Homosexual Agenda Takes over in ECLA

[mercygate]

As a pastor in the ELCA, I am disheartened by the decision of our Church-Wide Assembly to urge bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors who engage in same-sex relationships and congregations which call such persons to be pastors.

At the same time (and I pray that this will not change) the official policy of the ELCA is that the only acceptable venue for a sexual relationship is in the state of marriage between one man and one woman. Obviously, there are many people who want this to change.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Welcome to the age of dry martyrdoms, Pastor Gary. As a former Episcopalian, I can relate to your situation with compassion.

 

[mercygate]

“Homosexual agenda!”

Where can I find this “Homosexual Agenda?” Where is it published?

Oh those darn homosexuals who want civil recognition of their relationships! How dare they!

This is not about “civil recognition.” It is about the right of a religious denomination to define the conditions of its own order.

 

[mercygate]

Sure, it’s a church matter.

Certainly refusal to allow their entrance into the ranks of the clergy constitutes non-acceptance, though. It’s not cause for state intervention by any means but it is bigoted and discriminatory in its own right.

It definitely discriminatory. But it is bigoted because it is not unjustly discriminatory. It is based on a morally and philosophically consistent and coherent world view that is ordered towards the procreation and protection of children in families as the building block of society.

When did “discrimination” become a dirty word? Discrimination is a good thing. Unjust discrimination is what we should reject.

 

[qui_est_ce]

"AnubistheJackal:

Certainly refusal to allow their entrance into the ranks of the clergy constitutes non-acceptance, though. It’s not cause for state intervention by any means but it is bigoted and discriminatory in its own right.

The pastor was not lamenting inclusion of homosexuals, but persons involved in same-sex relationships.

As a pastor in the ELCA, I am disheartened by the decision of our Church-Wide Assembly to urge bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors who engage in same-sex relationships and congregations which call such persons to be pastors.
Please keep us in your prayers.

Posted by AnubistheJackal
“Homosexual agenda!”

Where can I find this “Homosexual Agenda?” Where is it published?

Oh those darn homosexuals who want civil recognition of their relationships! How dare they!

see above quote by anubisthejackal for agenda.

Posted by AnubistheJackal
It’s precisely why I don’t belong to a church.

So you would reject truth in order to continue a lifestyle contrary to the truth. Or make up your own truth to fit your lifestyle?

Welcome to Catholic Answers Forums where you will find faith, charity, and community open to discussion about the truth of the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church.

Being open to honest discussion is a basic requirement to true communication. :yup:

 

[a_cermak]

This is what happens when there is no Vicar in charge with orthodox views.

It could also be seen as what happens when the Church laity get a say in how the Church should run itself. It makes the Church able to shift with the times in which it finds itself. Today’s generation of youth sees nothing wrong with homosexuality. Religions that shun gay folk will inevitably see declines as this young generation becomes adults and decides which church they care to join, if any. And Jesus had little to say about homosexuality, instead Paul mentioned them as did the Old Testament. However, if you aren’t going to follow the other myriad laws in the OT, then singling out gay folk seems a bit much and if you aren’t going to insist that women accept their husband’s headship, then so much for Paul’s musings.

A reading of the 10 Commandments finds one reference to sexuality, the prohibition on adultery. I know the Catholic Church believes that this commandment forbids all sexual sin, but a close reading finds only adultery mentioned. There are separate words in Hebrew for adultery, fornication, and homosexuality. Only adultery is used in the text. It’s a specific act (adultery), betraying a vow that is also a consecration.