The Blessing

[Unavoidable3]

Amen .....

[DancingTillIDie]

nice vestments! bet this guy gets a lot of action :)

[TAKEHEED1]

False Prophet

[jbenjaminwilson]

Many Bishops love to extend the blessing to throw in something "different" and "profound." No disrespect to +Gene as a Bishop in the Church of God or a human, but I find it to be pretty bombastic. And all three bishops in each diocese I have held membership in were the same way. I guess we're to be reminded that we are lead by humans, fallible, fallible humans.

[flacos77]

Discomfort , anger , tears, & foolishness! wow ! I could really do without that blessing! I' ll pray for Gene's comfort, peace, and wisdom!

[sterlingrose33]

I have decided to add this video to my blog sidebar.

[sterlingrose33]

All I know is that God loves all humanity, so he loves +Gene too. And who am I to not love him, if God loves him?

[sterlingrose33]

Wow this church looks *cavernous.* Are there pictures somewhere of the sanctuary?

[NancyVanderBrink]

We are ALL God's children... even if we choose not to believe. He always loves us. Even when we disagree about theology...

I don't know about anyone else but I find it comforting to know that no matter what I do my Father will ALWAYS love me.

Who am I? How Dare I not to love any of his other children?

Fore we are all God's children and therefore we should love and respect one another because we were all made in God's image and how dare we spit on the image of God.

Yours in Christ

[luusmaitli13]

@NancyVanderBrink: This little text was the loveliest conglomeration of words I have read for a long time. It's like a 'love letter' to God and humanity... It was wonderful. Thank you!

We should honour the love of God; and how dare we to argue and fight in His name?

Don't understand me wrong: I'm not really a christian; but this is how I understand the world and creation on an ethical and philosophical approach. It doesn't matter if you call it God, Faith or Biology - we should all honour it!

[jeddalynn]

You don't know who you are.

Thank you. You have confirmed much for me.

[RinKuriPr0n]

It's about damn time! (:

[mirajam]

Love is the only commandment Jesus requires of us:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets."

[MackLeeGreen]

Yes, He calls us to love God and our neighbor; both of which happen through the work of the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit calls us to faith through repentance. One of the first commands Jesus gave was "repent for the Kingdom of God has come near." What did Jesus say to the adulterous woman after condemning the angry mob who was going to stone her to death?? He said "Go forth and sin no more." He didn't tell her to embrace and celebrate her adulterous desires.

[mirajam]

I am grateful to receive this blessing from somebody who is living as a prophet of discomfort and challenging bigotry and blindness within the church.

[carnaco2]

A church in name only.

[MackLeeGreen]

He is the blind one. He is blind to the Word of God.

[carnaco2]

All Saints Pasadena has drifted far from the true Word of God. They can't give a simple explanation for their condoning homosexual marriage in light of God's command that "a man shall leave his parents and cleave unto his wife".

Their teachings are a blight on the Southern California landscape.

[bluecollarboiler]

a gay bishop, well at least he has the balls to be open about it, not like so many roman catholic priests who defiled innocent boys and then the church and the vatican paid millions of dollars to cover up?

where did you all think your cathedraticum taxes were going? to serve the poor? or to line the pockets of the gold in the vatican?

[gladiator3543]

So does that mean you are comparing the word of God in the Bible to the system of apartheid? I think that's called heresy and not to mention blasphemy; you are saying God is like a racist and sinner? I take it you aren't a Christian.

[gladiator3543]

Oh really? Here are just 2, there are other. Levitucs 18:22 (Old Testament of the BIBLE) "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." I Corinthians 6:9 (New Testament of the BIBLE) "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders"

[tango2romeo]

Do not get idolatrous about a book. And yes, you can get idolatrous about any physical thing - a book, a written text, an object like a cross, etc. Bibliolatry is not a good thing.

The word "Bible" simply means "books." Never forget that.

[tlh215]

If people ordained into the ministry only those human beings who had never sinned in their whole lives, and who never will sin in their whole lives, the ministry would be completely vacant until the end of time itself.

