportunities goodness that was, aft er a long struggle wood who hold, or reveal that they hold, (in employment, contracting, and other and at great cost, achieved.

14 FAITH & FREEDOM | Spring 2015 conservative views on moral questions?” federal courts impose same-sex “mar- “the American people will inevitably “Oh, well, that’s another one of those riage” throughout the country without accept abortion as a matter of women’s impenetrable mysteries. Really just beats our robed masters in the Marble Temple rights and social hygiene”—proved spec- me. I mean, it’s not as if there is a black taking responsibility for the preposterous tacularly false. list or anything like that.” But increas- claim that Americans actually redefi ned Or, speaking of “social hygiene,” let ingly it will be unnecessary to dissemble marriage in 1868 when they ratifi ed the us think back to the 1920s and 30s when or maintain these pretenses. Th e answer 14th Amendment—without so much as eugenics was embraced by the elite insti- will simply be, “we don’t tolerate bigots the slightest awareness that they were or tutions of American society—from the around here.” even might be doing it. wealthy philanthropic foundations, to the Th e lesson, it seems to me, for those Anyway, I think that defeatism, mainline Protestant denominations, to of us who believe that the conjugal con- though understandable in our current the Supreme Court of the United States. ception of marriage is true and good, grim condition, is another mistake—one Affl uent, sophisticated, “right-minded” and who wish to protect the rights of our that sexual liberals have every reason people were all on board with the eugen- faithful and of our institutions to honor to encourage their opponents to make, ics program. It, too, seemed like a jug- that belief in carrying out their vocations and ample resources to promote. We’ve gernaut. “Th ree generations of imbeciles and missions, is that there is no [was] enough.” Only those retro- alternative to winning the battle grade Catholics, joined by some in the public square over the legal other backward religious folk—the defi nition of marriage—however IRD-types of the day—resisted; dark and even hopeless the cause The “grand bargain” and the thought was that the back looks, and even if the time hori- of their resistance would soon be zon is fi ft y or a hundred years. Th e is an illusion we should broken by the sheer rationality of “grand bargain” is an illusion we the eugenics idea. Th e eugenicists should dismiss from our minds. dismiss from our minds. were certain that their adversaries And even if we won’t, it will soon were on “the wrong side of histo- be blasted out of our minds by And even if we won’t, ry.” Th e full acceptance of eugen- the harsh realities that will now ics was “inevitable.” But, of course, descend upon dissenters from the it will soon be blasted things didn’t quite turn out that new liberal orthodoxy. Th ere will way. be more Brendan Eichs [the CEO out of our minds by the Note that my point here is of Mozilla, developer of the Firefox not to say or imply that redefi ning Web browser, who was forced out harsh realities that will marriage is morally just like abor- of the company he co-founded by tion or eugenics. Th ere are obvi- outrage over his support of the now descend upon ous and important diff erences. My anti-same-sex marriage Proposi- point is about the claim by pro- tion 8 ballot initiative in Califor- dissenters from the new gressives and some others in each nia], more people who are made case that the triumph of the cause examples of so that others, fearful liberal orthodoxy.. was “inevitable,” and that those of the consequences for their live- who declined to go along were lihoods and relationships, won’t “against progress” and had placed even consider expressing dissent. themselves on the “wrong side of Indeed, the ultimate goal of pun- all heard the argument (or taunt): “Th e history.” ishing the public dissenters is to margin- acceptance of same-sex marriage on a Does that mean that the reverse is alize and stigmatize dissent itself to the national scale is inevitable. It’s a done true, that the conjugal conception of point that people will be deterred even deal. You had better get on the right side marriage, and the understanding of sex- from entertaining it in the privacy of their of history, lest you be remembered in the ual morality and integrity of which it is own minds. company of Orville Faubus.” part, will eventually prevail in law and Of course, with sexual liberalism now Of course, this is what we were told culture? No. Th ere is nothing inevitable so powerfully entrenched in the estab- about the so-called “woman’s right to in this domain. As the left -wing—but lished institutions of the elite sector of our abortion” in the mid-1970s. And many anti-Hegelian—Brazilian legal theorist culture (and fully embraced by the Presi- demoralized pro-life people initially Roberto Unger used to preach to us in dent of the United States and the Demo- believed it. But it didn’t turn out that way. courses at Harvard Law School, the future cratic Party and funded by innumerable A greater percentage of Americans are will be the fruit of human deliberation, hedge fund billionaires and corporate pro-life today than in the 1970s, and young judgment, and choice; it is not subject to titans), some view the defense of marriage people are more pro-life than people of fi xed laws of history and forces of social as a lost cause. Th at is particularly true their parents’ generation. Th e idea pro- determinism. As the Marxists learned in the wake of the recent shameful deci- moted by the abortion lobby when their sion of the Supreme Court to let the lower cause seemed to be a juggernaut—that Continued on the next page

