That statement was made by Archbishop Paul Kim, Primate of the Province of Korea during a sermon at Christ Church Cathedral in the Diocese of New Westminster.
It fits well with the mushy theology of the diocese, as do Paul Kim’s views on blessing same-sex unions.
The problem is, it does matter: if Christianity is true then the statement is nonsense. A Buddhist would not accept Christ’s Divinity, his freely-chosen atoning death on the cross, his Resurrection, or the gift of eternal life through Christ’s propitiatory sacrifice. A Buddhist is “dead in his sins”, is unreconciled to God and has dubious prospects in the hereafter. Moreover, although the world may need people who lead a Christ-like life, those who attempt to do so will not be saved by their works, since we are saved by grace not works.
This leads me to conclude that Archbishop Paul Kim either: doesn’t believe that Christianity is true; doesn’t know what it is; or is illogical. Take your pick.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are Buddhists or Christians, Jews or Gentiles, the world needs people who lead Christ’s life.”
These were the words spoken by the interpreter, the Reverend Aidan Koh, (Chaplain, St.James Episcopal School, Los Angeles) near the conclusion of Archbishop Paul Kim’s address at a Celebration of the Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral marking the Birth of John the Baptist, Tuesday, June 25th, 2013.
Archbishop Kim, en route to the Diocese of Peterborough in England (there are 6 Korean clergy in ministry in that diocese) from the Episcopal Asiaamerica Ministries Conference that ran June 20th to June 24th wanted to stop in Vancouver to visit the Diocese of New Westminster and to pay his respects to Bishop Michael Ingham and his legacy of prophetic witness.
Archbishop Kim has been a vocal advocate in the Asian region and across the Anglican Communion for justice, particularly as it relates to sexuality.
I agree with the Abp. that we need a world full of people who lead a Christ-like life. Yes, they may be dead to their sins and have dubious prospects in the hereafter, but that isn’t my problem. And of course if they lead a Christ-like life they may come to know Christ and become true Christians. Or they may not. But if they behave in that way it can’t help but improve the world. I strongly believe in “act as if”. If you act as if you’re a Christian you may well become one.
We can lead them to Christ, but we can’t make them believe. Just the same as others can’t make us “unbelieve”. Many martyrs have proven that.
There is no real doubt; the “archbishop” doesn’t believe in Christianity.
Bet he believes in his right to collect a salary, tho. 🙂
The Dalai Lama put it this way, “If you can, help and serve others, but if you can’t at least don’t harm them; then in the end you will feel no regret.”
I find it hard to find fault with that sentiment and I recognize that there is no point in trying to force him to abandon the Gelug school of Buddhism.
I know nothing of Archbishop Paul Kim; however, if he is associating with Peter Elliott [who has a track record of being excessively attentive and overly nice in an attempt to ingratiate himself with any Anglican superior] at this time I can think of a number of possible reasons:-
1] Kim has been recruited by the ‘Elect Elliott as Bishop of New Westminster’ campaign,
2] Kim is confused about the meaning of leading a “Christly life”,
3] If Kim thinks Ingham leaves a legacy of prophetic witness he should solicit the winning numbers for next weeks 6/49 lottery jackpot,
4] Kim is one of many gay/lesbian people within the Anglican priesthood with a hidden agenda and is doing the rounds [Ottawa and Hiltz next stop], or
5] Any of the above, because Kim’s trip is basically a junket in order to travel and splurge Anglican charitable dollars…
If the inquisition said that my choice was to renounce the Dalai Lama as a Buddhist heretic and then worship as an Anglican under the so-called spiritual guidance of wannabe bishop Elliott, then they had better light up the pile of faggots and send me on my way to hell.
I was present at this service, and heard Archbishop Kims sermon. (Well, most of it. He spoke in Korean, and it was translated…But, some of the translator’s words were difficult to hear).
He did say “It doesn’t matter if you are Buddhists, or…”, but it wasn’t something he emphasized, and it wasn’t a theme in his sermom. The Diocesan Press Officer, who works in the Synod Office, did, however, highlight this comment in the write-up.
His sermon, I thought, was a safe sermon. But, he did not say anything about Bishop Ingham being a prophetic Bishop. Neither did he refer to same-sex blessings at all. Not in his sermon. His sermon was a regular sermon, with some references to the readings. Now, in the Press Officer’s write up, he does write that the ARchbishop was visiting to pay respects to Ingham. Also,the Press Officer wrote that Archbishop Kim is an advocate for “justice” and speaks up about “sexuality” issues back in south Korea. When I read that, I wondered, does that refer to same-sex issues, or could it refer to womans rights’ issues??? I honestly don’t know. I am suspicious the Press Officer may be hearing what he wants to hear, or writing to exaggerate his boss’s status. My impression, is the main reason for his visit, was to meet and support a Korean woman recently ordained in this Diocese, as well as support other Korean Canadian persons.
OK Kim remains a mystery; however, it sounds as if the Diocesan press officer is a member of the ‘Elect Elliott as Bishop of New Westminster’ campaign.
