Tutu on avoiding mission

Posted by Joe on: 12.04.2007 /

In a recent BBC interview, the moral giant of our age, Archbishop Desmond Tutu talked about homosexuality and shame. Whilst the great and good attacked him, the little man said that if his bible doesn’t teach that God is Good then he’d rather believe his conscience than the bible.

Whilst the upheaval in the Anglican/Episcopal church is of relatively minor importance to most Christians around the world, the same discussions are being held elsewhere. It is hard not to be moved by the gentleness of Tutu and all he has been through. Everyone, whether they agree with his analysis or not, can only accept that if he errs, it is on the side of gentleness and love for the individual and their circumstances.

For me, the defining words were at the beginning of the interview. Tutu said that he felt issues of sexuality were of relatively minor significance compared to the major struggles against hunger, poverty and injustice - so the church is being sidetracked by constantly discussing it, in the process avoiding doing its mission. Of course, in typical BBC style, the interviewer then proceeded to discuss this issue for another 30 minutes.

3 Responses to "Tutu on avoiding mission"

Comment by: Rachel
1 12/4/07 9:09 PM | Comment Link |
Tutu said that he felt issues of sexuality were of relatively minor significance compared to the major struggles against hunger, poverty and injustice - so the church is being sidetracked by constantly discussing it, in the process avoiding doing its mission.

I certainly agree with the Archbishop on that!
Comment by: David H
2 12/4/07 10:27 PM | Comment Link |
It is funny, we have been discussing issues related to this in Sunday school for the past couple of months. I was raised to believe that they Bible was essentially the fourth aspect of God. Now I find myself more in tune with Bishop TuTu (who, in the circles of my youth, might not even have been considered a representative of a Christian church) when he says: “…that if his bible doesn�t teach that God is Good then he�d rather believe his conscience than the bible.”

There are so many sidetracks for Christians to run down, it is hardly a wonder they never get anywhere useful.

I’m with Bishop Tutu on this one. Oops, I think they just tore down my mansion in heaven.
Comment by: Elaine
3 12/5/07 9:17 AM | Comment Link |
Count me in! I vote with Bishop Tutu. Our churches do God and us a disservice when they put so much energy into condemning and attacking homosexuality. How much better their time and ours could be spend on something life giving.

It warms my heart to know that Bishop Tutu is willing to take this stand.