[gladiator3543]

tlh215, There is a difference in being a sinner, which we all are, and humbly asking regularly for God's forgiveness than living a life which completely contradicts what is said in the Bible and Christian tradition. Gene Robinson is an unrepetant sinner and tries to lead others down the same path. "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin." Luke 17:2.

[erkekler]

Bishop Gene Robinson is an exemplary man of God.

He is an example to emulate. Let there be a thousand more bishops like Rev, Robinson in the Anglican Church.

[gladiator3543]

Gene Robinson is a heretic, who denies the Word of God in the Bible regarding homosexuality, he walked out on marriage and he encourgaeas other to follow his road of suit yourself christianity. Bishops are supposed to be guardians, not destroyers of orthodoxy.

[Thazo1979]

the word of God in the bible regarding homosexuality is nonexistant. There is no mention of homosexuality in the ten commandments, just adultry.

[erkekler]

Bishop Desmond Tutu was a consummate challenger or orthodoxy. The orthodoxy i question was a system of apartheid. That, too, was simply "how things were". Standing on the side of righteousness and justice means one can be called to challenge orthodoxy.

[SouthernGent55]

Bishop Gene Robinson needs to repent of his perverted and deviant ways! He is clearly not an authentic man of God! I wouldn't pay a bit of attention to his rhetoric!

[tlh215]

Southerngent55 you need to watch a video here called "On Hating White People" with Tex Sample

Because it could just as easily be titled "On Hating Straight People Like You"

[chalicechiq]

@SouthernGent55 Would you pay attention to St. Francis? He's reading a prayer that is attributed to St. Francis.

[AngelinFontana]

." Lev 20:13 "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death." 1 Cor 6:9 "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals" 1 Tim 1:9-10 & Rom 1:26-27. I can understand your passion, but I cannot share it.

[AngelinFontana]

since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example, in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire." Any sinner should always remember that the God who commands us to love our neighbour is the same God who will cast any and all unrepentant sinners into the "eternal fire". Here are more Bible quotes, Lev 18:22-23 "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.

[AngelinFontana]

But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, 'Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly.'" The Greek word in the New Testament for homosexuality is literally "a sodomite". Apart from the fact the city was clearly destroyed by God because of homosexuality in the narrative of Gen 19, even the New Testament clearly states exactly the same thing in Jude 7 " "Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them,

[AngelinFontana]

For anyone to suggest the Bible says homosexual activity is acceptable to God, is nothing short of willful blindness. So to set the record straight once and for all, here is what the Bible teaches on the subject. Anyone who has heard of the cities of "Sodom and Gommorah" knows that they were notorious hotbeds of homosexuality. Gen 19:5-8 "and they called to Lot and said to him, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.'

[AngelinFontana]

The homosexual community has two ways of promoting their personal choices of being homosexual through the religious forum. First, some will claim the Bible actually promotes and condones homosexuality. Second, others try to get the Bible banned from public use by categorizing it as hate literature.

For any to use the Bible to condone rather than condemn homosexual activity in the theological arena just proves such a one has absolutely no idea what the Bible actually teaches.

[SouthernGent55]

Well said my friend, well said! You speak nothing but the truth about this matter. The gay agenda is in the forefront of trying to silence Christianity and the message of Jesus Christ found in the Bible.

However, I believe that God will intervene and stop the perverts in their tracks!

[silverheron9]

Better a Gene Robinson, who is gay and open about it and a Christian - than a Ted Haggard, who is TO THIS DAY living in serious denial of the FACT FACT FACT that he is GAY GAY GAY and is going to end up killing himself in misery over it.

Ted doesn't WANT to come out to himself or the world. And he needs to. He needs to talk to +Gene, and fast, before Ted commits suicide.

[openairpreacher]

the judgments are here ,,watch it!

sinning people will go to hell!

