Bishop Offers Prayer of “Earth and Cosmos” at Climate March

on September 25, 2014

Bloggers have been busy over the past week documenting various eccentricities and alleged excesses of the People’s Climate March recently held in New York City. Among my favorites is this little-noticed invocation given by California Episcopal Church Bishop Marc Andrus at the conclusion of the “People of Faith” service held in conjunction with the march on Sunday, September 21.

From Bishop Andrus’ blog:

“Who calls the clouds of Monarch Butterflies to their annual 4,000-mile migration?”

“The Earth!”

“Who prompts the Arctic Tern in the air, and the Blue Whale in the Ocean to make their 12,000-mile migration?”

“The Earth!”

“Who starts the 500-mile Serengeti Migration, beginning with 250,000 Zebras, then 1.7 million Wildebeasts, and 400,000 Gazelles?”

“The Earth!”

“And who called you to make your journeys, from Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, California, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and Everywhere to come to the People’s Climate March?”

“The Earth!”

“Then you are the prayer of the Earth, you are her invocation to God! The Earth and the Cosmos have reached out and called you to make your life a prayer for healing, peace, justice and integrity!”

Seemingly inspired by the language of the Psalmist, Andrus imagines a sentient Earth — rather than the divine creator — calling to animals and activists alike.

Andrus has a history of advocacy, arrested early on in his episcopacy for blocking the front door of the San Francisco federal building to protest the Iraq war. The top official of the San Francisco-based diocese also complained bitterly in 2012 through a press statement that he was denied seating at San Francisco Roman Catholic Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s installation, something that officials with the Archdiocese contested.

Both Cordileone and Andrus quickly found themselves on opposite sides of the same-sex marriage debate. The Roman Catholic archbishop lead the national March for Marriage in Washington, D.C. and Andrus convened press conferences at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral in support of the Supreme Court decisions overturning the Defense of Marriage Act and declining to hear an appeal on the overturn of California’s Proposition 8 by a lower court.

The Episcopal Diocese of California has lost 3,400 members and attendance has declined 15 percent since Andrus was installed as bishop in 2006.

  1. Comment by Marty on September 25, 2014 at 10:03 am

    If Dante were rewriting The Divine Comedy today, he’d probably include some new people in his Inferno – the clergy publicity ho.
    “I’m not so sure I believe in God, but by gum, I sure do love to see myself on video! Hey, look at me! I’m RELEVANT!”

  2. Comment by Nick Porter on September 25, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    I think all of those clergy would fit nicely under the 8th circle of Fraud.

  3. Comment by Karmasue on October 2, 2014 at 8:52 am

    You don’t put quotations marks around words you have made up. Those are your words…not his. You may not like what he said, but don’t misquote him. If you are going to mock him, you should at least take responsibility for your own words.

  4. Comment by Marty on October 3, 2014 at 7:42 am

    I didn’t say they were his words.

    I know his type. Gave up God long ago, so they don’t want His approval, so they settle for getting the approval of secular liberals. The godless clergy have been doing that for over 50 years. If they had any honesty and decency they would admit they are atheists and find another job.

  5. Comment by The_Physetor on September 25, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Back in the 1980s, the PCUSA’s general assembly opened with some weird American Indian sage-pip-e-smoking ritual (awwww, so multiculti!), but it hasn’t yet paid off in a rush of American Indians into the church – or anyone else, for that matter. We used to go to church for communion wafers, now all we get is fruitcakes.

  6. Comment by 4TimesAYear on September 25, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    Gaia worship. Don’t know why they don’t defrock every pastor that does this. Don’t know why/when Christians stopped policing their own. Far too many witches in the church.

  7. Comment by Kyle on September 25, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    I wonder if the saintly bishop ever read John’s Gospel in the original Greek. The word kosmos, “world,” is almost always used in a negative sense. Whatever God called us to, it is not Kosmos worship.

  8. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 26, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    Wow, there seems to be a lot of criticism of the good reverend Andrus!
    Whether we wish to dice words like the Greek word: Kosmos, with the lack of Godliness seems cheap. I always thought God created the Cosmos?
    At least that’s what I hear most Christians spout.

