Tie a Millstone to the Episcopal Church

Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, DC, Mariann Budde, said in her inaugural prayer service was meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Vanity of vanities.

But what do you expect from a DC Beltway derivative church based on the morals of Henry VIII? Politics intermingling with the Church is nothing new, there are plenty of cases within past centuries. However, what I think is new is the injection of post-modern Progressivism into Christianity. Actually, it might not be "an injection," but rather an entire overhaul with the facades of the old church still held up. A type of conversion is being attempted totally different from that of "being born again" or anything familiar in traditional legacies of Christianity. I am reminded of the old sci-fi movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Swapping out one set of congregation for another seems to be the goal. Outwardly things mostly appear the same, but you can detect that something is definitely wrong. And why are people acting so oddly?

Ricochet member Keith Lowery wrote a good piece titled "Self-Absorbed and Self-Indulgent". I have a slightly different take on the situation. It's not that I disagree with Lowery (in large part I agree), but I think it doesn't deal with the main thrust of what's going on. This is not a case of "Will no one rid us of this meddlesome Priestess?" but rather a systematic issue. Both from the church itself and also from without. Progressive and Leftist organizations have deliberately targeted a takeover of churches as part of the long march through the institutions. From a secular Leftist point of view they don't really care so much about theology, church history, Jesus, etc... but what they do care about is using it as a method of further control. Perhaps there is also the desire to destroy churches as a safe haven from the reach of an all-encompassing state. Part of the reason why the general population is getting burned out on progressive politics is because it's difficult to escape. It's everywhere.

Modern Progressivism is totalitarian in nature. I don't mean "totalitarian" as a pejorative. I mean it as a descriptive. It appears literally that progressives want to control every aspect of society and have it in your face all the time. Schools, Fortune 500 companies, government, healthcare, science, the military, sports, the products you buy, entertainment, social media, information networks, the outdoors, and yes, now even religion. Everything must incorporate "the message". The progressive Word is final and authoritative, without question. Blasphemers will come to bend the knee (sometimes literally).

As a result, I'm not so concerned with a single Inauguration National Prayer Service. Episcopal leader Mariann Budde didn't "hijack" the service. The message she gave is a core part of the service. It represents part of the goal of its progressive ministry. This was made clear in 2020 when the church was attacked by left-wing rioters. Trump's sin was to defend the physical church in this case. The rioters were more pious than protective action in Episcopal theology. Which is why Budde rebuked Trump. Riots were done in the name of the Progressive Catechism, which the Episcopal Church actually includes on its website (under different wording). I took the time to go through the Episcopal website and much of it is thinly veiled progressive politics with a Christian cardboard cut out in front. Conservative reporters have also been noticing outside progressive organization money flowing into Protestant churches to snatch more bodies. Megan Basham's book Shepherds for Sale deals with one aspect of this trend.

The subject of this post is more like the subject of a book. However, I'll try to hit on some highlights below.

A Sermon on the Parable of the Tenant Farmers

I have a bit of a rowdy Baptist streak in me. It'll probably never go away. So when I hear a figure asserting unearned authority over me, and even invoking religion, I have a tendency to push back and take a look for myself. It's not scripture but I like these Cody Jinks music lyrics:

"So put up your Bible
Oh, let me get mine
I'm not dragging the whole world to hell
You're wasting my time"

So let me get the good book out.

Instead of the standard progressive politically oriented sermons of the Episcopal Church, perhaps I could offer a topic on something Biblically based. The often overlooked parable of the tenant farmers, Mark 12:1-12. This parable is a bit timely, if not rather ominous. I leave an edited quote from Jesus from the NIV Bible below:

A man [the owner] planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place....

...He [the owner] ... sent a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

What then will the owner of the vineyard do?

An imaginative Bible reader might see how this Jesus parable could apply to institutions beyond this one vineyard farm. I suggest a visiting preacher tell it at the Episcopal Church in Washington, DC. That is, if the tenants of that church would ever let that occur. My guess is that he would be cast out.

