ONE DEVICE widely used by the LesBiGay lobby to make its agenda acceptable has been to use the word `faithful’ repeatedly with respect to `partnerships’ or `relationships’ between persons of the same sex. In that two persons stay with each other during one time-period, they are deemed to be faithful to each other. The emphasis is removed from the noun `partnership’ to the adjective and since the adjective is normally used in a context where there is approval (‘a faithful congregation, a faithful Christian) so the idea of a ‘faithful partnership’ is given the flavour of approval. The same applies to co-habiting by a heterosexual couple. Therefore the question as to whether the actual partnership or co-habitation is morally right or good is pushed into the background and not faced; indeed, it is quietly accepted.
One device used by modern (generally evangelical or charismatic) opponents of the LesbiGay agenda is frequently to use the word ‘orthodox’ to describe themselves specifically in their actual opposition to this agenda. In this case, the frequent use of the word of themselves as a group and as individuals has the effect of hiding from view or negating a whole series of questionable innovations in the Church since the 1960s that they heartily approve, or do not oppose. Instead of ‘orthodox’ relating primarily to a corporate confession of true dogma/doctrine and to engagement in right worship, it is effectively narrowed to mean only the holding of the belief that sexual relations should be between married persons only’.
Thus the modern ‘orthodox’ can adopt revisionist views in christology and ecclesiology, can approve the practice of ordaining and deploying in pastoral ministry divorced and remarried persons of either sex; can be divorced and remarried; can welcome the ordained ministry of women and the use of inclusive language to make them feel happy; can be a woman priest; and so on. In all this, there will be no sense whatever of being a part of the problem, that the innovations which were embraced and encouraged are the background to the arrival of the LesBiGay agenda, and that anyone holding them is part of the sickness, not of the cure.