Spring 2015 | FAITH & FREEDOM 15 Catholic philosopher Robert P. George of Princeton University delivered the Institute on Religion & Democracy’s annual Diane Knippers Lecture. George chairs the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and is a prolifi c writer on the topics of marriage, life, and religious liberty. (Photo: Napp Nazworth / Christian Post)

Marriage and Religious Liberty what is wrong is in the GOP’s DNA. Slavery was wicked because it denied the Continued from page 15 basic humanity and dignity of an entire class of human beings, just as the abor- the hard way, the reality of human free- that our adversaries, having now won a tion license does today. Polygamy was dom is the permanent foiler of “inevi- complete lock on the Democratic Party, unacceptable because it undermined the tability” theses. Same-sex marriage and will now devote their attention and for- principle of marriage as a truly conjugal the assaults on liberty and equality that midable resources to making inroads relationship—a permanent and exclusive follow in its wake are “inevitable” only if among Republicans. We must defeat one-fl esh union of husband and wife. You defenders of marriage make their adver- those eff orts, making clear to the Repub- see, the relics have not disappeared. Th ey saries’ prophecies self-fulfi lling ones, by lican establishment that our loyalty to the have simply taken on new forms. And we buying into them. Party is conditional on the Party’s fi delity must stand against them today with Lin- So my call to supporters of marriage to its principles. colnian conviction and determination to and religious liberty this evening is to Let us remind Republicans that their prevail—no matter the cost, no matter stand up, speak out, fi ght back, resist! Do party was founded as a party of moral how long it takes. It will not be easy. And, not be demoralized. Refuse to be intimi- conviction—pledged to fi ght the twin rel- to worldly eyes, the horizon looks bleak. dated. Speak moral truth to cultural, ics of barbarism, slavery and polygamy. But “mine eyes have seen the glory, of the political, and economic power. Openly Standing for what is right and against coming of the Lord.” love what is good and defy and resist whatever opposes and threatens it. Be prepared, if it comes to it, to pay the cost of discipleship. Stand together with any- Sexual License Mandates Attack Christian one of any faith—Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Educational Institutions Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain—who will Continued from page 9 stand with you to uphold marriage and defend freedom. Be gentle as doves, to be sure, but cunning as serpents. Be relent- God’s standard given in Scripture is that can no longer carry out its function less in your determination to defend obedience to him regardless of pain. should close its doors. Th e free exercise of what is right in the courts and in the A Christian institution is, by its (not just belief in) Christian faith is clearly streets, on the blogs and in the legislative very nature, a follower of Christ, just as being denied if Christian institutions are chambers. a Christian individual is, by defi nition, a prohibited from maintaining Christian Pray ceaselessly. Work to elect cham- follower of Christ. It cannot tolerate sin standards. Freedom of religion means pions of life, marriage, and religious lib- in its midst any more than a church can. nothing if unpopular religious beliefs and erty. Fight to keep the Republican Party Indeed, a Christian university, as a com- practices are not tolerated; indeed, no faithful to the moral principles that have munity of Christians, is a kind of church. freedom is needed for beliefs that off end drawn so many former Democrats into it Its primary duty is to God, and painful no one. over the past three decades. Remember though it may be, a Christian institution

