04/29/2004: "UMs aren't talking, IRD fills in"

I was hoping to start commenting on events at the United Methodist General Conference, which began Tuesday in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, the UMC wireheads have obviously vastly unestimated the demand on their site. I've been unable since Tuesday to get past the front page, and I'm sure its because their servers are overloaded. Anyway, in the meantime there's some news at the Institute on Religion and Democracy, including a report on a weird screed by Church & Society guru Jim Winkler that sounds borderline paranoid:

Rather than responding to the substantive concerns raised by critics of the Board of Church and Society, Winkler attempted to discredit the critics themselves. He warned the audience of "lies, attacks, and hate" aimed at his agency.

"They are trying to persuade you that we are doing bad things," Winkler said. "Consider their claims with a critical eye and read between the lines."

Winkler pointed to "powerful interests that profit from human misery" around the world. He insisted that his agency opposes the "powers and principalities" that perpetuate war, debt, and other global human suffering.

If I were guessing, I'd say the "powerful interests that profit from human misery" don't include Planned Parenthood, America's biggest abortion provider, since we all knowing that ending a life in utero is all sunshine and rose petals. Anyway, check out Mark Tooley's stuff, and check back occasionally to see what else I can dig up.