The Episcopal Church and others have cynically been taken over and run by tenants who disregard the purpose and the terms of their being temporary placeholders in it. However, Episcopalianism appears easier to co-opt compared to more robust churches. However, I would like to examine a little of the tactics used by these tenants to make it their own and to kill out what was to be inherited.

Give Thanks to Bishop Mariann Budde - Clarity Matters

Putting aside the initial revulsion and distaste toward her Inauguration National Prayer Service, we should perhaps be a bit thankful for it. Clarity matters, that's why. The sooner people discover they are being bamboozled, the better. Although there might have been much wailing and gnashing of teeth during the service, it was a mask-off moment. The type of moment that NPR likes to call "a teachable moment". Some got hung up on the political angle of Trump being insulted. Some suggested that it was a mistake for him to go there in the first place. I disagree. Trump's presence augmented attention on the Episcopal Church and what it has become. This is a good thing. I bet Trump had no intention of doing this, perhaps no knowledge post-event that he did this either. But somehow the guy has a knack for being like garlic and cross to progressive vampires. His mere essence seems to make progressives lose their minds, out themselves, and behave quite badly. This inadvertent Trump quality has helped provide greater clarity in the health of the US political system and federal government.

In the case of the health and status of US churches, I think Trump has inadvertently helped provide clarity there too. Nothing he planned out, but just from reactions and more attention being drawn onto certain things. Critical attention on the Inauguration National Prayer Service and the Episcopal Church I believe is very helpful in showing the public the truth about what is transpiring. Then each person can make his/ her own decision on what to do. Not all sermons deliver the message that the giver intends. For me, I shake off the Episcopal dust from my sandals and walk away toward better things.

The Trojan Pride Horse and Institutional Capture of the Episcopal Church

For progressives, their politics informs their religion or spirituality. For conservatives, their religion informs their politics. This is important to understand. Which one leads the other? If there is something in Christianity that does not comport with progressive politics at a given moment, then it is cast into the fire. But how does a progressive get their aggressive politics into the church? Ah, well, with deception. Bring concepts and policies under false pretenses. Once inside the church gates, they can be unleashed. Once church leadership positions have been taken, even better, these concepts and policies can now be forced on the church.

One myth that I'd like to burst is that the Left believes in the "separation of church and state". We've all heard this one. It's a misunderstood phrase at times, but here, I'd like to focus on a particular angle. The truth seems to be something closer to the Progressive state being fused into the church, uniting them as one. But if you advocate a religion not approved by progressives, then it surely must be separated from any political influence and the state. Some religions are more equal than others. It's not so much that progressives are hypocrites, but rather, they believe they have a Leftist's god-given right to run everything. And if there's no divine intervention for the Left, then there are at least ACLU lawsuits.

The Episcopal Church is a prime example of this. Again, I encourage you to poke around the church's website and see things for yourself—that is, if simply watching the services is not enough. Just brush up on your progressive church euphemisms and lingo first. It's like having footnotes in a study bible. What you will find is much of the progressive orthodoxy wrapped into Episcopal cloth.

The Washington National Cathedral does have some claim to authoritative history, though. It has important religious relics on the grounds. Like the patron Saint of Progressive Government, Woodrow Wilson. I don't think you have to pray to him to get post-Constitutional actions done in government.

It would take too much time to go through point-by-point policies on the official Episcopal Church website, but I'd like to highlight a few Ministry items below.

1. Ministry in the Military: Inject DEI into the ranks.
2. Creation Care: This is the propaganda term for inserting radical anti-industrial policies into the church under the guise of conservation.
3. Social Justice & Advocacy
4. Race Politics. DEI. Anti-Racist Training. Racial Justice Audits. Grants. Etc
5. Office of Government Relations
6. Open Borders Services
7. The Rainbow Initiative
8. Gender Justice
9. Groom the Kids in Youth Ministry
10. Gun Control: Some specific policies and bills to curtail 2A.
11. And the capstone, complete with a new Pride-Progressive Episcopal Church Shield: The Office of Public Affairs.