16 FAITH & FREEDOM | Spring 2015 UNITED METHODIST Where Did New United Methodist Ministers Attend Seminary? by John Lomperis

hat sort of theological training its numbers fall rather signifi cantly in the Senate would do better to actually look has shaped the new clergy com- intervening four years, while Asbury’s into why so few United Methodist semi- Wing through Th e United Meth- numbers rose very slightly. narians want to go to liberal denomina- odist Church’s ordination pipeline? Th ere is some inevitable lag time tional seminaries like Boston University I recently obtained offi cial statistics before diff erences in current student School of Th eology, despite all the denom- from Th e United Methodist Church’s enrollment aff ect the proportion of inational pressure and fi nancial incen- General Board of Higher Education and alumni fi nally ordained a couple years tives to do so. Th e University Senate’s Ministry (GBHEM) about where United or more aft er graduation. Th us, while removing of evangelical Gordon-Conwell Methodists ordained in the United States United Th eological Seminary has rela- Th eological Seminary from the approved in 2013 received their seminary education. tively unimpressive numbers for the 2013 list 16 years ago—despite its being a major Th is includes a relatively small minority ordination class, in the near future we national seminary with many United (less than fi ve percent of the total) who can expect a very diff erent picture, given Methodist ties and an impressive track- received their ministerial education via how rapidly that seminary’s enrollment record in urban and multi-cultural min- the denomination’s “Course of Study” has increased since its newfound and still istry—was a signifi cant blow against rather than the more traditional route of rather recent institutional commitment faithfulness and eff ective ministry within obtaining an M.Div degree. to historic Christian orthodoxy. Th e United Methodist Church. To be fair, A couple of summary observations Th e other denomination educating we probably did not lose much when lib- are worth highlighting. the most United Methodist ordinands is eral seminaries like Andover-Newton Asbury Th eological Seminary, an the Presbyterian Church (USA), whose were also de-listed. independent, strongly evangelical insti- seminaries educated 25 (6.04%) of the tution in the Methodist tradition, main- UMC class of 2013. Number of tains its dominant position. Of the 414 Another 13 (3.14%) attended either School Ordinands % of Total members of the ordination class of 2013, a Southern Baptist or an independent, Duke 41 9.90% 64 (15.46%) went to Asbury, which is more expressly evangelical seminary (Ashland, Perkins 38 9.18% than seven of our denomination’s thir- Fuller, George Fox, and Gordon-Conwell). Candler 34 8.21% teen offi cial U.S. seminaries (Boston Uni- Of course, plenty of people sur- Garrett 23 5.56% versity School of Th eology, Claremont, vive theological schools of a certain Saint Paul 17 4.11% Drew, Gammon, Iliff , the Methodist bent without ultimately refl ecting the MTSO 16 3.86% Th eological School of Ohio, and United) dominant perspective within their alma Wesley 16 3.86% combined, continuing a long-time trend mater. Aft er all, I’m an evangelical United United 12 2.90% on which I have reported earlier. Th is Methodist who aft er three years of ultra- Drew 11 2.66% means between one-in-seven and one- liberal Harvard Divinity School was no Iliff 10 2.42% in-six newly ordained United Methodist less theologically conservative than I was Boston 6 1.45% ministers are Asburians. when I began. Claremont 4 0.97% Meanwhile, Claremont School of Which non-UMC seminaries United Gammon 4 0.97% Th eology and Iliff School of Th eology, Methodist seminarians choose is shaped Total UMC 232 56.04% arguably our denomination’s most theo- in large part by our denomination’s Uni- logically radicalized seminaries, which versity Senate. Th is body regularly decides Asbury 64 15.46% we prop up with a lot of off ering-plate which non-UMC schools will have their All other schools 118 28.50% apportionments each year, educated only degrees accepted for United Method- 4 (0.97%) and 10 (2.42%), respectively, of ist ordination. Over the years, they have Grand Total 414 100.00% the 2013 ordinands. removed a number of schools from the With 41 alumni entering the ranks “approved” list, with decisions seemingly John Lomperis directs the of the ordained, Duke Divinity School driven by short-sighted institutional pro- UMAction program at maintains its position at the top of the tectionism—and perhaps theologically the Institute on Religion & UMC seminaries. Compared to a simi- liberal biases—rather than what is best Democracy. lar study of the ordination class of 2009 for our seminarians or the long-term mis- (which separately listed those ordained sion of our church. Rather than rushing through the Course of Study), Duke saw to eliminate “competitors,” the University

