More Evidence Of The Merge

More Evidence of The Merge (thanks to Slice of Laodicea for the heads up):

Institute on Religion and Democracy: Washington, DC—An Episcopal priest who has received a Buddhist lay ordination has been elected bishop in the Diocese of Northern Michigan. The Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester, who has served in the diocese since 2001, was elected on the first ballot and received 88 percent of the delegate votes.

The results of the election are now sent for consent to all bishops with jurisdiction and standing committees across the Episcopal Church, in what is usually viewed as a rubber-stamp procedure.

Forrester, who has been identified by his former bishop Jim Kelsey as ‘walking the path of Christianity and Zen Buddhism together, is not the first Episcopal clergyman to practice dual faiths. In 2004, Pennsylvania priest Bill Melnyk was revealed to be a druid; while in 2007 Seattle priest Ann Holmes Redding declared that she was simultaneously an Episcopalian and a Muslim. Both Melnyk and Redding were eventually inhibited from priestly duties.

Unquote.

IRD president said in part:

Quote:

Buddhism is not merely a series of practices, saying so devalues it. Buddhism is an entire worldview.

These interfaith innovations go far beyond witnessing and respecting other faith traditions. They seek to blend Christianity with other belief systems in a way that ultimately compromises the message of the Gospel.

While church leaders may respect other faiths, their vow of Christian ordination has always meant an exclusive commitment to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith.

Unqote.

"Respect" of other religions ends up accepting other religions. God says this is prohibited. There is nothing to respect. God does not respect lies and deception, so why do "Christians" think they should? What is respectable in religions that reject Jesus Christ?

If people respect the Roman Catholic Church on any level, accepting its history, fathers, ecumenical councils, baptism, etc., they will indeed respect other religions, and in many cases come to accept such religions. As a matter of fact, here's what the RCC says:

Rome’s Nostra Aetate given in Oct. 1965 by “Pope” Paul 6th : The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions [Hinduism, Buddism]… The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself, merciful and all-powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth...

RCC Catechsim #843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."

RCC Cat. # 841 The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

Roman Catholicism embraces other pagan religions, because it is itself pagan, even if they use Christian words and a few verses from Scripture. They have a works religion as do those they embrace. We are not to embrace any of that. The road to eternal life is narrow and hard and few that find it.

Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

1Co 5:11 But now I am writing to you NOT TO ASSOCIATE with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one.

2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?