Oprah, Atheists, and the Gift of Ambiguity

There is a reason we sang 'Amazing Grace'

By The Very Rev. Walter B.A. Brownridge

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 10, 2013


On Wednesday, I was among more than 40 clergy from a variety of Christian and other faith traditions, and over 70 lay people, who came to show support within the faith community in Hawaii for Marriage Equality in the form of Senate Bill 1.

Even though there were tense moments of heckling and an attempted coup of the legislative process, we stood firm and sang "Amazing Grace."

After singing this hymn I shared with the crowd the reason I believe the Episcopal Church, including the Diocese of Hawaii, has endorsed same-sex marriage. It is rooted in cultural norms and in our Baptismal Covenant. We are called to respect the dignity of every human being and to strive for justice and peace among all people.

Here's what I said:

"Amazing Grace" is one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world. John Newton was a Church of England priest and English poet and wrote this hymn in 1779. This hymn is John Newton's spiritual autobiography in verse. With the message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of sins committed, and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God -- "Amazing Grace" -- Newton wrote the words from personal experience.

After leaving the British Royal Navy, Newton became involved in the Atlantic slave trade, and made money from it. At that time, much of the Church endorsed slavery as a practice that existed from the Biblical era.

In 1748, a violent storm battered Newton's ship so severely that he called out to God for mercy, a moment that marked the beginning of his spiritual conversion. However, as proof that conversion is often slow and ongoing, he continued his slave-trading career until 1754 or 1755, when he ended his seafaring altogether and began studying Christian theology. It was as Newton began to study theology that he grew in his realization that slavery was a sin, and after ordination, the Rev. Newton dedicated his life and ministry to abolishing the slave trade and slavery.

Newton did not live to see slavery's demise, but he did live to see the end of the slave trade in the British Empire, through the efforts of William Wilberforce, a member of the British Parliament. With Newton's spiritual and professional advice, Wilberforce was a leader in the campaign against the slave trade, not just in Britain but eventually throughout the British Empire.

I share this story because it is an example of the conversion of the Church -- its members and clergy -- on an important issue of social justice and change. It can be an example of how our own attitudes and practices can evolve as the Holy Spirit leads us to deeper conversion. While I realize that not everyone may agree with me and the direction of the Episcopal Church, I think that graciousness, civility and respect for those with opposing views, as marked by the witness of men like Newton and Wilberforce, can lead us to show that same grace to those in the public square with whom we disagree.

I thank all those who came to the Capitol in support of marriage equality and showed how strong our voice can be in the midst of anger and hatred. I believe that by our presence and prayers we sent a balm of healing energy as we stood on the side of love and justice, proclaiming the truth in the public square.

Honolulu Star Advertiser, November 10, 2013