See also the Modern Church blog
Resources / Anglican Covenant / Are liberals trying to impose a revisionist agenda on the Church?
This updated collection of linked pages explains the issues and background to the proposed Anglican Covenant, and why it will not create open, forward-looking, twenty-first century churches.
These pages were written by Jonathan Clatworthy and Paul Bagshaw.
First edition July 2010, updated January 2012 with extensive links to other literature.
Modern Church is a membership organisation that promotes liberal theology.
We hold an annual conference, produce a quarterly theological journal and members' newsletter, publish books and articles, and encourage theological debate.
The Covenant pages - previous • next
It's a common accusation, but no. On the contrary, it is usually made by people who are trying to impose their agendas.
For people brought up to think that everybody in their church ought to believe the same thing, it is easy to mistake an appeal for tolerance as a demand for new teaching. In the current debate, liberals are not all trying to impose the view that there is nothing wrong with gay and lesbian sexuality. Some liberals believe it is wrong, others do not. What liberals have in common is that we accept the difference of opinion and think both sides should be heard in open discussion and debate, without either side being expelled or demoted or treated as 'second track'.
What we find unsatisfactory about the present situation is that supporters of the Covenant are using positions of power to suppress the debate and treat their view as the only legitimate one. This is indeed a case of imposing their agenda on the whole Anglican Communion.
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