This list isn't exhaustive. But I hope this helps to guide the reader on what the Episcopal Church is in reality. Also, this is intended to be a reality check for those on the conservative side who are believers and non-believers. Especially, I made this for those who either have or have had involvement with this now counterfeit church. The Episcopal Church has money, resources, reach, and proximity to power in the capitol. It is run by a new-age collection of corrupted clergy.

It's not even that a sharp departure from Biblical and traditional Christianity is blasphemy in the case of the Episcopal Church, it's that Christianity itself is being so cynically mocked in a manner that no standup comedian or TV show could ever hope to equal. A particular service isn't being hijacked as referenced earlier, rather an entire sect of the church has been hijacked for ulterior purposes.

However, if you have any further questions regarding the Episcopalians, then I'll refer you to the official Gender Justice Staff Officer, Scott Aaron. Aaron has a solid LGBTQ+ resume having been an organizer with Queers for Economic Justice. His new Episcopal Church position was called for by the 80th General Convention which is dedicated to LGBTQ+ and women’s ministries. And here's how the church sells him to the Christian faithful:

Scott has been appointed at the recommendation of a committee that included people of trans, nonbinary, LGBTQ+, and cisgender identities—as well as representatives from Episcopal Church Women, TransEpiscopal, and the Union of Black Episcopalians.

Scott holds a master’s degree in biblical studies from Union Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on gender and the New Testament, and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Latinx studies from Fordham University.

In his new role, Scott will seek to inspire, gather, and equip Episcopalians for justice, advocacy, and inclusion work focused on women and LGBTQ+ people. He will provide and develop formation opportunities to support inclusion of all gender identities and expressions, collect and share related resources, and grow networks of leaders for encouragement and cooperation.

“Candidates all taught sample lessons and gave sermons on gender and theology, and Aaron impressed the committee with his theological and community-organizing knowledge,” said the Rev. Melanie Mullen, director of reconciliation, justice, and creation care—and hiring manager for this position. “There is great urgency to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community, and we look forward to the impact Aaron’s work will have on the church and beyond.”

This is the main gist of the official theology of today's Episcopal Church with added emphasis. It's less of a Christian Church and more of a progressive political action committee with costumes and some nice former religious buildings.

The Episcopal "Call to Prayer" Episode. Bring your Quran and Carpet

If you do go to a DC Episcopal service, then be sure to brush up on your "Allahu Akbars," face toward Mecca and maybe bring a prayer carpet. All of these things will apparently help you follow the Episcopal liturgy. There was a Quran reading and Arabic singing at about 1:11:11 mark of the service. I think the Muslims have a Mosque in Washington, but if they are going to make themselves at home in the National Cathedral, then put up some minarets outside at the expense of the Episcopals while you're at it. Heck, those minarets might frighten off rioters the next time around.

Evidently, some "fact-checking" organizations claimed this Islamic episode never happened. So I left a link so anyone can see.

Progressive Christianity - It's Real and has Money

For those ardent, rock-ribbed faithful who don't like the watered-down Episcopal brand of Progressive religion, there is now the denomination of Progressive Christianity. No hiding the ball here. Actually, right now, run out and grab one of those black-clothed, long-bearded, Eastern Orthodox guys who still read ancient Greek: tell him the good news of his salvation in Progressive Christianity. Tell him its long history, being founded in 1994 in Washington, DC, but having its core beliefs updated in 2022. (I mean, c'mon, in '94 the show Seinfeld was still running.) You gotta keep up with the times if you wanna be saved from being canceled. You better come every Sunday since you never know when things might change in the teachings. It's ever and continually evolving as the literature says. I've seen material related to "8 Points" of Progressive Christianity, but then later shortened to five. But maybe it's still 8. I suppose getting to 10 to mimic Exodus was creatively too difficult. Actually, it's probably a fool's task to really try and track down any serious line of religious thinking because that doesn't seem to be the point of this endeavor.

