New Church Life Nov/Dec 2014 | Page 21

     and care for them. Those who feel hurt by this position need respect, a willingness to listen, and efforts to see where we can be together in embracing the teachings of the Lord. A related concern is the acrimony surrounding this subject for some. People don’t just disagree, at times they attack those with whom they disagree, sometimes even attributing hellish motives to them. So we hear statements such as: “those who want to ordain women aren’t reading the Word or taking it seriously,” or “it’s just a power thing with the clergy, keeping control of their men’s club.” Attributing motives to another or otherwise denigrating those with whom we disagree does not lead to rational thought, and invites the presence of the hells. If we need to disagree let us do it without being ugly wi Ѡ