The Middle of Nowhere - The Rev. Philip DeVaul

Multiple Christian denominations were fractured during the time leading up to the Civil War. The moral issue of slavery was at the center of these splits. Most notably, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Baptists tore in two. As you might suspect, the denominational splits occurred along geographical lines, with northern churches opposing slavery, and southern churches supporting it.  

The Episcopal Church did not split.  

For many years I liked this about my religious tradition. How beautiful it is, I thought to myself, that the differing of opinions and beliefs – no matter how strong – could not split us up. We found the middle and held it. How great is that? 

It’s likely you already see the problem with this and are shaking your head at me. That’s ok. I shake my head at me a lot too. If you’re not there yet, that’s ok too. I’m going to explain.  

Here’s the problem: The Episcopal Church held together by refusing to take a stand on slavery. American slavery - the institutionalized, racist, systemic kidnapping, trafficking, rape, imprisonment, and forced labor of a whole segment of the population upon which much the American economy and infrastructure had been built – was not a dealbreaker for my denomination. Who are we to say where Jesus would stand on this issue?  

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