EDITORIAL

"Dialogue with words not with bombs"

LETTERS TO UNCLE SAM

By Prof. Talaat I. Farag*

• The Anglican Church

• Religious leaders said no to same-sex marriages

• The heretic bishop?

• The New World Disorder Syndrome (NWDS)

Dear Uncle Sam,

Being neither a politician nor a theologian does not prevent me from writing this letter to you regarding the reactions resulting from the election of the openly gay, Gene Robinson, as Bishop of New Hampshire, the first openly gay man to take such high office in the Anglican Church. This event led to the splitting of the network of individual Anglican churches around the world.

   
Pope John Paul II        Archbishop of Canterbury

Religious leaders oppose same-sex marriages

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, titular head of the 70 million Anglicans (with 38 independent national Anglican churches in Asia, Africa, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, and the USA) said, "I am clear that the anxieties have reached the point when we will need to sit down and discuss the consequences." On December 18, 2003, the Anglican Church of the Province of Uganda cut its relationship and Communion with the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) on their resolution and consequent action or consecrating and enthroning an openly confessed homosexual Gene Robinson as the Bishop of New Hampshire Diocese in the Anglican Communion; and with any other Province that shall follow suit.” Many prominent Anglicans demand that the North American churches be expelled from the world Anglican community.

                 
 Sheik Al-Azhar            Pope Shenouda III        Archbishop Makhulu

Other international religious leaders said that marriage need not be re-defined and nothing is called evolution or modernization for the definition of marriage. Overall, they believe that marriage is a "sacred union between a husband and a wife." Pope John Paul has urged Anglicans to back off on policy towards homosexuality. Both Dr. Tantawy, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, and Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox church condemned any attempt at redefining marriage within a religious context.

The Heretic Bishop?

It is difficult to explain how Rev. Gene Robinson, acts unaware of the seriousness of the situation he has created. Until recently all interpretations of the Bible on this issue has always been very unanimous and without debate on the issue of homosexuality. In addition to the religious scriptures of other faiths, the case of Bishop Robinson represents an unprecedented exception. Today, there are people who are talking about the "evolution" and "modernization" of religions by suggesting extreme interpretations on issues of equity and human rights, hence allowing homosexuals as religious leaders, even popes! 

There are groups in Canada that are advocating and trying to allow religious unions in the form of marriage between members of the same sex.  If successful, Canada would become only the third country to allow for same-sex marriages after the Netherlands and Belgium!

New World Disorder Syndrome (NWDS)

The Editorial section of the previous issue of the Ambassadors portrayed what is believe to be a new disease entity which was named "New World Disorder Syndrome" (NWDS). This new entity is characterized by megalomania, a sense of pseudo-prophecy, psychopathy, hostility, misinterpretations and miscalculations, visual and hearing impairments.

I received several comments suggesting that the appointment of Reverend Gene Robinson as Episcopal Bishop, reflects some of the traits of this new syndrome. I would like to read your comments and views about this serious issue in the Discussion Forum.

Dr. Talaat I. Farag, MD, FRCP(E), FACP, FACMG, is a community geneticist and syndromologist. He is the founder of The Ambassadors Research Foundation in 1998. Email: drfarag@ambassadors.net

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