So what is their endeavor? I'll click on the link to read the full Mission Statement. Let's find out:

Well, darn. I got a "Sorry, Page Not Found!" message. That leaves me in suspense. Maybe the faith will have progressed enough to update its web pages and purpose in the future.

However, if I go to the Donate Now page everything works just fine. I even get the message of:

“Your donations help us to reclaim an authentic, inclusive
and justice-centered Christianity. Thank you for your generosity!” I'm curious about how this 501(c)(3) gets most of its money. And the fact that it was founded in Washington - a truly pious place. Maybe they'll finally "take back Christianity," as the organization states. In looking at the books for sale at ProgressiveChristianity.org, I did not see a recommended Bible. I did see however books about Trump threatening Christendom as if he were some old Roman Emperor and how he might destroy the USA. Trump and MAGA are even depicted as the anti-Christ in one book. Not exactly the theological books I'd expect to see in a regular church. Again, acute politics over everything else. This appears to be the Progressive way.

So if you want to join the One True Progressive Church, you know where to look.

Women who seem to want to Remake the Church in their Own Image

I realize this might be a touchy subject, but It's unavoidable in discussing this issue: women in the clergy. Obviously women have played an important role and have been converts to Christ going all the way back to the time of Jesus. Historically women have attended church more than men. I'm sure there have been movements in the past, but I'm not sure there is any parallel in religious history of what seems like a tsunami of feminist progressive women looking to remake the churches and Christianity on the whole in their own image. Especially a church that endorses unlimited, anything-goes abortion. A hotly contested second is the blitz of progressive women leading the charge to evangelize children into transgenderism. It makes me wonder where the protective "mama bears" went. These kids need protection from real threats.

Like other areas of society, it appears that within the Christian world, there have been essentially affirmative action and DEI programs for women, especially into leadership positions. I get the impression that hard-line feminist, progressive activists are always the ones doing it and taking the roles. From what I can tell, much of their theological reasoning is based on egocentric emotions and personal interests. How they feel about things. In other words, not much actual reasoning or theology. As for tradition and scripture, well, I guess that got thrown out with the baby and the bathwater.

I'll pick one example: Rebecca Todd Peters (pictured in the Planned Parenthood garment in clerical garb above). She wrote the book To Do Justice: A Guide for Progressive Christians and another called Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice. Rebecca was ordained as a Presbyterian Ministry in the Women's Ministry department. She is also a member of the Planned Parenthood Clergy Board.

The esteemed Reverend Rebecca Peters also has a personal website where she advocates her progressive Presbyterianism. Let's take a look at a couple of her quotes:

Abortion in a reproductive journey.... Blessed are those who end pregnancies. They shall be known for their loving kindness.

Abortion is a blessing. Abortion is an act of Love. Abortion is a moral good.

(Note these quotes are from a video on Peters' website.) Kermit Gosnell could've used her at his trial.

I get the impression that, without failure, anytime there is one of these DEI-type women's ministry leadership programs, it goes hand-in-hand with progressive and leftist politics. Unlimited pro-abortion advocacy within Christianity seems like a priority, but multiple Progressive political goals are included in the ministries of feminist preachers. I don't know the statistical breakdown of beliefs of women within all the churches, but progressive activists seem to have outsized influence while being promoted.

I definitely see why so many churches have difficulty keeping men, especially young masculine men. Avoiding becoming a domesticated eunuch at the hands of one of these progressive female preachers is instinctual for a healthy male adolescent. The progressive-pride iconography is unmistakably repulsive too. In looking at progressive iconography I have to admit I got confused with all the flags. So I wondered where could I go to have an authoritative explanation of progressive Christianity. Ah, I got it... Go to official government websites in Los Angeles County, where the flag icons will be explained to the curious. (Link here.) I wonder if there's any helpful post-fire-related info for LA county websites. (Different subject.)