[ColumbiaCowboy]

I'd like to introduce you to someone who is obviously a stranger to you. His name is Jesus Christ, and he died to pay for the sins of ALL people. So, no, "Sinning people" will NOT "go to hell."

What a pity that so many forget forgiveness, forget grace, forget love, but THINK they're being Christian.

Of course, that's all beside the point of the discussion, because it's absolutely NOT a sin to be gay.

[AngelinFontana]

Remember - when he says god bless you, he's really saying hail satan. This man is totaly misrepresenting. God loves the sinner, but hates the sin that His only begotten son was crucified for (this includes homosexuality).

[bob406]

Just wondering if all the people who live in Fontucky are all as ignorant as you?

[purplebooty]

bless you child for you are lost

[boomac62]

And how do you live out your love for this man...or gay people in general? Do you let them know you love them unconditionaly, as God loves you?...

[ColumbiaCowboy]

What a bunch of bigoted, hateful garbage. It's blasphemy to say that a man whom GOD called to the minstry is saying "Hail satan." You obviously hate gays worse than you love God, much less love other people (even though Jesus COMMANDED you to love other people)

This "Love the sinner hate the sin" stuff is a hoary old myth, it is NOT in the Bible (nor is a single WORD condemning homosexuality) and it is still not a sin to be gay.

[AngelinFontana]

The Bible's condemnation of homosexuality is as clear and plain as the Bible's condemnation of murder, adultery, premarital sex, kidnapping, lying and idolatry. Further, for me to openly condemn homosexuality theologically makes me no more a "gay basher" than I am an "adultery basher", "premarital sex basher", "kidnapper basher" or a "murderer basher". If you disagree, your argument is with God's Bible.

[SouthernGent55]

Cowboy:

Will the gay community please come up with some orginal? We are tired of hearing about how we are hateful, unloving , etc.

Gay people have mental problems and that is why they have such a high rate of suicide. Please get some help!

[oxfordpj21]

Why is it our Church spends its time preaching at us that we are all 'ONE' in Jesus, yet quick to disown gay men. Why does the Church not focus on lifes bigger problems but focus it all on peoples private lifes? I believe that God loves us all for us- as long as we are honest and open and do good unto others. Its the hypocrites we have that act God! He judges not us.

I think Gene Robinson is amazing and God loves his honest approach

[TrainmasterCurt]

Gene Robinson is not a faithful Orthodox Anglican, he has been taught error, but yet i pray that God would have mercy on his soul.

[HailZeon57]

How, in any way, did I display myself being God? Maybe you could enlighten me as to why you would say such a thing.

[HailZeon57]

This guy is going to hell. He not only disregards what the Bible really says about homosexuality, but he preaches as if there is no law attached to the Bible, just gospel. He is a false prophet and he will be in hell someday.

[Dedicednu]

What a wonderful Christian you are. Christ would absolutely love how you are wishing his children to burn in Hell.

God, protect me from your followers! If this is what begin Christ-like is all about, then no wonder there are so many atheists.

[HailZeon57]

People who don't follow God's laws are not his children. People living in sin and refusing to repent are not Gods children. You don't know what you are talking about. It's funny, pathetic, and sad; all at the same time.

[Dedicednu]

And you have no idea how the real world really works. I feel so much pity for you, how badly you're stuck in your little cult. You're an embarrassment to real Christians.

[HailZeon57]

The real world is sinful. I don't want to live by what the world does, but by what God wants me to do.

"I feel so much pity for you, how badly you're stuck in your little cult.'

Keep your pity. I don't want it and I don't need it. By the way, I didn't know that true Christianity was a cult.

"You're an embarrassment to real Christians."

lol. You don't know what you are talking about. Real Christians follow what God says, not what man says. Real Christians know that homosexuality is wrong.

[ColumbiaCowboy]

False. Some real Christians think that, but they're mistaken. Many real Christians nkow it's NOT wrong, it's a naturally occuring difference in some people, not right or wrong, more like being left-handed than anything. It's not an action, harms nobody, isn't chosen and cannot be changed. You talk about "what God wants me to do," God obviously wants some people to be gay. And that is NOT something you do, it's something you are.

you cannot think hate and discrimination is what God wants.