Spring 2015 | FAITH & FREEDOM 17 RELIGIOUS LIBERTY Sudanese activists share information about Suda- nese government offi cials outside the National Prayer Breakfast. (Photo: Faith McDonnell/IRD)

stand in witness against this outrage. BBreakfastreakfast GGuestsuests aandnd Our small band of protesters—including PPartyarty Crashers:Crashers: ProtestingProtesting Sudanese from Darfur, Nuba Mountains, Blue GGenocidalenocidal SSudaneseudanese LLeadereader Nile State, Nubia, and elsewhere—was dwarfed by hundreds of Bud- aatt NNationalational PPrayerrayer BBreakfastreakfast dhists either welcoming bbyy FaithFaith MMcDonnellcDonnell or protesting the Dalai Lama. We feared we’d be completely drowned out his year’s National Prayer Breakfast, Nor were most other Breakfast guests by the constant drum- held on February 5, included issues aware that before he was foreign minister, ming and chants of “False Dalai Lama, Tthat ranged from President Obama’s Karti was the commander of a jihadist Keep Religion Free!” from protesters who mention of “Crusader” Christians and the militia, the Popular Defense Force (PDF) were very possibly funded by the Chinese presence of the Dalai Lama on one hand, in the 1990s. Th e PDF was used by the Communist government. But we managed to the stirring testimony of NASCAR Sudanese government to attack South to speak out strongly for two hours with driver Darrell Waltrip and the powerful Sudanese villages. In fact, as President signs and chants of our own. Th en, aft er prayer of Ebola Doctor Kent Brantley on Obama condemned slavery in America, breakfast, when the presidential motor- the other. But another Breakfast guest at Karti, the head of slave raids whose troops cade had taken off , six of us went into the the huge event held at the Washington rode into South Sudanese villages on their hotel to attempt to tell Prayer Breakfast Hilton was even more controversial – if “high horses” to kill the men and take the attendees the truth about one of their fel- you consider participation in genocide women and children for the slave trade, low guests. We had fl yers to distribute to and mass atrocities controversial, that is. sat listening as an honored guest. And those who expressed an interest. Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed that was not the only irony connected to We did not get very far before we were Karti, a hardcore Islamist with a long his- Karti’s presence at the Breakfast. stopped and told to leave by a hotel secu- tory of crimes against humanity, was invit- Remembrance of the 100th anni- rity offi cer. He herded us out of the hotel ed by Breakfast organizers, Th e Fellow- versary of the Armenian genocide was a and down the driveway to the sidewalk, ship Foundation. Karti not only attended Prayer Breakfast theme, but inviting an threatening that we would be arrested the Breakfast, which is offi cially hosted by offi cial from what is arguably the world’s if we crashed that party again! Th e only members of the U.S. Congress, but used most genocidal regime was an insult to bright spot was that our protests were the occasion to infl uence the thinking of both the massacred Armenians and the noted. Karti’s spokesman whined to the Congress members, naïve Christian lead- millions of victims of religious, racial, Sudan Tribune that the protesters were ers, and others on his genocidal regime. and ethnic genocide in Sudan and South Sudanese opposition and pressure groups Another regime leader, Ibrahim Ghan- Sudan who share a common enemy. And known for their hostility to Sudan. dour, was also reportedly coming to town this offi cial is directly implicated in not IRD’s Church Alliance for a New at the invitation of the State Department, one, not two, but three genocidal cam- Sudan will continue to post information, but did not come to the Prayer Breakfast. paigns: South Sudan, Darfur, and today in counter the disinformation of the Khar- Karti’s spokesman in Khartoum said the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile State. toum regime, and hopefully open the eyes that he briefed Prayer Breakfast partici- An offi cial from a designated Terror- of Christians whose desire for reconcilia- pants about such issues as “the govern- ist-List nation should simply not be given tion with certain individuals has blinded ment eff orts to end war in Darfur and the a visa to the United States. Th e Sudanese them to the truth that is known by mil- Two Areas [Nuba Mountains and Blue regime not only terrorizes its own civil- lions of victims of those individuals. Nile State].” Presumably he did not tell ians, but is a key player in global terrorism Faith J. H. McDonnell is them that “government eff orts to end war” and jihad—another fact of which many the Director of Religious include constant aerial bombardment of people seem unaware. IRD’s Church Alli- Liberty Programs at the civilians, starvation, mass rape, and other ance for a New Sudan sponsored a dem- Institute on Religion & egregious actions to obliterate the black, onstration outside the Prayer Breakfast Democracy. African populations in those regions. for Sudanese and American advocates to