But perhaps one additional link might help give a final point from Rev. Rebecca Peters. She claims in a sermon that God lies. Her interpretation of Genesis is that women have godly knowledge to end pregnancies. Other interpretations are misogynistic according to her, because she's a self-proclaimed feminist. This message was delivered at the pulpit in a Presbyterian Church in Minnesota. It is one of her many sermons. This is one element of what is termed Feminist Theology.

Despite women being critical members of the church through its entire history, I can't help but think there was a reason why certain roles were reserved for qualified men. Modern progressive Christianity might be a testament as to why that was the tradition (and still is in certain sects). Try to smear me as a misogynist, but you can judge a tree by its fruit.

The Progressive Christian Theology Factory

In reading for this post I discovered the Union Theological Seminary based in New York City. I noticed this seminary repeatedly coming up in progressive Christian bios. The Episcopalians and the Planned Parenthood Presbyterian above are connected to it. This Union outfit appears to be the institution that churns out progressives like a factory to invade churches across the country. The website is here. This seminary is committed to diversity if that helps sell you on its Christian bedrock credibility. If there is any doubt about Union's commitment to progressivism, then those doubts should be alleviated with the mission statement that specifically cites it in the opening sentence. The theology described on the seminary's website goes like a political checklist for progressives. Conservatives used to say that progressivism was like a religion, figuratively speaking. Well, it appears that progressivism is literally being canonized into a religion. But let's see an introduction by a teacher of Union, the Rev. Dr. Andrea White, who has the theological class The Politics of Hope. You can take this religious course to "re-imagine the work of justice".

If you hurry maybe Spring classes can still be applied to.

Finding Answers in the "Extremes"

In recent years I've heard a lot about "moderates". Mostly in media, but sometimes in person. The general talk seems to indicate that to be "moderate" is the best thing to be. The "moderates" are the good ones that we should emulate. The moderate talk seems to make a lot of assumptions and is never really explained. Personally I find the use of the word "moderate" in contemporary public use a bit nonsensical. When I passed grade school, the word "moderate" was an adjective — you modify or describe a noun. So, a moderate what? A moderate drinker? Moderate exercise? and so on. I missed the memo when moderate became a noun.

In ancient Greek Philosophy, there is the concept of moderation (which I am on board with). But this Greek idea of having a balanced, healthy life is not what is being referred to nowadays. Instead, when someone says "moderate," it appears to be a method of not having a position while navigating social politics. This person distances from a position relative to other positions in a way to avoid alienation, yet also tries not to become perceived as an adversary. Since moderate is not actually a noun, it doesn't articulate anything. It's just a modifier of something else. So, in politics, I understand why the term "moderate" is used. It's to convey a neutral state without any specific principle. Let the observer read into it what he will. An assumption is made that simply staking out some middle position between two parties is the most moral and right. Or perhaps having no position at all is to be very moderate and ultra-virtuous. It's those people with firmly held beliefs who are the problem! And that may be the case depending on the belief or position. Other times, those principled people stand in the way of progressive programs and thus must be dubbed "extreme," a threat to the safe spaces of moderates.

This moderate political idea seems to be imported into religion on the whole. Our religion needs to be this politically moderate thing, so goes the attitude. It seems large swaths of American Christianity have drifted to this nebulous theology that has no self-confidence. It's more concerned with having interfaith dialogues and claiming the Golden Rule belongs more to other faith communities than advocating Christian faith. But under the pressures of the modern world, I understand why Christianity has been watered down into something that is not even taken seriously, even by those who attend churches while going through the motions. When approaching Christianity this way, the Overton window can be completely changed by having progressive Christianity relocate the perceived moderate position. Things like tradition and studying scripture can be dubbed as "extreme" positions. And we never want to be labeled that in contemporary society. It's almost as bad as being smeared as "racist". Much of modern, moderate Christianity is just a nebulous, apathetic social club that sees no particular distinction between it and all the others in the world. After all, it's all the same thing anyway, and why create friction? Maybe include Baal while you're at it.

