James Lileks on Bishop-Elect Vicki Gene Robinson

Lileks.com ^ | August 7, 2003 | James Lileks

[NYer]

Perhaps I'm the only one who winced at this: “God has once again brought an Easter out of Good Friday.' said Rev. Gene Robinson after his election as the first openly gay bishop. Good heavens, man, why don’t you just do the full James Cameron: hop up on the cross and shout I’m King of the Jews!

This story has irritated me from the start, and it has nothing to do with Rev. Robinson’s sexual orientation. The guy left his wife and kids to go do the hokey-pokey with someone else: that’s what it’s all about, at least for me. Marriages flounder for a variety of reasons, and ofttimes they’re valid reasons, sad and inescapable. But “I want to have sex with other people” is not a valid reason for depriving two little girls of a daddy who lives with them, gets up at night when they're sick, kisses them in the morning when they wake. There's a word for people who leave their children because they don't want to have sex with Mommy anymore: selfish. I'm not a praying man, but I cannot possibly imagine asking God if that would be okay. Send them another Dad, okay? Until you do I'll keep my cellphone on 24/7, I promise.

Who are you to judge? is the standard response, and I quote Captain James T. Kirk when asked the same question by Kodos the Executioner: who do I have to be? I’ll tell you this: my nightmare is losing my daughter. The idea of leaving her on purpose is inconceivable, and I don’t care if Adriana Lima drove up the driveway in a '57 BelAir convertible, tossed me the keys and asked me to drive her to Rio, it ain’t gonna happen. I made a promise when I married my wife, and I made another when we had our daughter. It's made me rather cranky on the subject of men who don't stick around. They're letting down the side. They're reverting to type. They're talking from their trousers.

I know, I know, his daughters love him & support him now. So what. Hitler’s dog went to his funeral. (No, that doesn’t make sense, but it’s my favorite wrench to throw in conversations this week.) If he’d cast off his family to cavort with a woman from the choir, I’m not sure he’d be elevated to the level of moral avatar – but by some peculiar twist the fact that he left mom for a man insulates him from criticism. It’s as if he had to do it. To stay in the marriage would have been (crack of thunder, horses neighing) living a lie, and nowadays we’re told that’s the worst thing anyone can do. Better to bedevil other lives with the truth than inconvenience your own with a lie. Right? If others are harmed in the short run, eventually they will be happy because you’re happier. Right?

I don’t think it works that way with little children. I don’t think they understand why Dads leave – and so they make up their own reasons and spend years looking for evidence in other people.

Heard an interview with Rev. Robinson this afternoon, and he used a phrase that set my teeth on edge: he referred to partnerships as “life-intentioned.” A wonderful weasel word, that: intention. The escape hatch is built right in. It’s as if the intention to stay together is equal to the expressed promise to stay together. But it’s not. Everyone had a faithless lover who did you wrong, and usually blamed everything but free will. It just happened, you know. Wasn’t intending to cheat, but . . . it just happened, okay?

Tonight I told my wife that I now regarded our marriage vows not as a solemn promise, but an expression of my intentions.

Ever seen those “Bringing Up Father” cartoons where Jiggs flees the house, trailed by a fusillade of rolling pins and frying pans?

[NYer]

With full acknowledgement to American Colleen for bringing this commentary to my attention.

There's a word for people who leave their children because they don't want to have sex with Mommy anymore: selfish. I'm not a praying man, but I cannot possibly imagine asking God if that would be okay.

That about sums it up!

[Cultural Jihad]

BTTT. Great essay.

[yooper]

"Perhaps I'm the only one who winced at this: “God has once again brought an Easter out of Good Friday.' said Rev. Gene Robinson after his election as the first openly gay bishop."

No, you're not. I also noticed this repulsive self-comparison to Christ by Robinson. A very sick man....

[onedoug]

One more:

If he’d cast off his family to cavort with a woman from the choir, I’m not sure he’d be elevated to the level of moral avatar – but by some peculiar twist the fact that he left mom for a man insulates him from criticism. It’s as if he had to do it.

