# Fuck You, Agape Press **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 10, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761 "2003-06-10T01:42:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/1 "2003-06-10T01:42:19Z")
I’d intended to do a GD story based on the fact that the Diocese of New Hampshire of my church, the Episcopal Church, has just elected a gay man as their Bishop. And I went looking for a news story to hang the OP on. [This](http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/afa/92003a.asp) is what I found. Herewith, the first three paragraphs: > [@](#): > > “Open rebellion against God.” That’s how the head of a conservative Episcopal group is reacting to the election this weekend of an open homosexual as the denomination’s next bishop in New Hampshire. > > The Episcopal Church USA is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, whose bishops five years ago approved a resolution calling homosexual behavior “incompatible with scripture.” [see note – Poly] But on Saturday, Episcopal clergy and laymen gathered in Concord, New Hampshire, and chose V. Gene Robinson to be their new bishop. > > Robinson has been an open homosexual since 1986, when he divorced his wife with whom he had two daughters. He and his “partner,” Mark Andrew, have been together for 13 years. The Lambeth Conference of 1998, whose decisions are not binding on our church, but which is listened to with respect, did **not** adopt such a resolution. Details are in John Shelby Spong’s autobiography, _Here I Stand_ – and I’m too irritated to get the exact story and quote it. > [@](#): > > David Moyer is president of the group Forward in Faith, an association of Anglicans with conservative views. He calls Robinson’s election “an open rebellion against God’s created order and the teachings of the church.” David Moyer is also a deposed priest who was in open rebellion against his bishop and was thrown out of the church he was rector of. What he is, is a self-promoting rabble-rouser. I have to give them credit – in a nine paragraph article, they managed to do objective reporting in one paragraph. And note that there is not a single word that might suggest that the man is any good at what he does, nor that there are strong supporters of him and of the ministry of gay men and women in our church. Assmunches. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/2 "2003-06-10T01:47:34Z")
Man, where’s the _agape_? I am agape with outrage! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/3 "2003-06-10T01:50:07Z")
:eek: Don’t hold back, Manyfishes. Tell us how you _really_ feel. I agree, though. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/4 "2003-06-10T02:00:30Z")
I became a member of the Episcopal Church _because_ of their liberal views on homosexuality and women in the church. This stupid article is doing a huge disservice as I hope this man does NOT speak for the majority of Episcopalians. He certainly does NOT speak for me and never will. Ava ---
**Author:** ![lel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8797f3/32.png) [@lel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lel)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/5 "2003-06-10T02:29:57Z")
**Polycarp** , did you expect any better from Agape Press? That is pretty typical Agape Press tripe, after all. (The above is IMO. YMMV, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/6 "2003-06-10T03:15:21Z")
I’m still in shock over that thread title. Poly, don’tcha think you’ve been hanging around with the rest of us a little too long? :eek: I’ll third the “Whad’ya expect from Agape Press?” responses. I’m real interested that your diocese elected Robinson. I’d’ve put money on it not happening. ---
**Author:** ![Nomadic\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/858c86/32.png) [@Nomadic\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nomadic_One)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/7 "2003-06-10T03:40:27Z")
wow. ---
**Author:** ![BadBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@BadBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBaby)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/8 "2003-06-10T03:48:19Z")
Yeah really, Polycarp-- you used a dirty word! Of course they _deserved_ it, but still… I need a moment to assimilate this cursing Polycarp. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/9 "2003-06-10T03:51:10Z")
Ugh. It’s no secret that I have no horse in the religion race, but I feel for you, **Poly** , and for the battles you wage every day (as an atheist, pro-gay Republican, I think I might have a small sense of your task. 🙂 ). And yeah, what **kung fu lola** said. What a waste of a great name for a press outlet. Can someone who actually understands agape sue them to get it back or something? ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/10 "2003-06-10T04:04:56Z")
It wasn’t my diocese – mine’s North Carolina (which covers the central part of the state). However, he’s a bishop of my church; my diocese’s Standing Committee will have to approve or reject his election (along with 80 or so others; he needs confirmation of his election by a majority of dioceses to take office). And yeah, realizing now that it’s Wildmon’s house organ, I could expect nothing but. However, it is so #%#% annoying that they misrepresent everything, always pick up on the same few naysayers… **Manny** , you’re a NYC Republican; that absolves you from the national Grumpy Old Party’s bizarreries. I’d probably shock the Jefferson County NY Republican Party by letting them know I’m a registered Democrat down here – but it would be an insult to a progressive group of Ice Age hominids to refer to the N.C. Republicans as Neanderthals – they’re stuck somewhere around Kenyapithecus IMHO! **Dropzone** , I use profanity sparingly, and only when it’s the sole method of adequately expressing my emotions. This is one of those times. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/11 "2003-06-10T04:18:48Z")
