The leader of the Church of England, Justin Welby, has undergone a shift in perspective. In a conversation with Alistair Campbell, he was questioned about the Church’s evolution regarding traditional teachings on intimacy and matrimony. He responded:
“We’ve reached a point where we say all intimate acts should occur within a committed relationship, regardless of orientation.”
This statement, which contradicts the Church’s official stance, has sparked considerable debate. The Church is currently embroiled in an internal conflict over intimate relationships and the definition of marriage.
Two factions have emerged: the ‘progressives’ and the ‘traditionalists’. The progressives are gaining momentum, while the traditionalists are losing ground. The cultural shift is so rapid that traditionalists struggle to find employment in secular fields if they express belief in traditional marriage.
Although the progressives align with current societal trends, they lack the authority to alter Church law, which is intentionally difficult to change. This has led them to adopt a strategy of informally incorporating blessings for same-sex relationships, hoping that widespread practice would eventually facilitate legal changes.
What many in the UK fail to realize is that the larger Anglican church, especially those in Africa, does not hold to the progressive view, and this is true in many other parts of the world where the Lord is on the move.
The Archbishop’s statement presents several issues. While he claims it’s a personal view, it’s presented as representing many bishops. Additionally, the term ‘committed relationship’ lacks a clear definition.
Perhaps most concerning is his assurance that those holding traditional views will maintain their place in the Church, a promise reminiscent of those made during the debate on women’s ordination. History shows that such promises often lead to the exclusion of those holding traditional beliefs.
This situation can be viewed through the lens of competing deities. The Archbishop of Canterbury and much of his Church appear to have shifted allegiance from the traditional Christian God to Aphrodite, the goddess associated with love and intimacy. While Aphrodite supports various forms of intimate relationships, the Christian God emphasizes procreation within marriage.
Modern secular society has largely embraced Aphrodite’s values, rejecting traditional Christian teachings. Surprisingly, the Archbishop of Canterbury seems to have followed suit, along with a significant portion of the state Church.
While this shift may be deeply religious, it cannot be accurately described as Christianity.