[rockprof]

I totally agree with this. It's not just that the Episcopalian church elected an openly gay bishop, it's that they elected a bishop who abandoned his family to pursue his gay lifestyle.

My wife has a relative who is an ordained Episcopalian priest. He left his wife when the kids were young to hitch up with another woman. Just as evil as bishop Robinson's act and this was 40 years ago (and he's still a priest albeit retired from his church now).

As far as I'm concerned, the Episcopalian church is no better than the church of Satan. I know there are some God-fearing people left in that denomination but I don't have a whole lot of respect for those that stay. That denomination is now officially celebrating sin and evil acts.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Great essay! I do not believe in divorce. I don't know if we'll have kids but I would never divorce my husband.

[diamond6]

OCTOBER 13 1884 - POPE LEO XIII
Pope Leo XIII was just finishing Mass. As he turned to walk away from the
Tabernacle, he collapsed. Those present were afraid for his life, thinking he was
dead. When he came to, he shared what he had experienced in a vision. (This
event precursed by 33 years - to the day - the sun dancing in the heavens at Fatima.)
+
THE VISION
He heard noise in front of the Tabernacle . It was a confrontation between Jesus
and Satan. Satan told Jesus if given time and enough power, he would destroy
the Church. Jesus asked in return, 'How much time and how much power?'
Satan's reply was one century and more influence over those who would follow
him. The Holy Father said he heard Jesus say "So be it." And the 20th century
was given to Satan as a time of testing. The Holy Father was so shaken he began
to combat this vision with many things. 3 of which follow:
+
RESPONSE

He wrote
PRAYER TO ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Original - Prayer to St. Michael
O Glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible
warfare which we carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of
darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own
image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil.
Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the
leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor
was there place for them any longer in heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the
devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this
primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he
wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the
name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined
for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom
of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of
blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty
enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the
immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place
itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of
the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that
when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.
Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of
God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy
Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has God entrusted the
souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may
put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity
and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly
conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the
devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the
nations. Amen.
Verse: Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
Response: The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David.
Verse: Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
Response: As we have hoped in Thee.
Verse: O Lord, hear my prayer.
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy name, and as supplicants we
implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin immaculate and our Mother,
and of the glorious Archangel St. Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all
other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of
souls. Amen.
Pope Leo XIII had a vision from God when he collapsed at the altar during Mass. He afterwards
wrote the following prayer which is in the Raccolta of May 1934.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Well and a reminder: John Walker's (the traitor) father left him to do this exact thing (for a man, to pursue homosexual lifestyle). Look how great he turned out.

[MEG33]

I wish every child could be blessed with a father (and a mother)like this.A powerful statement.

[davisfh]

Outstanding post.

This guy's behavior is the very essence of selfishness. It is difficult for me to imagine anyone like this being elevated to the position of bishop. But perhaps his ex-wife is relieved to be rid of the creep. One must wonder if she knew or at least suspected all along.

Stranger yet is the benavior of the church in seating him as bishop. Are they not familiar with the Biblical admonitions concerning this type of activity or do they, in their morally relativistic minds, simply choose to ignore the obvious? If this is an indicator of things to come, may God have mercy on us all.

[madprof98]

Really hits the nail on the head. Thanks for posting it.

[Liz]

Self-absorbed, self-serving lefties have an unmitigated and utter contempt for humanity. There are none so hateful and self-serving as the sub-culture of homosexuality. Gays have perfected the cult of victimization and used it to foist their agenda on the rest of America.

Self-loathing libs just can't feel good about themselves unless they are in the throes of "victimization" and either 1) causing victims, 2) concocting victims, 3) playing victim, 4) commiserating over victims, or 5) creating another class of victims to bleed over.

And wasn't the venal Reverend Robinson disgustingly vile in his grinning victory over the anti-gay crowd. Now the homo cult has (sniffle) a gay bishop to slobber over (sob). Get out the valium. Sedate 'em before they sob themselves to desperation.

[schaketo]

The guy left his wife and kids to go do the hokey-pokey with someone else

Where I come from we don’t refer to it as hokey-pokey, although the pokey part of it is close. Poopy-sex, maybe? Fudge packing, etc., but not hokey-pokey.