[ColumbiaCowboy]

ALL people are God's children. And if you're talking about homosexuality, it is NOT against God's law, is NOT a sin, and CANNOT be "repented." A person who is gay CANNOT stop being gay, there is no such thing as a former homosexual.

There is nothing Christian about homophobia and bigotry.

God's laws? You mean God's law. There is one...Love. If you love other people, treat them with kindness, you've done God's will, followed God's law.

[anglicanbeachparty]

His blessing worked! I am discomfitted and angry!

[bbbahn]

What a beautiful blessing. Remember that the gentle man who bestowed it is the same man causing many Anglicans around the world, and some Episcopalians in this country, to denounce him and even leave the church. His sin? He loves, and is now joined in civil union with, another man. Many other Episcopalians in this country join me in gratitude for Bishop Robinson's service and in prayers that our church will soon recognize that people have different sexual makeups.

[Dedicednu]

The same people who hate on this man would have been the same people who opposed interracial marriages some 50 years ago, who would have supported segregation 100 years ago, and who would have supported slavery 200 years ago. The Episcopal Church is not a liberal church. It is just far ahead of its time.

[HailZeon57]

The problem here, is that for the first time, the Bible says that this particular sin is wrong. Mans opinion states that slavery was right, segregation was right, and that interracial marriage was right, not the Bible.

The Episcopal Church is indeed a liberal church, supporting something that the Bible clearly states as wrong

[Dedicednu]

Ah, that's the funny thing. When the Church accepted slavery, opposed interracial marriages, discriminated against everyone, they believed that the Bible clearly stated that all of those things. The Bible also VERY clearly states how acceptable it is for parents to beat their children. Wonder why Christians aren't up in arms about this.

In another 20 years, when gay marriage is acceptable, Christians will move on and find something else to hate. It's a never ending judgmental cycle.

[HailZeon57]

What's wrong with parents correcting a child with a spanking? If children do not get corrected for misbehaving, it will only get worse into adulthood.

"In another 20 years, when gay marriage is acceptable..."

lol. People were saying this 20 years ago.

[Dedicednu]

You just told me everything I need to know about yourself. You're definitely one of those typical Christians. Science bad. Psychology bad. You just might end up going to hell for using the internet, you know. It's wicked.

[ColumbiaCowboy]

Where?

The Bible NEVER says homosexuality is wrong,. Saying it "clearly" states this is hogwash, it's obscure Old Testament purity codes people argue about at every seminary. Leviticus about a sex ACT, not homosexuality. Romans uses the word, but it's KNOWN to be a bad translation.

The comparison to interracial marriage is very appropriate, same words and language (it's unnatural, it's not God's plan) were used, and it was just as immoral and unChristian to discriminate then as it is now.

[SouthernGent55]

Yes, the Bible "CLEARLY" condemns homosexuality! Romans 1:26-28 is unmistakably condemning the perverted act of homosexuality. god will judge sexual immorality!

[boomac62]

You are worng but thats understandable, as I once thought as you do. the Bible never mentions homosexuality in the way we understand it. (the word did not exsist)The bible does speak against all sexual sins but sexual orientation is not sin.(never mentioned) The bible has nothing to say about commited loving relationships between two people of the same sex. Reading the verses in context helps, as does reading them in love. I wish you well on your journey. peace

[Thazo1979]

Indeed. Leviticus' condemnation of the "homosexual act" is really a protest of the practice in Cannan of priests using teenage boys as temple prostitutes to bypass the use of women prostitutes which were banned in many cases of temple purity.

[ColumbiaCowboy]

Absolutely horribly untrue. Romans was NOT about homosexuality, it's a bad translation. Paul did not use the word, which didn't EXIST in Paul's time.

