Another letter From Fr Bob Layne of Kansas Naming Jesus as a Democratic fellow traveler.

[Stevepol]

I was sent another letter from Fr Bob Layne of McPherson, KS (I originally thought he was from Hutchinson), who recently sent a LTTE to the Hutchinson paper in answer to an editorial that made some biased claims about Christianity. I think DU readers might enjoy this one even more because it details some of his interesting life experiences in "affronting others," for example, a run-in with the Very Rev Phelps of Topeka (which my friend has told me about before in some detail).

Enjoy.

He sent the material to my friend who forwarded it to me.

Here's what he said in his email to my friend. His letter to the Episcopal priest follows:

This is in response to a letter I wrote to the McPHERSON SENTINEL calling for people to "vote the party" and not the person, and that perhaps Jesus is a Democrat. I got an angry response from an Episcopal Priest in Larned, KS, denouncing me, saying that I embarrassed his Episcopal Priesthood by claiming mine, and called me "out of my gourd." I think he lost his sense of humor. Anyway, I replied with the following "ooops...I did it again." I've not heard from the Larned priest since. But I thought the Democrats might enjoy my inference.

I don't know your friend who so graciously passed my other letter on. If you think he might be interested in this, would you please "pass it on". I think it speaks well of us Democrats, and I do believe that Jesus is a Democrat "fellow traveler", if not a "card carrier."

Hope all is well with you and yours. Thanks again for all your loving support....

agape and shalom...in Jesus' name

Bob


Oops!! I did it again!! I “affronted” someone!! I truly don’t intend this, and I don’t really enjoy it, but it seems I often “affront” folks. It’s been a regular pattern in my life, and especially in my 40 years of ministry.

Some years ago, when I was a ‘Goldwater Republican’ Senator in the Senate of the Commonwealth of KY, I affronted some fellow legislators by advocating and working for the right of folks of any color to equal respect and service at public accommodations. Those “property rights first” folks were affronted and got really angry.

After I got religion, became a Democrat, resigned the Senate, completed seminary and became a priest, I found myself in the south. Again I affronted folks when I invited and encouraged “black folks” to come and worship with us at our heretofore “whites only” Episcopal parish. I lost some “long timers” with that affront. When I worked for a school system that equally provided for and educated all colors of children, the “separate, but equal” folks took real umbrage at such meddling by an “outside agitator”. When I tried to make sure that all children could equally swim in the “public” swimming pool, the atmosphere got real testy Folks were glad when I departed for Kansas.

The last time I affronted folks was when I faced Fred Phelps, and his minions, on the sidewalks around my parish in Topeka. I invited all who wished to worship the Lord Jesus in spirit and in truth to come in and join the congregation, without fear of a “sexual orientation” purity oath. To me, God’s love was for all people!! The Phelps’ got truly affronted, and called me all manner of names, even promising to “dance at my funeral”. It seems the “moral mafia” can get truly heated when they are confronted.

And lastly, I’m affronting folks even today when I call for “amnesty” for all peaceful, hard-working, and loyal immigrants, no matter how they arrived. It seems only right to offer to others only what we’ve been given. For me, on the cross of Jesus a general amnesty was given by God to all humanity. Jesus freely opened the door to heaven. No one deserved it; no one has legal rights to enter into the Kingdom. It seems only fair that we Christians give to others what we’ve been given. But again, some are shockingly affronted by such a suggestion.

But I must admit that this most recent affront of resulting from my “naming Jesus a Democrat”, such “naming” might be a stretch. But as I explained, I only identified Him with His choice of companions, and with what He said and did: He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and called “peace makers” His kin. Seems that qualifies Jesus as being at least a Democrat sympathizer. And besides, I wanted to rescue the Lord from being held hostage by the Republicans. They’ve claimed Him as their own for decades. Just ask Mike Huckbee!!

Finally, I must affirm that all my “affronting” is done precisely because I’m an Episcopal Priest. I’m trying to follow the lead of my Lord, who during His time among us “affronted” lots of folks. He was even accused by His family of being “off His gourd”. It got so serious, that those whom Jesus affronted crucified Him. Thankfully I’ve avoided that, except for the occasional “childish name calling.” I can handle that!! But sadly it seems that those who are so easily affronted just have no sense of humor. That’s a pity….

The slightly reverend….

Fr. Bob Layne, Episcopal Priest, (retired)

McPherson, Kansas