[rhema]

In one column, self-professed non-believer Lileks has elucidated more Biblical principles than have come out of a week's worth of Episcopalian sanctimony.

[NYer]

It is difficult for me to imagine anyone like this being elevated to the position of bishop. But perhaps his ex-wife is relieved to be rid of the creep. One must wonder if she knew or at least suspected all along.

On the contrary! After he "outed" himself to her, they held a special ceremony in church to "unexchange" their wedding rings (and presumably their vows). Vicke Gene then met and set up house with his male partner but 'respected' his paternity vows towards his daughters

Now (as if that wasn't confusing enough), his former wife shows up at the ECUSA Convention in Minneapolis in FULL SUPPORT of her ex and sporting a button that reads: "Ask me about Gene Robinson". His (now grown up) daughters were also on hand, as was his partner of 13 years.

Bill O'Reilly one of the bishops attending the convention, tonight. He questioned the bishop on why they voted for and approved, today, to "bless" homosexual unions but nor legitimize them with a marriage ceremony. The bishop's response? "Because the Episcopalian Community is not yet ready to take the next step." O'Reilly, in his inimitable fashion, grilled the bishop. He pointed out that the message he (O'Reilly) took away from this vote is that it is okay to "live in sin" with your lover and we will bless that but don't ask us to sanction the relationship. Isn't that a slap in the face of Bishop-Elect Robinson?" To this, the bishop explained that Bishop-Elect Vicki Gene Robinson was chosen for his excellent "moral and religious" example.

Oy vey ... my head is spinning! ROFL ..... I simply can't keep a straight face any more. And neither could O'Reilly.

[Litany]

As far as I'm concerned, the Episcopalian church is no better than the church of Satan. I know there are some God-fearing people left in that denomination...

I agree with rockprof. Moreover, with all due respect to the truly God-fearing Episcopalians, we can't forget that the very origins of this religion came about because a man divorced his wife in the first place.

[Paulus Invictus]

The 20th Century is over. Now what?

[Liz]

......his former wife shows up at the ECUSA Convention in Minneapolis in FULL SUPPORT of her ex and sporting a button that reads: "Ask me about Gene Robinson"....

Old routine.....the wife as political prop. She's getting paid off. Would love to know the extent of her sell-out.

[Snuffington]

Ha! Beat you by over two hours, and you're a full time zone ahead. Eat my Bleat dust!

[chuckwalla]

It seems as though gays believe their guiding impulses are stronger than any other. That that is how life really is and they are ahead of the curve in evoloution.
The rest of us who believe in continuation of the species and self discipline etc are on the wrong side and are eventually to be subjugated to their more true impulses.
But only theirs. If a man feels strongly that he should have several wives that is wrong.
If a person has felt like a criminal his whole life the gays say that is not valid.
Only their impulse is valid and the world should give them everything they want or risk falling behind in the progression of life

[I_Love_My_Husband]

I can't stand the homosexual mindset or lifestyle.

[NYer]

Eat my Bleat dust!

This guy is TOO funny!! Sorry for the double post; it never occurred to me that anyone else knew about Lileks. Thanks for tipping me off!

[Domestic Church]

"The 20th Century is over. Now what?"

The Global Cleansing?

[chuckwalla]

It is very simple.
ME,ME,ME,ME,ME.
Highly self centered.
Sacrifice everything to accomplish their agenda.
No doubt sexual impulses are very strong but most people learn to control them while teenagers.
Some have not and want everyone elso to cater to their unrestrained impulses.

[Snuffington]

No problem for me. I didn't post it for vanity purposes (though trash-talking about being first is still protected). I wish more people read Lileks.

He's not only a great columnist, he used to have a local radio show up here that was quite excellent. A very sharp and entertaining guy.

[NYer]

He's not only a great columnist, he used to have a local radio show up here that was quite excellent. A very sharp and entertaining guy.

Well now I'm jealous :-D

Actually, it was another freeper, American Colleen, who pointed me towards his blog today. I have not stopped laughing since! Will do a FR search before I post again.

[lupie]

bump for later

[Cultural Jihad]

Thanks for posting this prayer.