    The small issue of Bishop Andrus using the name: Earth instead of God, shouldn’t make any difference since He supposedly IS both!

  9. Comment by Nick Porter on September 26, 2014 at 5:41 pm

    No, it isn’t the same, and it’s a testament to the state of his diocese and TEC as a whole. What you see as small, well, it isn’t.

  10. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 26, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    So, the Cosmos isn’t the creation of God?

    Please explain, Nick Porter?
    Why is it so important to note the number of parishioners who have moved from one denomination to another?
    It would seem, by that metric, that Religion is undergoing a constant flux. But then what isn’t!

  11. Comment by Nick Porter on September 26, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    God is the Creator of all things. He is God,Father,Son,and Holy Spirit…not Father,Son,Holy Spirit,Earth. Stop being obtuse for once, MarcoPolo. It’s important to note the number because of the actions of him and other clergy in TEC and that the result of these actions would be more people walking out of the door, it’s worth noting because they don’t see it so it needs to be said over and over again.

  12. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 26, 2014 at 7:56 pm

    Dear Nick Porter,
    At the risk of sounding picky, allow me to question the confusion I have over some religious minutiae….

    If there is only ONE God, and God is everything, how then is it wrong to refer to the earth as His majestic expression?
    I understand that a good Christian wouldn’t worship the Earth, but might worship God’s ability to provide such a creation.

    Also, I’ve found it confusing when I hear devout Christians state that “Jesus is Lord” …how then, is that not a blasphemous statement?
    If there is but one God, and suggesting that Jesus is Lord, that seems to usurp the patriarchal structure?

    How many Gods are being lauded here?
    And thank you for noticing my desire to be obtuse on subjects that require an open mind.

    Thanks in advance for your insight to these issues.

  13. Comment by Nick Porter on September 26, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    I’m not going to get into doctrinal issues with you. We’ve done this dance before. The majority of Christians believe in the Trinity which is also categorized as a Holy Mystery. Here at IRD, people like Andrus are scorned, and rightly so. Why you still post here is beyond my understanding.

  14. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 29, 2014 at 8:40 am

    I’m here for the same reasons many others are…to inquire! And to learn! Thank you very much!

  15. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    You’re one of the biggest trolls on here. I saw right through you a long time ago. So I’m making people aware of this.

  16. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 29, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    I would imagine other people are capable of making up their own minds as to whether someone is a Troll.
    But you should do whatever you feel necessary, in order to keep the internet safe from progressive minds and ideas.

    Bless you, Nick Porter.

  17. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    There are plenty of places on the internet where people like you spread their poison, you should go join them. I let them be. Anyone with half a brain would see through your facade. Don’t bless me. Just go join the rest of the rodents on pages where they cater to your “progressive ideas”.

  18. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 29, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    I’m not sure why you think I have no ‘place’ here?
    There are more than just Conservatives on this site, and you don’t speak for them…But I thank you for trying to find a place for me.
    I don’t join groups…I think for myself, but thanks anyway.

  19. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    I KNOW you don’t have a place here, and while you’re correct that I don’t speak for them, (never said I did), I’m pretty positive that they would agree with me. You seem like a person that doesn’t do much thinking at all really. It’s evident though all your posts.

  20. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 29, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    Yeah, I think ignoring one another will work. … adiós brother♡

  21. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    You’re not my brother.

  22. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    Why are you so hurtful Nick? I thought Christians believed that we are all brothers and sisters.

  23. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 4:37 pm

    Not hurtful at all, Karmasue. I just don’t candy coat the truth. We don’t have the same Father, so no, we’re not brothers.

  24. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 4:43 pm

    “Whoever says he is in the light and hates
    his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in
    the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling” (1 John 2:9–10).

  25. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    I never said I hate him, just not claiming him as my brother, sorry if that’s difficult for you to understand.

  26. Comment by Linda on September 29, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    You take a firm stand, good for you. We need more Christians with spines.

  27. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    People need to take a stand to these people online AND in person. Silence is consent.

  28. Comment by Linda on September 29, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    And it’s the reason we left the mainline church long ago – spineless Politically Correct clergy. so sad.