Perhaps there's something to be said about the so-called "extremes" of Christianity. By this, I mean the polar ends of the High and Low church structures. That is to those churches that either embrace +2,000 years of Christian tradition or those churches that focus on the Biblical text itself aided by good faith low structure preachers apart from cults. Western civilization can't operate like an Apple store in the heyday of Steve Jobs. Where we suddenly throw out what we have, then rush out to the line waiting to purchase the next shiny object. And then hype, promote, and repeat. Good for Apple, but not a stable system for society. If you unmoor Christianity from its traditions and texts, then what is it? A progressive moderate church, I suppose. Typically conservatives lean on foundational rocks laid by generations before us, even if that's called "extreme" in the DC Episcopal Church or a DC Government building.

Why Do Progressives Deal with Christianity Anyway?

This is a question I've pondered a bit. The dominant culture in the USA today is secular. The USA has no established state religion. Though Virginia being an early English colony is a big reason why Episcopalism got a strong foothold in VA and later DC — a historical quirk. As Americans, nobody is going to force you to go to church. Also, there have been plenty of atheists who have become relatively famous for rebuking god or religion. You can also simply not participate. So why bother with all this allegedly kooky Christian stuff from the standpoint of a progressive?

There is probably a lot to be said on this question, but I'll offer a single abbreviated answer since this post is long: For progressives, it's about total control. Church used to be a social and organizational center apart from the state. However, it makes sense to have a network of progressive groups to conquer the churches and bring them into line with the progressive state orthodoxy. In the process, they undermine potential opposition. You must be forced to worship their idol of the pride-progress colored calf. I believe the progressive movement has a cold calculating view of the churches. It's simply a cynical takeover effort absent of any serious Christian faith. To a social-engineering progressive, churchgoers, I believe, are viewed as hapless dopes to be poached. And given the challenge of building organizations from the ground up, why not just overtake existing ones? Much better ROI.

In Closing

The saying "Light is the best disinfectant" applies in this case. The attention drawn to the service by Mariann Budde can be a good thing. The public got curious. More people will have greater situational awareness in both the Christian world and the political one. So Trump had a few negative things uttered against him from the pulpit — not the biggest deal. Yes, it was inappropriate conduct by the Bishop, but this incident is the least of the problems Trump has dealt with in the past four years or so. There are larger issues than this single sermon. But the sermon is symbolic of the bigger picture.

For some wisdom is meaningless. The post-modern view of progressivism believes whatever came before can be swept aside entirely. That all the toils, sacrifices, and accumulated knowledge of one generation can, and perhaps should, be wasted by the next generation. The assertion that there is no objective truth but only narratives told to people is a prevalent view among our governing class. Truth is a toy to play with when manipulating words. The view that your truth is whatever power arbitrarily dictates.

Perhaps the ultimate mass psychological test of this post-modernist idea is the ideology being pushed of transgenderism. If Progressives can somehow convince the public that sex is a baseless social construct and that young children should be abused in the name of LGBTQIA+, then just about any sociological experiment can work. The problem for progressives is that the world is not meaningless and devoid of truth. People can be fooled, but they can't be remade. With transgenderism being applied to minors, progressivism has gone into The Island of Doctor Moreau territory.

And what should be done with those who use the churches and the name of God to advocate for the harming of children? Those in clerical garb at the pulpit preaching how we all should "affirm" child abuse and lead them astray? There's a lot of interpretation required for the Bible, but some things are made clear. For the Episcopal Church, I'll use the King James Version. Matthew 18:6

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

That is vivid imagery attributed to Jesus.

Interestingly enough, in my going through the Episcopal Church's website, there is a large glossary of words and terminology. The term Judgment appears nowhere.