“Blaming the 29 year old IRD for Mainline Protestantism’s 45 year membership spiral is convenient but nonsensical.” – Mark Tooley, IRD President
Washington, DC—The November 13 General Convention of the Episcopal Church Diocese of New York will consider a resolution to “assess the threat to religious freedom posed by the activities of the IRD and related groups.” The proposed resolution insists on the “right of churches” to operate “without interference” from “private groups” like IRD. Seemingly this version of religious freedom negates freedom of speech for critics of Episcopal Church elites. The resolution wants a “joint task force” of the Episcopal, Presbyterian (USA) and United Methodist Churches to “develop common strategies” against IRD. Inexplicably, the resolution faults IRD for the Episcopal Church’s current litigation over church ownership with departing orthodox congregations. IRD does not support or oppose congregations leaving the Episcopal Church and encourages church members inside and outside the Episcopal Church to work for church renewal.
IRD President Mark Tooley commented:
“The Diocese of New York is one of the most liberal and fastest declining areas of the liberal controlled and fast declining Episcopal Church. Blaming the 29 year old IRD for Mainline Protestantism’s 45 year membership spiral is convenient but nonsensical.
“More constructively, a United Methodist Church special commission has recently faulted the denomination’s own failed leadership for nearly 3 million lost members and is urging, in the words of one religion writer, “Better pastors. Healthier churches. Less bureaucracy.”
“Non-paranoid Episcopalians, inside and outside the Diocese of New York, should consider the Methodist example rather than scapegoating critics like IRD.”
The Institute on Religion & Democracy works to reaffirm the church’s biblical and historical teachings, strengthen and reform its role in public life, protect religious freedom, and renew democracy at home and abroad.
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