  29. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    I get what you are doing. The only difficult thing to understand is…why.

  30. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 5:16 pm

    Anyone who professes Christ as Lord and Savior and lives his/her life according to scripture is my brother or sister. Simple as that,Karmasue. That’s why.

  31. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 6:23 pm

    I guess I didn’t really know that only Christians can be the brothers and sister of other Christians. And so others are…what, then? What spiritual relationship, if any, can you have with non- Christians, or someone you believe doesn’t live their life the way you do?

  32. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    Spiritual? In my opinion, none. I can only speak for me,however. Everyone else would be just an acquaintance.

  33. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    How sad. I really mean that. We should all have a spiritual connection, whether we are Christian, Jew, Muslim, Spiritualist, or Atheist. We are all God’s children whether we recognize that or not. Just because we don’t all give that Creative force the same name, doesn’t change what each of us, in our own way, knows is true about our spiritual connection. Do you believe in an afterlife, Nick?

  34. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    Of course I do, and we choose where we’re going by our own actions, heaven or hell. Don’t feel sad for me. We’re all His creation yes, but His children, no we all are not. There’s a difference. He would like us to be, and He gave us that gateway through Jesus Christ. Some of us believe in absolutes. You’re free to your own views however.

  35. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    I do have my own views. And hard as I try, I cannot even fathom a God who would turn away someone who had spent a lifetime being loving and kind to all His creatures, just because that person didn’t meet the bar set by today’s Christians.

  36. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    The bar was set by Him. The standards were always the same, the Truth has not changed. Society and culture will continue to change, but not His Truth, it will remain until the end of days. We are free to accept or reject it. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

  37. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    What kind of love would you give if you learned that one of your own children was gay?

  38. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    I’d tell them the truth about God’s Word, but I can’t make them follow it. Would I abandon them? Of course not. Would I support their actions? Not a chance. Sugar coating isn’t love,Karmasue. Lying to make someone feel better about their actions IS NOT LOVE.

  39. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    Then I hope your children are not gay, Nick.

  40. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    It’s not something many parents would want Karmasue, for their children to hand their lives over to Satan. No parent who believes in God’s Word wants that.

  41. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    It would not matter to me that my child was gay or straight. My concern would be only for their personal safety and happiness. It is you who believes that satan is involved, not me.

  42. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 10:33 pm

    That is abundantly clear,Karmasue. You’re free to reject, that you will have to take up with the Father on your day of judgment. Have a good evening.

  43. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 10:36 pm

    Thank you…you have the same!

  44. Comment by Jason P Taggart on September 30, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    Everyone hopes their children are not gay.

  45. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 30, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    Jason, you can’t possibly believe that every parent hopes their children aren’t Gay.
    What about those parents who are themselves, Gay?

    Personally, I’m delighted when someone’s child comes out of the closet to their parent, only to find that their parents comfort them, and reaffirm their love for them.

    Being Gay isn’t the same as being deviant, (as I presume you think it is).

    You know it wasn’t that long ago that being left-handed was thought to be a deviant personality flaw. Even Satan’s name was associated with it.

    I’m not seeking to change your belief. I would only seek to understand WHY you think the way you do.

    Is it like the bumper sticker: “God said it, so that settles it!”

  46. Comment by Marty on October 3, 2014 at 7:45 am

    Safe to assume you do NOT have kids (good!) or you would not post something that ridiculous. No matter how left wing nutty someone is, he doesn’t want his own child to be gay.

  47. Comment by MarcoPolo on October 3, 2014 at 8:09 am

    Sorry to disappoint you Marty, but I have parented a boy, and a girl. Not from my loin, but the children of my partner at the time.
    You see, only someone who is insecure, would worry about something that superficial. Just as some parents feel disappointed when their children choose not to produce grandchildren. It’s really an ego thing for those parents…not love. And that’s sad!

    I purposefully withheld the gender of my partner, to further puzzle you. Because you see, it really doesn’t matter!

    I hope your children will feel free to grow up as healthy individuals in spite of their father’s prejudice.