18 FAITH & FREEDOM | Spring 2015 ANGLICAN Anglican Building Boom Quietly Underway by Jeff Walton

llinois Anglicans received welcome church building in September, were not news recently: Th e state Supreme in existence during the height of Epis- ICourt will let stand a lower court rul- copal Church litigation. ing that awarded a diocesan endowment A handful of other congregations, and property to the Anglican Diocese of including All Saints Anglican Church Quincy. Th e decision matches similar rul- in Charlotte, NC, Holy Trinity Angli- ings in Texas and South Carolina that have can Church in Raleigh, NC, Trinity favored Anglicans there. Anglicans’ recent Anglican Church in Lago Vista, TX, good fortune at the courthouse is a dra- and Saint John’s Anglican Church of matic change from years of mostly losing Americus, GA, have also announced property trials to the Episcopal Church. building plans. Th is summer All Saints’ But while property lawsuits have been Anglican Church in Springfi eld, MO, newsmakers in Anglican circles, several and All Saints’ Anglican Church in congregations have quietly pursued new Peachtree City, GA, completed and building projects. In a denomination in consecrated new church buildings. Parishioner Tom Syvertsen and grandson which school cafeterias and storefronts Th e churches range from a modest Jack Dinnie sign wooden boards before have been regular places of worship, the colonial-revival brick building in the case fl ooring is installed last June in the new construction of new church spaces estab- of Restoration to a 30,000-square-foot sanctuary of Restoration Anglican Church in Arlington, VA, . (Photo: Jeff Walton/IRD) lishes a physical footprint in the commu- gothic structure built for the congrega- nities these churches serve. tion of St. Peter’s. to all believers” and a sign of a vibrant Construction of new church buildings In addition to making the churches Christian presence in Tallahassee. by Anglicans runs counter to nationwide more visible in their communities and Th e Anglican church buildings under trends, in which the building of new hous- accommodating growth in the size of construction each point to diff erent parts es of worship has decreased rapidly since congregations, the new structures facili- of the Christian tradition. St. Peter’s went 2002. According to the Wall Street Journal, tate new programs and events. St. Peter’s with a more ornate design recalling clas- construction of religious buildings in the is partnering with Trinity School for sical English gothic structures. U.S. has fallen to the lowest level at any time Ministry to off er theological education “It struck us from very early on that since records were kept beginning in 1967. far from the seminary’s Pennsylvania modern churches strive far too hard to Much of the new construction has campus. Other congregations plan to use do ‘contemporary worship’ in a way that occurred in the southeast, which may be their new spaces for conferences, or to seeks to be ‘relevant,’” Rowell explained of a consequence of both population growth begin off ering programs such as Vacation the design process. “Such eff orts are not there and a shortage of available existing Bible School, which were impractical to the nature of who we are as a community.” church structures. In other parts of the host in leased spaces. St. Peter’s strove to design a building United States, Anglicans seeking places of “Our new church is just the begin- that was distinctively Christian and in worship have purchased unused church ning of what we hope to build,” explained keeping with worship rooted in ancient properties rather than building entirely Fr. Andrew Rowell, associate rector of St. Anglican ways. new ones. Peter’s Anglican Church. Rowell explained “We believe strongly that it is the Th e building activity ranges from that the next phase of construction will distinctiveness of Anglican liturgy, when small churches such as a $2 million proj- be a parish hall that will accommodate a done with joy and energy and real faith, ect by St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in chapel, auditorium, gathering space for the that draws people and so, of course, we Heathsville, Virginia, where the depart- parish, and expanded classroom space. wanted to build a building that refl ects who ing congregation lost their former prop- “In sum, we hope that we soon, by we think we are,” Rowell explained while erty to the Episcopal Diocese, to large God’s grace, have a campus that repre- describing the English gothic church. parishes like St. Peter’s Anglican Church sents the new life that our Lord is breath- in Tallahassee, Florida, which recently ing into Anglicanism in America,” Rowell completed a $12 million project for a con- summarized. Jeffrey H. Walton is the gregation that was newly begun outside Rowell shared that many Christians Communications Manager of the Episcopal denomination. Several of from other denominations have expressed and Anglican Program the newer congregations, including Res- joy and excitement as the new gothic Director at the Institute on Religion & Democracy. toration Anglican Church in Arlington, church has been built, and he hopes the Virginia, which completed a $4.7 million new structure will be “an encouragement