Elliott, who is Randy Murray’s de facto boss already [and Commissary in September] was recently spotted on Fife Street in Winnipeg wearing a blond wig and Luxuriator sunglasses; sneaking into Gaspard and Sons for a fitting of his inaugural vestments. A man fitting the press officer’s description in chauffeur’s garb and cheaper sunglasses was waiting outside curbside in an unmarked Diocesan stretch limo …
The English rag Daily Mail, renown for its obsession with the female body [preferably, with the minimum amount of clothing] published a series of photo’s by Kenneth Bamberg’s entitled “Flowers”. It shows boys of the Shan tribe dressed up in bright colors and adorned with make-up, jewelry and flowers, often a vivid pink. The ritual, called ‘Poi Sang Long,’ aims to mimic the young Prince Siddhartha before he became Lord Buddha. It sits in stark contrast to male rites of passage in other cultures, which tend to comprise either danger, pain or the threat of isolation, and to many in the Western world would appear far more feminine than masculine.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2352116/Kenneth-Bamberg-photographs-The-bizarre-manhood-ritual-boys-dress-pink-silk-flowers.html
Dare I say that the rite appears to be very beautiful, but I wonder what the Canadian homophobes would make of it?
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I have no idea what “Canadian homophobes” would make of it. In fact, I cannot recall encountering people with such a phobia. I have encountered a few people who had phobias about things like spiders, heights or closed spaces.
I do know many people who are opposed to same-sex marriage, however. They are definitely not homophobic, and in fact I doubt most of them suffered from any phobias at all. I’m pretty sure they would look upon this as a cultural ritual which aims to mimic the young Prince Siddhartha before he became Lord Buddha.
You got me this time, old chap! I had to go to Wikipedia for the definition, below:-
“Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender [LGBT] It can be expressed as antipathy, contempt, prejudice, aversion, or hatred, may be based on irrational fear, and is sometimes related to religious beliefs.”
Apologies to any who may feel I have overstepped the line; one thing however; please tell me why when 14 year old Chris Martin [a boy whose sexual identity has caused him problems at school] decided to wear black eyeliner, eye shadow and lipstick on the last day of eighth grade at Meadowlawn Middle School in St. Petersburg, such a storm of homophobic protest came from Anonymous?
Somebody, you I think, decided to label me an Anglophobe; which as an Irishman I might have some reason to be; however, you lacked any evidence for such a charge, and indeed none exists.
I absolutely love the Brits: the accents; the Royals; Downton Abbey; MI5 with Sir Harry. Monty Python and the Proms…
Ah! The food: over-boiled offal, beef dripping on toast, fish and chips, bangers and mash; toad in the hole; Marmite; jellied eels and pickled onions.
The endless pessimism [when you hail from Eire, a land that wakes death; suffers aversity with cheerfulness, hope and open commensality], it’s easy to understand why British sneering, cynicism and gloom mongering can seem refreshing, and
The swearing; a nation that made tossers; berks and lawyers and bankers [and other such wa**ers] a household word is a gifted nation..
You are the sunshine of my life! TTFN.
I have never met the person who posts here as Anonymous so I do not know him or her. The opponents of same-sex marriage I do know are not homophobic, even by Wikipedia’s definition.
That’s the way it should be as far as your own circle of friends is concerned…
You engaged in the debate though, so I am sure you read Anonymous'[she is a ‘her’] venomous drivel… I have known many bigots, but she is in a class of her own.
BTW, just kidding about the British food which I am sure has improved since WWII and winning the war, then promptly losing the peace, and I forgot my biggest beef: warm beer!
However, I bought a very passable pint of Guinness in London Airport a few years back.
Toodle-pip!
I never said anything about them being in my circle of friends.
I have run into more than one outstanding bigot on this board.
As far as British food is concerned, try Simpsons-in-the-Strand for roast beef, and then head to Edinburgh for some fine dining.
Thanks for the tip…
But, do not the inhabitants of Edinburgh consider themselves Scots? Certainly Brythonic Celts; not Anglo Saxons.
I ate haggis just once [too much Glenmorrangie on Burns Night]: it was offal, literally and paronomasiatically!
Celts yes. Brythonic not much. Too far north, unless you are thinking of the ancient Picts. Scottish Gaelic differs greatly from Welsh. Besides, Edinburgh is in a part of Scotland where Scots, rather than Gaelic, was predominant. Scots is a dialect of English.
In any event, Scotland is still part of Great Britain, and I think the majority still consider themselves British overall, regardless of the Scottish separatist movement and the varied national origins of Edinburgh’s inhabitants.
“Homophobia, n. term invented by campaigning homosexuals in order to intimidate any criticism of homosexuality of any sort. Supposedly involves accusing those who disagree with being insane, and usually treated as synonymous with accusation of bigotry or law-breaking. See racism for methodology.”
Probably by the wannabee bishop of New Westminster, d’you think?
I doubt you are unaware the term dates from the 1960s.
Oh, I do not think Elliott invented it, but he sure has used it…
Sorry, sometimes my deep and utter dislike for the wannabee bishop of New Westminster as a so-called man of God overcomes my better instincts.
Whip me; beat me; make me write bad cheques…