    With love,
    Marcopolo

  48. Comment by Marty on October 6, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    So I was correct: you yourself do not have children. Also: thanks.

    I’ve never guessed wrong yet.

    I’m not puzzled over your “partner” and don’t care. Promiscuous heterosexuals find common cause with homosexuals. Loveless, no-string sex is the common bond, and I have no problem if you choose to live that way. I do have problems with anyone claiming to be “Christian” and just using another human being as a semen receptacle. Even if I were an atheist, I would believe that using people that way is wrong. I am glad that most of that ilk are not having children, so not adding their traits to the gene pool is a good thing. Demographically, Christians have a major genetic advantage over the heathen.

  49. Comment by MarcoPolo on October 7, 2014 at 8:04 am

    Dear Marty,
    You’ve made some grand assumptions without even knowing me…yet you claim to be superior simply by your choice of religion…Wow! How smug!
    No matter, I still love you, but God may have some issues with your ego.
    Namaste’

  50. Comment by Marty on October 3, 2014 at 7:43 am

    Good verse. Too bad you don’t follow it. No love in your posts.

  51. Comment by Karmasue on October 3, 2014 at 11:22 am

    No love in MY posts? LOL! Maybe you need to reread the posts of your own “Christians” about this Pastor. All of the passionate abhorrence has come from them, not from me.

  52. Comment by Linda on September 29, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    The truth is never hurtful. Speaking truth is the most loving act.

  53. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    Not true…the truth, as you see it, can be extremely hurtful.

  54. Comment by Jason P Taggart on September 30, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    You just summed up liberalism. The truth is extremely hurtful – not to conservatives.

  55. Comment by Karmasue on September 30, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    That being hurtful is not an issue for conservatives is true. That being hurtful IS an issue for liberals is true and that I am, for the most part, an unabashed liberal is also true. What is NOT true is that this pastor (or anyone in his church) is any less likely to walk with their God again someday than you are.

  56. Comment by Jason P Taggart on September 30, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    If you find disagreement so distasteful, you really need to avoid blogs. Adults discuss things without getting emotional. There are lots of very bright men and women who comment on this side, you don’t seem to be able to accept disagreement as adults do.

  57. Comment by Karmasue on September 30, 2014 at 2:09 pm

    I don’t find disagreement distasteful. I find name-calling, hateful rhetoric and bullying distasteful. And I have yet to call you a moron, or tell you that you are Satan’s prodigy, or say you are not welcome here and should find another place to comment. I believe it was Nick who said “Silence is consent”. So I am not silent.

    And it is pretty apparent that you are not familiar with normal emotions, as I have yet to get emotional.

  58. Comment by Nick Porter on September 26, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    I’m not going to get into doctrinal issues with you. We’ve done this dance before. The majority of Christians believe in the Trinity which is also categorized as a Holy Mystery. Here at IRD, people like Andrus are scorned, and rightly so. Why you still post here is beyond my understanding.

  59. Comment by Jason P Taggart on September 29, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    Sorry, I don’t regard him as “the good reverend,” he’s just a publicity sponge. His denomination is in the tank, and what’s he doing, silly cheap publicity stunts.

  60. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    “Nice agape love you got going there.” <– Your words Jason.

  61. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    To lie would be true hatred. This is real love. Tough love.

  62. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    “Nice agape love you got going there.” <– Your words Jason.

  63. Comment by Jason P Taggart on September 27, 2014 at 11:11 am

    Imagine this:
    “Episcopal Bishop Proudly Announces His Diocese Has Doubled in Membership.”

    Not gonna happen. But hey, there’s other ways to get attention.

  64. Comment by Ken M on September 27, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    Does this nincompoop have a clue what “nature worship” really means? Nature is NASTY – I mean, yeah, we can admire the intricacy of it all and the sheer breadth and diversity of God’s creation, but the world is a dangerous place, populated mainly by predators who survive by the kill-or-be-killed principle. The Hebrews differed from every religion around them, worshiping the Creator but not the creation, and not allowing any images of the Creator. Turn this bishop loose in a jungle without his cell phone and computer and air conditioning, see how long he would be singing the praises of the “Cosmos.” The Cosmos, dear bishop, is lethal. Thankfully, it’s not our final destination.