[The Great RJ]

There's a word for people who leave their children because they don't want to have sex with Mommy anymore: selfish. I'm not a praying man, but I cannot possibly imagine asking God if that would be okay.

AMEN!!!

I certainly have my faults, but at least I can say that I have been committed to my wife for the last 25 years. This despite her being very liberal politically.

[TaxRelief]

What city is her church in?

[yianni]

Where I come from we don’t refer to it as hokey-pokey, although the pokey part of it is close. Poopy-sex, maybe? Fudge packing, etc., but not hokey-pokey.

ECUSA = Rump Episcopal Church

[Fifth Business]

...and I quote Captain James T. Kirk when asked the same question by Kodos the Executioner...

Why does he ruin an otherwise thoughtful article with this quote? Now I'm picturing him banging on his keyboard with his Spock ears wiggling as he arches his eyebrows.

[Last Dakotan]

Fargo proudly claims Lileks as our own.

[Snuffington]

Why does he ruin an otherwise thoughtful article with this quote?

Lileks is sort of a pop-culture, humor, current events, you-had-to-be-there sort of writer. Read "The Bleat" on his web site a few days in a row, and you'll get the idea of his style. Many people read him as a humor writer alone and entirely skip his political/social commentary. I happen to think he blends them pretty well.

[BibChr]

Oh, dang that's good! You're absolutely right.

I don't know if I've ever even been in an Episcopalian church, but his essay just about makes my cheeks burn with shame for this face that a part of the purportedly Christian (?!) church should proudly face the world with this -- THIS -- as its witness.

That an unbeliever has a better view of marriage than many Christians is not to our credit.

Wow. And yow. And thank you for the ping, rhema.

Dan

[gonzo]

"...The 20th Century is over. Now what?..."

Now, we kill a few million of the islamaniacs - just enough to make them quit for good!

Next, we build a large city in say, Wyoming(they could use more people), and quarantine all the fudge-packers in it. Call the city 'Sex-Jump'.

The carpet-commandos can stay as long as they don't buy sperm.........FRegards

[Intolerant in NJ]

"Who are you to judge?" is the standard response...,
"And if thy brother sin rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him" (Luke 17:3) - and the good Bishop sounds as though he is far, far from repentence......

[davisfh]

"Only their impulse is valid and the world should give them everything they want or risk falling behind in the progression of life"

I agree with and understand everything you've said here but am stunned at the same time. Perhaps I've wandered onto the wrong planet. I cannot imagine a world wherein a union of this nature can be legitimized and that the needs of a family, already created, can be totally disregarded.

[chuckwalla]

They mockingly call heterosexuals "breeders".
By making their lower impulses their guidance in life do you think they will be guided to go against themselves and live rightly?
They can only go down. Just watch them.
Why would so many of them be having unprotected sex knowing the tremendous risk of aids that only kills.
Indulging in a practice that kills and wanting that practice legitimized is perverted and anti societal.
Where are they going with this breeder attitude?

[Lady In Blue]

BUMP!

[happygrl]

A very sick man....

I think I know what you mean by that; it's modern rhetoric for "he's a wicked man."

I so hate the escape hatch of illness, much preferring the archaic terms.

Wickedness.

[happygrl]

In one column, self-professed non-believer Lileks has elucidated more Biblical principles than have come out of a week's worth of Episcopalian sanctimony.

Isn't that the truth?

Remember the story of Balaam's Ass: if those called to speak God's word won't do it, He can even make donkeys talk. Apologies to Lileks for the comparison.

[loftyheights]

Actually, it's arguably worse in that it's at least supposed to be Christian. At least with Satan you know what you've got!

[nickcarraway]

touche!

[Artist]

EXCELLENT piece. Thanks for the ping, Dan.

[ThomasMore]

Multiple choice:

The election of Gene Robinson to the post of bishop in the Episcopal conference is a grave error because...

a) He is a self-proclaimed sodomite.
b) He divorced and abandoned his family for a homosexual relationship.
c) He openly promoted sexual perversion amongst adolescents through a website.
d) He cannot be a true bishop because there are no Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church.
e) All of the above.