Spring 2015 | FAITH & FREEDOM 19 EVANGELICAL Natural Family Planning’s Surprise Comeback by Chelsen Vicari n preparation for my upcoming synthetic hormones? No! Take them outspoken leaders on women’s issues marriage, I am researching Fertility yourself via a highly concentrated white say, “Hey, because women are people, IAwareness Methods (FAM)—more pill? Yes, please, but I can only wash them too, I believe they deserve to know that commonly called Natural Family down with organic juice. Chemical free.” according to the National Cancer Insti- Planning (NFP)—in earnest. NFP is Th e overall number of women using tute, oral contraception increases wom- a birth control method based on the NFP remains small. However, CNN en’s risk for ovarian cancer, breast can- observation of natural signs and symp- reported that a University of Iowa study cer, cervical cancer, and liver cancer.” toms of a woman’s ovulation cycle. No found that if more women knew about Th is year the annual March for chemicals. No treatments. No devices. NFP, one in fi ve women would seriously Life theme is “Every life is a gift .” As I’ll be honest; NFP is a com- evangelicals, our hearts plex method that takes dis- agree that this message is cipline and commitment. true, but our fl esh acts coun- But it off ers an alternative to They champion ter to it. Our society tells us the negative ethical, physi- that children are expensive, cal, and emotional eff ects taxpayer funded chemical troublesome, and diminish that lurk behind the conve- contraception despite its our own goals and dreams nience of the Pill. rather than enhance them. Most evangelical infringement on health and We ignore the medical warn- women haven’t collectively ing signs in the pursuit of considered NFP as a via- conscience. independence, cleared acne, ble alternative to chemi- and lighter menstruation cal contraception, so I was symptoms. surprised to read CNN’s report last consider the method as an alternative to We may not disagree with these January covering NFP’s recent rise in the Pill. sentiments (in public at least), but just popularity among secular women. Th e article addresses women’s con- as the secular organic vegans ironi- In the CNN article entitled, “For cerns regarding NFP’s ineff ectiveness. But cally struggle to let go of their chemical Birth Control, What’s Old Is New with new technologies (yes, there is even an contraception habits, so too do evan- Again,” author Nadia Kounang notes app for that!), tracking ovulation is becom- gelicals. (Note: NFP can also be used the “growing movement of young ing easier and more precise. A helpful 2007 with an immoral, selfi sh attitude. But women who are saying no to hormonal German study tracking 900 women using for this discussion, we are focusing birth control and yes to a kind of birth NFP over a 20-year period showed a 98 on NFP’s use for spacing of children control that sounds at fi rst like a real percent eff ective rate, reported CNN. for optimal health as an alternative to throwback with a little extra high-tech Another sentiment shared by the chemical contraception.) twist.” women using NFP who spoke with CNN NFP certainly isn’t a quick fi x to Secular women are recognizing was that they felt a lack of support from the moral, ethical, and health dilem- the serious health risks associated with their community. I and the few other mas that accompany the Pill. But with chemical contraception that have been women who opt for NFP instead of the its popular resurgence in secular soci- ignored for far too long. “I’m a healthy Pill, have found this to be true in our ety, perhaps evangelical women and person,” 25 year-old Aisha Mukooza evangelical circles as well. their men will fi nally start talking told CNN. “I try to eat healthy food, Some of today’s evangelical feminists, about the benefi ts of Natural Family so the idea of being pumped with syn- who are sometimes called Jesus Feminists, Planning. thetic hormones didn’t appeal to me, even tell us that chemical contraception is in fact, it was scary.” the best method. Th ey champion taxpayer Chrissy Wing, writing for Ethika funded chemical contraception despite its Chelsen Vicari directs Politika, off ered this satiric comment infringement on health and conscience. the Evangelical Action program at the Institute on the paradox of women whose trendy Sadly, an authenticity about contra- on Religion and healthy lifestyles include the Pill: “Eat ception is generally lost among the evangel- Democracy. the meat of a cow that has consumed ical feminists in our circles. Rarely do these

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