Give Me Some of that Old Time Religion

More proof that 'this ain't your father's Episcopal church:'

The Episcopal bishop of Virginia has told his diocese's annual meeting that it's better to live with heresy than split the denomination over homosexuality. Peter James Lee is one of 60 Episcopal bishops who voted last summer to approve the appointment of V. Gene Robinson, the denomination's first openly homosexual bishop. Since then, Lee has been fighting moves by more conservative congregations in the Virginia diocese that have taken a stand against the biblical compromise. In his speech to the 700 delegates on Saturday, Lee said: "If you must make a choice between heresy and schism, always choose heresy."

This isn't about the merits of homosexual clergy, about which people do disagree. But what's the logic in opposing, then conceding for the sake of unity. That's a question of courage--and Bishop Lee has none. Is it any wonder why self-identification as an Episcopal has fallen for decades?