Main Protestants: What gives? According to an article, mainstream Protestants now affirm being homosexual is ok.

[Mannyfit75]

To my Protestant Brothers and sisters,

What gives? I read this article and it hows that mainline Protestant groups now favor homosexual behavior.

*Mainline Protestants Affirm Homosexuality as a Lifestyle

By Randy Sly
3/20/2009
Catholic Online

While denominations like The Episcopal Church have long-affirmed ‘gay’ rights, the Pew Forum has found that a most mainline Protestants are also declaring that homosexuality should be accepted as a valid lifestyle.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) – There was a time when Protestant and Catholic Churches spokes as one when it came to moral issues, such as homosexuality. That time is no more.

The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, in their recent “U.S. Landscape Survey,” concluded that 56 percent of all mainline Protestants now say that homosexuality is a way of life that should be accepted.

The survey also found that 40 percent of historically black churches and more than one-fourth of all Protestants who describe themselves as Evangelicals also hold the same opinion.

The Episcopal Church (TEC) had the largest representation of those who affirm this position, with 70 percent, followed closely by the United Church of Christ at 69 percent and the Evangelical Lutheran Church at 56 percent. The Presbyterian Church USA and the United Methodist Church were split decisions, with 52 and 51 percent respectively.

Findings:

The Episcopal Church – 70%
United Church of Christ – 69%
Anglican Church – 63%
Evangelical Lutheran Church – 56%
Presbyterian Church USA – 52%
Methodist Church – 51%
Disciples of Christ – 43%
American Baptist Church – 40%

---

A former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, Randy Sly entered the full communion of the Catholic Church three years ago. he is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online. *

 

[RedGecko]

I read this article and it hows that mainline Protestant groups now favor homosexual behavior.

I think the phrase “favor homosexual behavior” is an overstatement, but I agree that homosexual behavior is losing its previous forbidden status. People are re-evaluating their interpretation of Scripture. There is much in the Bible which is not taken literally, or is downplayed (if not outright ignored). Perhaps the verses which have traditionally been used against homosexuals should be understood with more nuance.

 

[Iwesshome]

Maybe people are tired of treating homosexuals as a second class citizen. If you believe God is love than people who are gay deserve the same love from God no matter what. Let God be the judge of his believers not man.

 

[Mannyfit75]

I think the phrase “favor homosexual behavior” is an overstatement, but I agree that homosexual behavior is losing its previous forbidden status. People are re-evaluating their interpretation of Scripture. There is much in the Bible which is not taken literally, or is downplayed (if not outright ignored). Perhaps the verses which have traditionally been used against homosexuals should be understood with more nuance.

Homosexual behavior is never correct in God’s eyes. His prophets forbid it and so did the Apostles especially in St. Paul’s writing. We, humans, need to remember, that God’s ways is not our ways, and our ways, are not God’s ways.

 

[SyCarl]

I would note that the same site (Pew Research Center) also lists only 30% of Catholics as saying that homosexuality as a way of life should be discouraged while 58% say that it should be accepted.
religions.pewforum.org/pdf/report2-religious-landscape-study-full.pdf#page=151

 

[Mannyfit75]

Maybe people are tired of treating homosexuals as a second class citizen. If you believe God is love than people who are gay deserve the same love from God no matter what. Let God be the judge of his believers not man.

Second class? I hardly think they have. Most are well off financially. Many are doctors, lawyers, etc, and attain job position that are around middle class to upper middle class. The homosexual call for equality cannot be compared with the civil right struggle with African-Americans, who were denied the right to vote, and were segregated.

Do you recall those documentary with the sign, “White Only” in front of restaurants? People don’t usually know people when they are homosexual unless they individually told them, or by their own deeds.

I do believe that God loves us all. He loves us so much that he hopes that we do not die in our sins. To die in our sins, is to condemn ourselves to eternal death in the depths of hell.

 

[Mannyfit75]

I would note that the same site (Pew Research Center) also lists only 30% of Catholics as saying that homosexuality as a way of life should be discouraged while 58% say that it should be accepted.
religions.pewforum.org/pdf/report2-religious-landscape-study-full.pdf#page=151

I’m not surprise though, since Catholics in most parts of the world are “Caferia Catholics” who throw away Church teachings and affirm that their own personal beliefs are the correct one and the Catholic Church teaching on homosexual behavior is erronous.

I think the words of Fr. Corapi comes to light. “They exchange the truth for a lie.”

 

[piperspop]

Manny, you haven’t given us the whole truth now, have you???

The article clearly states:

Mainline Protestants accept homosexuality 56% discourage it 34%
Catholics accept homosexuality 58% discourage it 30%
Total Protestant accept homosexuality 31% discourage it 58%

So the real problem here is with the Catholics, nes pas?

