A controversial debate by the Church of England’s General Synod over whether it should seek to convert Muslims has been postponed to 2009.
The motion, tabled by lay member Paul Eddy, received 124 signatures of support from Synod members, including the bishop of Rochester, and was scheduled for a major debate and vote during the annual extended session of the Synod in York next month, just weeks ahead of a global gathering of Anglican bishops called the Lambeth Conference.
Eddy’s motion called on the House of Bishops to “to confirm their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in a multi-faith society, and to publish details of best practices in evangelizing people of other faiths.”
The Church of England must make it clear that it believes in what the Bible says about Jesus being the only way to salvation, Eddy said earlier.
A number of bishops and clergy have spoken out against the motion, including the Rt. Rev Stephen Lowe, the former bishop of Hulme and the newly appointed Bishop of Urban Life and Faith, who was quoted by The Telegraph as saying, "Both the Bishop of Rochester's reported comments and the synod private members' motion show no sensitivity to the need for good inter-faith relations.
“Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs are learning to respect one another's paths to God and to live in harmony. This demand for the evangelization of people of other faiths contributes nothing to our communities."
Eddy’s motion was dropped from the July Synod to make way for a backlog of legislative issues and another motion with a higher number of signatures on church buildings being used as tourist attractions. Eddy’s motion has now been shelved for next February’s Synod at the earliest.
He commented, “I’m not at all surprised that the motion didn’t get timetabled following the opposition I had from many bishops and the reaction to the media interviews.”
The former public relations consultant added that he had received wide support for the motion from the Anglo-Catholic as well as evangelical wings in Synod.
“People feel very aggrieved that, at this particular time in the Church’s history, Synod was not given an opportunity to debate evangelism,” said Mr Eddy.
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Shame on the Anglican Bishops who says "show no sensitivity to the need for good inter-faith relations". If these bishops can't even evangelize the people at their doorsteps, what does evangelism means to them. What about the Muslims who are evangelizing and converting the spineless British to become Muslims, radical and even using them against the government??? You call this as inter-faith relations?? These Bishops should not be representing the Church, they should hired as Ulama, excellent spokesperson for the Muslims, selling their birthrights as well as their vocation. These bishops sitting on pedestals in the ivory tower, but betraying the followers of the Christian faith. The problem of the Anglican Church now is basically having these kind of bishops who can't even speak up for the believers. You are ashamed to witness Christ in this world, then Christ will be ashamed of you - calling yourselves as the shepherds of the Christian faith. How hypocritical are you bishops!! But I am glad there are other Bishops of Rochester and York, there is at least a glimpse of hope of salvaging the Chruch of England from going down to the drains!
There is one Lord and Savior, who is the Son of God. He is incarnate being fully God and fully man. Only through Jesus Christ shall we be saved!
I reject this LIBERALISM! You choose interfaith Koom bayah over preaching the Gospel???? WHAT! This is rediculous.
I'm sorry Hindu's, Muslims, Budhists and anyone else who do not have the correct path to God unless it is through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY to Heaven and eternal life.
ALL THOSE WHO REJECT JESUS CHRIST WILL BE DAMNED. ALL THOSE WHO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR and STAY FAITHFUL TO HIM WILL BE SAVED.
The Church of England has become such a bunch of "milk toasts" with no backbone.
“Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs are learning to respect one another's paths to God and to live in harmony. This demand for the evangelization of people of other faiths contributes nothing to our communities."
Understanding another’s belief, respecting one’s “perspective” of God and living in harmony with one another really goes without saying but from the Christian worldview there is only ONE path to God – it is through Jesus Christ ALONE:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me – John 14:6.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved – Acts 4:12.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ – 1Corinthians 3:11.
I also have to take issue with the notion that “evangelization” contributes nothing to our communities. This language simply seeks to make no difference between the claims of Jesus Christ and those of other faiths. All paths do not lead to God and it is a shame that some in the Anglican Communion have seemed to forgotten this; they need to repent -
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent – Revelation 3:15-19.