Homosexuality is not an act. It is not "perverted," in fact every single credible scientific, medical and mental health authority confirms it's perfectly normal for some people to be gay. God will not "judge" people for being gay, when God MADE them gay. It's not immoral to be gay. But bigotry and homophobia are immoral, threatening is immoral.

[mpj334]

I like the blessing, but I thin the vestments are tacky. ;)

[chalicechiq]

@mpj334 there's worse out there. There's a blog called "Bad Vestments" that features LOTS of pictures of some TERRIBLE vestments. Check it out sometime; it's on blogger. Some of the vestments featured on there are just laughable.

[garydaley9]

Does he take it or give it,ATM or Spitroast? And what's the favored lube of choice?

[frbrizz]

Bishop Gene - a prophet of our time!! You that have ears let them hear!!!

[goodstreaker33]

What a complete legend!!!

[VIDTHEYID]

Sodomite , heretic , Agent of Satan .

[FritsPeter]

I donot find his liberal explanation about the texts on homos. in Paul's letters (e.g. Romans) convincing! He is not telling the truth.

[floridaredhead]

I LOVE GENE ROBINSON!

[MenechemShaul]

@floridaredhead There is a difference between sexually immorality and other Sin! Paul Made it quite Clear that sexually Immorals should not be permitted in Church Eldership! You are truly blind to what Scripture teaches! I am an Orthodox Jew who has Come to Christ! I do not Twist the word like your cult does!

[obxemt]

I hope no one thinks that he wrote it.

[luvgal23]

let's get this straight...4 all u catholics...this is an anglican bishop....no doubt we all have sinned,bt for a senior leader in the church it is wrong bcuz all have sinned bt wat is important is that we repent.he has not done so

[anglicanamerican]

Still...nice blessing wasn't it?

Would you like another stone? I haven't cast mine just yet.

[PhillAlexandros]

"Would you like another stone? I haven't cast mine just yet."

*LMAO* I am sooooo stealing that, just letting you know.

[Dedicednu]

Great reply! I'm also stealing it

[floridaredhead]

If all churches everywhere fired every sinful person who ever was ordained, then the pulpits would be empty. Completely empty.

Not even Benedict XVI is sin-free and he'd be the first to admit it. No priest, deacon, cardinal, minister, pastor, etc has EVER, in the entire history of Christianity, been sin-free.

Only ONE was truly sin-free and He paid the price for our sin. So get over it already. Look to your own pastor, who is also a sinner.

Motes and beams. Motes and beams.

[floridaredhead]

Basically, every human being is a sinner, including all pastors, priests, bishops, deacons, ministers, whatever. Remember your Romans 3:23 and bear in mind that he's talking about YOU too. YOU personally. YOU.

[erkekler]

obviously you haven't visited america in many years

[floridaredhead]

Who, me? Haven't visited America? I live in Florida. I was born in Washington DC. I have no idea who that comment was directed at.

[joeldavids]

hey,some might think that it sounds cruel for him to say this,,,, but no,, if u can understant this in context of the bible,, all these qualities are of God ,,, God feels discomforted for us as we Do the mistakes even though our consious tells us,,,, and angeris an emotion and its from Godbut the world thinks its wrong to be angry,,,tears for others, and thru follishness we can be used by God as god doesnt wantthe best but he wants the worst to make it best,,,, AMEN,,,, thanks

[anglicanamerican]

Sweet!

[FatherAlbert]

Do people listen to the words of wisdom of our great spiritual leaders? I believe that people listen only when it is convenient for them and is in keeping with their learned behavior. I guess we haven't evolved as much as some people think!

[mhscofe]

Dear Episcopalians! I support and admire Your Bishop! God bless him, his ministry and Your Church! Best regards from catholic Poland.

[benjaminowk]

Being Catholic, I am proud that the Christian church has a Bishop of such grace, love and compassion.

[901cleo]

Proud to be an Episcopalian who has such a fine Bishop in our church.

[hlinskona]

Amen.

[pbriggsiam]

Bishop Gene Robinson is a fine human being and this is a blessing I will start my day with at least once a week.