Iconoclasm of the LGBTQ Agenda, Part II: Schism of the Churches
May 15, 2025 | By: Amy Thornton
“LGBT activists in the mid twentieth century identified three major obstacles to the legitimization of homosexuality; the law, the mental health profession, and the churches. And upon these obstacles the movement fixed its gaze.” -Fr. Josiah Trenham, Address to the World Congress of Families in Tbilisi, Georgia, 2016
(Emphasis added, full video at end of article.)
In the Post-Christian west, the enemy is waging a fierce war on the last line of defense for the nation’s moral conscience— the Church. Holy Scripture refers to the Church as the Bride of Christ in beautiful language and imagery as a model for Christ’s love for the Church and the submission of the Church to His authority. But many are abandoning Him and His commandments.
The Church has experienced factions and schisms since Christ walked this earth, however the Church was unified in belief and practice until the Great Schism of 1054 when the Roman Patriarchate broke communion with Constantinople, Jerusalem, Alexandria and Antioch. The result gave birth to the Roman Catholic Church as distinct from the Orthodox East.
Even considering the history of divisions, the Protestant Reformation, the thousands of denominations, numerous people calling themselves Christians were loyal to the Truth of the Gospel and the authority of God. Many, if not most, recognized a moral standard in marriage, family, sexuality, and identity. They recognized that these aspects of humanity could be corrupted. In the last two decades, however, those former boundaries around sacredness have been blurred if not erased altogether.
The progressing war on the churches has gone from tactics of subtlety to an open assault on the leadership of Christian churches, recognizing man’s uncontrolled passions as an open doorway. Ground conquered by the enemy has been making national news on a persistent basis over the last few decades: splits in the Episcopal Church started in 2003 when they decided to ordain an openly gay bishop, the Presbyterian Church began to crumble after affirming same-sex marriage in 2015, the United Methodist Church witnessed a loss of approximately 25% of their membership largely due to conflicts over LGBTQ issues— chiefly same-sex marriage and the ordination of gay clergy. Even the more conservative American Baptists have seen regional splits, such as when 300 churches withdrew their affiliation over liberal views of the LGBTQ agenda.
The Catholic Church has not experienced schisms in the same way, but the internal strife amongst her members reveals the enemy’s chess game. Conservative members adhere strictly to Biblical teaching on homosexuality and oppose same-sex marriage, blessings for same-sex unions and ordination of openly gay clergy. It is among these members who have been the most vocal in advocating for the victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Progressive members push for greater inclusion, arguing for blessings of same-sex unions and acceptance of LGBTQ relationships.
Although schisms in the Orthodox Church are rare and made complex by the Church hierarchy, tensions do exist among her members, highlighted when Archbishop Elpidophoros, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA), baptized twins adopted by a gay couple in Greece. For this unparalleled action, the Archbishop received significant backlash. Conservative voices condemned the act, seeing it as an approval of same-sex unions. Progressive groups within the Church and voices such as Ashley Purpura, Ph. D, (Purdue University professor) argue for gender fluidity which is a departure from the traditional teaching of the Orthodox Church. It's no surprise that she is lauded by American Academia, institutions that seek to place a progressive lens over history.
What was once very clear to a majority claiming Christ as Lord and Savior has become increasingly murky; it is the aim of the enemy to make Christians feel good while sinking in the mire.
Lessons may be gained by observing how Christian nations oppose exhibitions of the LGBTQ activists; examine the Eastern European countries such as Poland, Hungary, Romania, Serbia or Georgia. Study the nations that know what it means to survive under the evil yoke of communism and witness the destruction of Christian churches. The majority of their populations uphold deeply embedded Christian values such as marriage between one man and one woman and traditional families. In the same fashion, they oppose an agenda seeking to normalize homosexuality, exhibitions of gay pride and promoting that ideology to children.
Boundaries in these nations are more clear. Religious and political authorities proclaim Truth, pass legislation to protect children and block LGBTQ propaganda while at the same time affirming gay persons as having the freedom to live their lives as they wish. They inherently seem to understand the difference between respect for personal choices and propaganda serving to indoctrinate. Even teenagers in Poland are unafraid to stand up against immorality being paraded through the town square.