  65. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 29, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    If you don’t live WITH Nature, you’ll curse the day you have to live without it!

  66. Comment by Darah Gaz on September 29, 2014 at 9:08 am

    San Francisco…. I’m surprised he didn’t wear flowers in his hair.

  67. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 4:37 pm

    What is it about the Episcopal Church generally that you folks detest so much? They don’t have any more religious differences from you than, say…Jews or Muslims. And you don’t despise the Jews or Muslims, right?

  68. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    You’re off topic.

  69. Comment by Karmasue on September 29, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    The topic (until you changed it in order to tell someone they shouldn’t have the right to comment here) has been centered on trashing the Episcopal Church – and particularly this pastor. I just don’t get why you all dislike (since the word “hate” bothers you) this Pastor and the Episcopal Church so much that the comments are so hostile (fruitcakes, “clergy publicity ho”, witches, Gaia worship).

  70. Comment by Nick Porter on September 29, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    Their actions over the past 20 years speaks louder than any words anyone here could say,Karmasue. If you don’t “get that”, do some research on your own.

  71. Comment by Jason P Taggart on September 29, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    No, they trashed themselves.
    Their numbers tell the story. People got tired of the trash, moved on to real churches.

  72. Comment by Linda on September 29, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    They aren’t Christians, they are club that meets on Sundays to socialize. Nothing wrong with that, but calling themselves “Christians” is false. they do not support Christian ethics, they oppose.

  73. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 29, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    The Episcopal Church is of the Anglican Church. Still Christian…granted there have been many permutations!
    But then, aren’t we all just splitting hairs when denoting the differences of various Christian denominations?

    So for you, Linda, Jews would just be people who gather after sundown on Fridays? Forget that they are just as valid in their religion as you, but “different”! Hmm?

    It would be my wish that all the world’s religions would observe at least one day a year, when they honored one another. It would definitely be a Holiday, and it might actually be a move toward understanding!

  74. Comment by Jason P Taggart on September 29, 2014 at 6:13 pm

    Notice that the flakier the religious left gets, the odder their attire becomes. Notice the stoles the clergy are wearing. They threw aside all traditional beliefs, they seem to be doing the same with their garb.

  75. Comment by MarcoPolo on September 29, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    At the risk of scolding another person for making trite, snarky observations…
    Have you noticed, Jason P Taggart, that the Catholic Church regale it’s clergy in monumentally majestic cloaks, yet the Protestant hold to the simple unadulterated frocks?
    So is that close to the point of your observation and comment?
    Neither should evoke any kind of character judgement, but rather a
    costume distinction that speaks to ones faith.
    Wear your ‘colors”…represent! Street Gangs do the same thing.

    I’m guessing that the vestments of our ordained Gay brethren, with the rainbow spectrum really upsets you?

  76. Comment by Jason P Taggart on September 30, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    If Episcopalians are Christians, the term “Christian” no longer has meaning.

    Btw, your comment about Catholics makes no sense. I am not Catholic and this is not a Catholic blog. Do you live somewhere outside the US? You might not be familiar with the different denominations in America.

  77. Comment by MarcoPolo on October 2, 2014 at 8:15 am

    My point to you, Jason, regarding the garb was in response to your remark about the stoles worn in the headline photo.
    By your comment, and my agreement, it would seem one can distinguish traditionalists, from the avant garde by their robes, and that’s reasonable.
    (Sometimes New Orleans is considered “outside” the US).
    Costuming (which along with protection from the elements, is what clothing is intended for), and it can mark many things. Remember when RN’s used to wear hats of their collegiate training centers?
    Even as a naturist, I can appreciate costuming.

    This blog isn’t exclusively for Christians, just as the world isn’t just for one denomination. “Welcome” should be the operative salutation if we are to ever become better acquainted.

    Namaste’

  78. Comment by Mark Bell on November 23, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    Stuff and nonsense.

  79. Comment by Jeff Jankowiak on March 27, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    So much nonsense from a dying church.

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