[Dialogue] Spong on Virginia Tech and RC Pedophiliacs

[Margaret Helen Aiseayew]

I deeply appreciate the Spong postings, but was so aghast at one comment in this last one that I felt compelled to go out on the web and write to Spong himself.  After a bit a time passed (I've been working on my sermon for Sunday and the scripture is Saul's transformation) I felt like I should post to the whole list my note.

Dear Rev. Spong,
I get and read many of your sermons, but was utterly dismayed in your reflections on the VPI tragedy. You used a phrase I have come to abhor, "in the wrong place at the wrong time." I sincerely hope to not seem simplistic, but over the last sixty years as my faith has grown, I have come to believe that this is not possible. It is a part of being participant in the vast mystery that is my God. I do not know, nor can I understand the why and wherefore of things. I can know that I am mortal, and give thanks. I can understand that prayer will not necessarily change that, and give thanks. I can move about the world in utter insecurity (teacing adult Christian education in 34 countries) and face down machine guns and feel "lucky" to come home, and give thanks. I can suffer panic attacks in the cereal aisle of my local grocery because I am so overwhelmed by the abundance there, that is so lacking in so many places of world and not understand how I have the priviledge, demand or option to confront the horror of our consumption, and give thanks. But in no circumstance does my faith, my belief in the ultimate trustworthiness of the unknown unknown, give me permission to say I have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. To me that is wrong headed and diminishes God to a rational understandability that would be the ultimate horror.

Just a thought from someone who appreciates you and yours. (in full awareness of the awesome audacity and sheer nerve/hutzpah of saying so)
Grace and Peace be unto you,
Margaret
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