Considering all the ways atheists have urged people to leave their churches, you have to appreciate how Glenn Davies, the Anglican Archbishop in Sydney, Australia, helped us out yesterday.

There’s been a battle within his institution regarding a proposed plan to ban same-sex weddings, the acknowledgment of the existence of transgender people, or even speeches in support of LGBTQ rights within the Anglican Church in any of its buildings.

Considering how marriage equality is now law in Australia, the Church’s stance looks more bigoted than ever. It’s led a number of members and leaders to urge the diocese to loosen up about an issue it obvious doesn’t even understand. Even the diocese of Wangaratta, as of last month, voted to allow priests to perform same-sex ceremonies.

But in a “presidential address” to his synod, Davies doubled down on his Christian bigotry by saying the Church would never sanction “sin” and that anyone who disagreed should just get the hell out.

“My own view is that if people wish to change the doctrine of our church, they should start a new church or join a church more aligned to their views — but do not ruin the Anglican church by abandoning the plain teaching of scripture,” Dr Davies said. “Please leave us. We have far too much work to do in evangelising Australia to be distracted by the constant pressure to change our doctrine in order to satisfy the lusts and pleasures of the world.”

“Do not ruin the Anglican church,” said the man ruining the Anglican church…

I appreciate his help, though. At a time when church leaders are desperate to keep young people within the fold, here’s a guy flat-out telling all the compassionate human beings in his church to get the hell out.

I don’t say this often, but everyone needs to listen to the Anglican archbishop.

It’s a good strategy for the critics too. If all the decent people leave, the trash will take itself out within a few years, with sinking membership numbers and an aging population. There’s no need to stick around and try to shine a shit; just leave the bigots behind and create a welcoming church that doesn’t treat ignorance and bigotry as Christian values.

It’s what Davies wants. Don’t let him down.

(Screenshot via YouTube. Thanks to Shayne for the link)