In the secular United States of America, boundaries are blurred -if present at all- when it comes to issues of morality, even among church-going citizens. The Post-Christian era has brought forth levels of human debasement heretofore unseen in the mainstream. Men parade naked in the streets of San Francisco, drag queens with high heels hold up posters colorfully decorated with the words “Sodomize Me!” And children are enticed by the colorful displays, music and “fun” activities, including Drag Queen story hours, summer camps centered around sensuality and pornographic books teaching them a corrupted understanding of sexuality when in elementary school.
There is practically no difference between a pedophile grooming a child to accept an invasion of their privacy in body, mind and soul and the brainwashing affected by the LGBTQ agenda intent on uprooting all connections to morality based in God. The promotion by gay activists, while continually wearing a cloak of victimhood, is relentless in demolishing Christian values and indoctrinating the next generation. This is not just happening in California or Oregon or New York. It’s happening right here in West Virginia within our smallest communities.
Fayetteville is home to less than three-thousand people and according to a search engine called FaithStreet, there are at least eight churches in the community and upwards of thirty within a fifteen mile radius. It’s a community formed primarily by coalminers and school teachers who helped to shape a prosperous town by weaving their values into the fabric of life, such as hard work, raising a family and honoring God.
Over the decades, as the coal mines closed and population dwindled, a new era slowly emerged which generated income and brought people back to the mountain town: tourism. The lush and wild New River Gorge, with it’s scenery, river rafting, fishing, rock climbing and hiking opportunities has always held a special place in the heart of locals. However, the area began to appear on the national map in the last three decades, bringing a steady stream of visitors to enjoy the outdoor activities. The regular flow of guests exploded with the designation of this region as the newest National Park & Preserve in 2020.
One might think that, in a community founded on Christian principles, the influx of new people with their own religious convictions, would be influenced by that bedrock of Truth--by those following the Great Commission from St. Matthew, chapter twenty-eight to share the Gospel of Christ.
In reality, it has produced an assortment of outcomes. Some are working diligently in our schools to promote Christ through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) while others are practicing witchcraft on campgrounds. Some offer Vacation Bible School for children during the summer months, others offer tarot card readings, “family friendly” drag shows and celebrations of sexual identities.
It’s an example of what happens in SmallTown, USA and beyond when the Pillar of Truth is exchanged for a Pillar of Tolerance—for the sake of tolerance alone— without any regard for what is actually being tolerated. It’s a feel-good social justice form of religion which bears no resemblance to The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected, that calls sinners to repentance, rather than affirming them in their sin. But social-justice doctrine produces an exultant, morally superior feeling and that’s the hook.
It would seem surprising if not already illuminated in 1 Timothy chapter four, the ease with which people claiming to be disciples of Christ will abandon Him when the road gets rocky, their cross becomes heavy and they are faced with standing for Truth. Some remain behind cloistered walls, assuming a pious cloak mislabeled “peace” while others give way to anger being led by passion. Like St. Peter demonstrated both before and after Christ’s arrest, neither being a slave to passion nor denying Him is the way. Human nature will abandon Absolute Truth if it means being ridiculed or becoming an outcast among peers. And being ruled by anger is the delight of demons.
Embracing diversity and inclusion and being accepted by society is the allure of the Spirit of the Age and many Christians across the globe and in WV are falling to its charms. The gaze of the enemy on our churches has been followed by unthinkable actions of lukewarm Christians with little understanding of Jesus Christ, mankind, repentance and healing. Actions that include supporting murder of the innocent in the name of abortion, public celebrations of sexuality in the name of inclusion and mutilating children in the name of “gender affirming healthcare”.
This is the secular religion seeking to replace authentic Christianity. It offers a euphoric benevolence while damning the soul because it’s founded on delusion and nurtured by vainglory. The clergy are loud on equality, inclusion and a sterile definition of love, but quiet on God’s judgment, repentance, forgiveness and holiness.
Genuine Christianity grants freedom because it offers life in Christ, the ability to become fully human. It provides an understanding of our true nature, our identity and healing through repentance and forgiveness of sin. True Christians know that God that is both a loving Father and a consuming fire in His love for mankind.
Our Christian heritage in Fayetteville, WV is a rich one and worthy of thanksgiving to God. We are called to love others by shining the Light of Christ to them in Truth. Do not fall prey to the secular religion tempting you to be your own god; it’s a devilish counterfeit.
Stand your ground West Virginia; you are a beacon of Light to the nation.
Fr. Josiah Trenham is an Orthodox priest living in the heart of the sexual revolution in California. He shares his insights about the LGBTQ agenda and encourages Christians to stand their ground in this powerful address to the World Congress of Families, from 2016.
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