 

[Mannyfit75]

Manny, you haven’t given us the whole truth now, have you???

The article clearly states:

Mainline Protestants accept homosexuality 56% discourage it 34%
Catholics accept homosexuality 58% discourage it 30%
Total Protestant accept homosexuality 31% discourage it 58%

So the real problem here is with the Catholics, nes pas?

Like I said, Catholics in America are more liberal than their Protestant counterpart, and I am not a bit surprise if the majority of Catholics favor homosexual behavior. It still does not make it right that homosexual behavior should be acceptible for society. Neither Protestant or Catholic should consider it as acceptible behavior. It is a sin before God’s eye.

As the Scripture says, “Male and Female he created them.” It did not say, “Male and Male.” If it were any different at all, why did God created Eve in the first place? We know why. Adam could not find any creature that suits him and he was lonely. So God put him into a deep sleep, and use Adam’s rib to form a woman.

 

[RedGecko]

Second class? I hardly think they have. Most are well off financially.

Manny, you should know better than to repeat that well-worn myth. Sorry, but it simply isn’t true.

Poverty rates for LGB (Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual) adults are as high or higher than rates for heterosexual adults.

Two datasets allow for overall comparisons of poverty among LGB adults and heterosexual men and women. Using national data from the NSFG (National Survey of Family Growth) for people ages 18-44, we find that 24% of lesbians and bisexual women are poor, compared with only 19% of heterosexual women. At 15%, gay men and bisexual men have poverty rates equal to those of heterosexual men (13%) in the NSFG.

For people living in California, the CHIS (California Health Interview Surveys) shows roughly equal poverty rates for lesbian and bisexual women (13.4%) and heterosexual women (15.9%), but gay/bisexual men’s poverty rate is lower than that of heterosexual men – 7.2% versus 12.3%. In both surveys, women’s poverty rates are higher than men’s.

law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute/pdf/LGBPovertyReport.pdf

I’m not sure where the myth of gay affluence came from, but I would guess its origins are rooted in class behavior. High education/high income persons are less likely to be violent and more likely to be tolerant, therefore gays and lesbians feel safer in being known as gay or lesbian. In contrast, blue collar gays and lesbians are much more likely to be secretive because they face a much higher risk of harassment or physical attack.

Most gays and lesbians are not well off financially, at least not any more than the general population.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Manny, you should know better than to repeat that well-worn myth. Sorry, but it simply isn’t true.

law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute/pdf/LGBPovertyReport.pdf

I’m not sure where the myth of gay affluence came from, but I would guess its origins are rooted in class behavior. High education/high income persons are less likely to be violent and more likely to be tolerant, therefore gays and lesbians feel safer in being known as gay or lesbian. In contrast, blue collar gays and lesbians are much more likely to be secretive because they face a much higher risk of harassment or physical attack.

Most gays and lesbians are not well off financially, at least not any more than the general population.

Compared to the struggle of African-American, their struggle cannot be compared.

 

[Contarini]

To my Protestant Brothers and sisters,

What gives? I read this article and it hows that mainline Protestant groups now favor homosexual behavior.

First of all, I have no idea what they mean by “Anglican Church.” I’m sure they are not referring to American non-Episcopalian Anglican groups, because such groups are adamantly opposed to homosexuality. The fact that they are so muddled in their terminology casts doubt on the entire study.

And in the second place, some of the groups polled (such as the UMC) are pretty closely divided (51% hardly warrants the statement “United Methodists approve of homosexual behavior”).

But it’s certainly true that many mainline Protestants think homosexual behavior is just as morally legitimate as heterosexual behavior. What did you mean by saying “what gives”? Was this really news to you?

Didn’t you know we were all heretics?

Edwin

Edwin

 

[Publisher]

I think the phrase “favor homosexual behavior” is an overstatement, but I agree that homosexual behavior is losing its previous forbidden status. People are re-evaluating their interpretation of Scripture. There is much in the Bible which is not taken literally, or is downplayed (if not outright ignored). Perhaps the verses which have traditionally been used against homosexuals should be understood with more nuance.

I think this post indicates something much deeper than many realize. Understanding scripture in it’s historical context as well as it’s societal context when it was written is one of the issues.

The passage in Leviticus used most often was a prohibition against the Israelites emulating their pagan neighbors. The verses before the infamous passage speak to the Israelites not sacrificing their children to Molech…a religious practice…seing the prohibition against men with men in a religious context as relating to temple prostitution…which Israel dealt with in later passages…both male and female prostitutes bears some merit…as do the passage in Romans where Paul writes about “worshiping the creation instead of the creator” makes another argument.

