Religious Intolerance Leaves Me Sputtering

Lutheran pastor said his role in #Newtown interfaith service was “community chaplaincy,” but he’s forced to apologize. nyti.ms/14GPRcW

— Philip Turner (@philipsturner) February 8, 2013

This is so ridiculous the tweet above couldn’t do justice to the wrong-headedness and narrow-mindedness of it.

The NY Times reports that Rob Morris, a Lutheran pastor, has been forced by his denomination’s elders to apologize for violating “its prohibition against joint worship with other religions.” Morris took part in the ecumenical service held after the mass murders at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Though he’s said, “I believed my participation to be, not an act of joint worship, but an act of community chaplaincy,” he may still be punished. This, for lending succor to neighbors of all faiths at a time of great anguish, during the same event where President Obama met with grieving families and gave a moving talk.

Forced to apologize for consoling all people, not just his own tribe. That’s repellent. Intolerance and exclusionary theology are repugnant.