Poly: I’m curious about something, though. What’s Reverend Robinson’s prospects of being sustained by the church’s delegates? ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/12 "2003-06-10T07:07:32Z")
“Fuck You”, “Agape” and “ **Polycarp** ” all in that order. I thought I was in heaven last week when I saw **Polycarp** ’s name being associated with hatred, violence, and knives. Thanks for being you, **Polycarp**. I sometimes miss being able to stereotype Christians, but your posts more than make up for it. I reserve the right to change my mind if I wind up re-reading “The Screwtape Letters” over the weekend. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/13 "2003-06-10T12:34:52Z")
I second the motion, **Ppolycarp**. Agape Press, you might want to rename your enterprise to something more in keeping with your views. . . Phobia Press, perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/14 "2003-06-10T12:44:11Z")
Wow. Polycarp swore. I’m kind of expecting Agape press to be demolished by enraged she-bears now. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/15 "2003-06-10T12:59:04Z")
Oh, Lord … “Forward in Faith” crawling out of the woodwork again? (Better known to UK Anglicans as “Backwards in Bigotry”.) My sister and her husband are members. It’s _really_ embarrassing. And that article is despicable. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/16 "2003-06-10T13:00:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Polycarp \* > \*\*David Moyer is also a deposed priest who was in open rebellion against his bishop and was thrown out of the church he was rector of. \*\* Any more info on this point? What was the rebellion about? Grim ---
**Author:** ![IzzyR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@IzzyR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IzzyR)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/17 "2003-06-10T13:16:04Z")
Looks like a perfectly reasonable and balanced article to me. If this is indeed published by an organization that opposes this type of thing, you have to give them a lot of credit. It seems like you are looking for any article about an issue that you feel strongly about to also include special praise for your chosen Good Guy and condemnation for your chosen Bogeyman. I think you may have to start your own press for that. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/18 "2003-06-10T14:06:43Z")
> [@](#): > > It seems like you are looking for any article about an issue that you feel strongly about to also include special praise for your chosen Good Guy and condemnation for your chosen Bogeyman. I think you may have to start your own press for that. Wow, **Izzy**. Respect for human dignity is now a “chosen Good Guy”? Antigay hatred is merely a Bogeyman? Go intercourse yourself, buster. Putting quotation marks around partner is insulting. The article was leaking at the seams with bigotry aimed squarely at people just like me, and I’m here to tell you that I don’t like bigots or their sympathizers. Say hi to your “wife”. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/19 "2003-06-10T14:29:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by grimpixie \* > \*\*Any more info on this point? What was the rebellion about? \*\* Fr. Moyer was/is pretty outspokenly opposed to the ordination of gay and female priests, and was openly critical of his bishop, Bishop Bennison, and then finally said he wouldn’t allow Bishop Bennison to preach at his church, because Bennison had ordained gay and female priests, and also because Bennison has some kind of unorthodox beliefs about the incarnation and the bible. So, Bennison banned Moyer from serving in Bennison’s diocese. This actually got worldwide attention, with the Archbishop of Canterbury stepping in. I think Moyer then went on to take his followers into this traditionalist Episcopalian splinter church. ---
**Author:** ![IzzyR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@IzzyR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IzzyR)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761/20 "2003-06-10T14:49:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > Respect for human dignity is now a “chosen Good Guy”? Antigay hatred is merely a Bogeyman? The problem with you, and people like you, is that in your narrow-minded intolerance, you are simply incapable of recognizing another viewpoint. I did not see anything in this article about “Antigay hatred” or “Respect for human dignity”. The article brought up matters like “incompatible with scripture” and “Open rebellion against God.” It is your position - adopted in the interest of making your enemies look bad - that such positions directly equate to anti-gay hatred and lack of respect for human dignity. But you lightly pass over the intervening steps as if they amount to the same thing. They don’t. > [@](#): > > Putting quotation marks around partner is insulting Silly silly. The article was full of quotes around all sorts of terms, like “good”, “gay” and “commitment ceremonies”. Presumably, these are how others used the terms. I’m surprised that an editor like yourself is unfamiliar with what is a widespread practice. (Out of curiosity, just what nature of insult do you think they were trying to convey with the quotes?) > [@](#): > > I’m here to tell you that I don’t like bigots or their sympathizers Well now that you came, I’ll inform you that I am not in the least concerned with who you like or don’t like. So I guess you can go back to wherever it is you came from. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-agape-press/180761.md?page=2)