IF there is a possibility that these passages could be understood in different ways in the light of historical and cultural bias and beliefs, perhaps they should be.

Friends were among some of the first groups to consider how to treat gay people in our midst. Did we accept them as “full members” in our Meetings when our beliefs state that we believe the worth of persons…those gay men and women who lived lives before us with distinction and honor and served our Meetings in ministry…should they be refused ministry? Wheree in the life of the Meeting do they fit…if the scriptures can be used to condemn these people…why not allow these same scriptures to redeem these people if a different understanding is available?

Each Meeting has struggled in deciding what to do with these Friends who through no fault of their own are of homosexual orientation. An orientation that cannot be reversed or changed. In light of modern biblical understanding and historical criticism of the “clobber verses” in scripture, decisions were made over the course of years of discussion and prayer to allow these Friends to share in the complete life of the Meeting…even so far as recongnizing their partnerships in a Meeting for Worship for Marriage among Friends.

The men and women I have known have very few “different” characteristics than the 'straight" members…except for their sexual orientation.

If the scriptures for so long were used to condemn them…why not allow these same scriptures to redeem them now that better understanding of historical and cultural of ancient cultures?

 

[orange_man]

To my Protestant Brothers and sisters,

What gives? I read this article and it hows that mainline Protestant groups now favor homosexual behavior.

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts … I would like to offer some further clarification. All of the protestant denominations listed have always been liberal. For instance, they all ordain female pastors, many of them (if not all) affirm and support a woman’s right to choose (abortion), and so on. It wasn’t a far leap for these so called churches to now validate homosexuality. However, these people DO NOT represent the majority of practicing protestants.

These are people who IMHO falsely profess the Christian faith. They trade the word of God for what conforms to their view of justice. In other words they are telling God their notions of fair play, equality, and justice are superior to His.

The CC to its credit would never (at least I don’t think) officially endorse such behavior (such as the homosexual lifestyle). However, Catholics (on a quasi-official basis) have been involved with some pretty shady groups (such as ACORN), who support the homosexual agenda.

Conservative protestants (who make up perhaps the largest group of practicing Christians in this country) would never endorse the homosexual lifestyle, would never call it anything but what it is (sinful behavior), would never ordain a homosexual (or even female pastors for that matter), and would never lend support to groups like ACORN who stand against everything good and conservative in this country.

 

[Contarini]

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts … I would like to offer some further clarification. All of the protestant denominations listed have always been liberal. For instance, they all ordain female pastors, many of them (if not all) affirm and support a woman’s right to choose (abortion), and so on. It wasn’t a far leap for these so called churches to now validate homosexuality. However, these people DO NOT represent the majority of practicing protestants.

These are people who IMHO falsely profess the Christian faith. They trade the word of God for what conforms to their view of justice. In other words they are telling God their notions of fair play, equality, and justice are superior to His. .

So of course your kind of Protestants constitute the majority, since you don’t count the rest of us as real Christians at all!

A liberal could retort that conservatives project their own anger and fear and hatred onto the Biblical text and use it as a means of enforcing cultural norms that have nothing to do with the Gospel. But caricatures of this sort get us nowhere.

Mannyfit does seem to be confusing the technical term “mainline” with “mainstream,” and I agree that this is not the same at all these days. Evangelicalism of a theologically loose, generic sort is probably the mainstream of American Protestantism nowadays, and many people even in “mainline” denominations conform to it.

Edwin

 

[orange_man]

So of course your kind of Protestants constitute the majority, since you don’t count the rest of us as real Christians at all!

A liberal could retort that conservatives project their own anger and fear and hatred onto the Biblical text and use it as a means of enforcing cultural norms that have nothing to do with the Gospel. But caricatures of this sort get us nowhere.

a liberal could retort pink elephants can fly & we wouldn’t care less. The word of God means what is says and says what it means. The people of the flesh always oppose people of the spirit & the devil rarely dresses up in a cape with little horns on his head. He frequently appears as an angel of light … leading the blind into the darkness.

So liberals can try and call me a hater or whatever worldly term they (and you if you’re one of them) like. Just know that those who twist the word of God only do so to their own destruction.

 

[cthulhubryan]

To my Protestant Brothers and sisters,

What gives? I read this article and it hows that mainline Protestant groups now favor homosexual behavior.

I don’t know about favoring. While the Episcopals are getting weirder every year, most protestant churches take the stand that one should love the sinner but hate the sin.

The United Methodist church makes no bones about the fact that homosexuals are welcome in the church, but that they must refrain from homosexual activities.

 

[tomarin]

The United Methodist church makes no bones about the fact that homosexuals are welcome in the church, but that they must refrain from homosexual activities.

That’s exactly identical to the Catholic position, isn’t it?