Greg Griffith of Stand Firm continues his investigation of the Buddhist bishop-wannabe in the Episcopal Church’s Northern Michigan diocese, and comes up with a whopper. The Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester’s syncretism apparently isn’t restricted to mashing together Buddhism and Christianity; Greg discovered that he’s not above bringing Islam into his church’s worship as well. In the worship insert for January 20, 2008, we find the following in place of the New Testament (in this case, 1 Corinthinians 1:1-9) reading:

The Quran Quran 13: 20-23

Reader: A reading from the Quran

In the name of God most merciful most compassionate. Is he, then, who knows that what has been revealed to those from thy Lord is the truth, like one who is blind? But only those gifted with understanding will reflect. Those who fulfill God’s pact and break not the covenant. And those who join what God has commanded to be joined, and fear their Lord, and dread the evil reckoning. And those who persevere in seeking the favor of their Lord and observe prayer and spend out of that with which We have provided them secretly and openly, and repel evil with good.  It is these who shall have the best reward of the final Abode. Amen

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Assembly: Thanks be to God.

The preacher for that Sunday was a Muslim scholar named Mohey Mowafy, and apparently Forrester wanted him to feel at home.

Of course, this isn’t all that’s being done to acquaint the folks of St. Paul’s, Marquette with other spirits. Among the announcements:

ENNEAGRAM INTERVIEWS
Kevin Thew Forrester offers Enneagram Interviews.  The interview takes approximately one hour. Please call the office at xxx-xxxx to schedule.

SUFFERING FROM GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER?
Participate in the Yoga-Stretch Research for free. It is a combination of Hatha yoga and conventional stretches that focus on natural healing methods. Explore the effects of this new mind-body healing modality. Informational Meeting: January 20, 2008 3-5:00 p.m. at the Marquette Arts and Cultural Center.

The Enneagram is an ancient symbol pf perpetual motion that has been adapted to symbolize personality types, but it also has 20th century connections to strange forms of mysticism and numerology. Hatha yoga is a system of physical practices and meditation techniques rooted in Hinduism. I begin to suspect that there is no religious tradition that Forrester is not willing to plunder or recommend to his congregants. No doubt similar spiritual and intellectual chaos could be expected if he were confirmed as a bishop of the Episcopal Church.

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