Which Christian denominations support Gay Marriage?

[AJTheMan]

I’m not exactly in a Religion right now but the religion that I align most with would be Theravada Buddhism. From my research, most Theravada Buddhists in Asian countries see homosexual intercourse as an affront to the third precept of the five precepts.
*
3. I undertake the training rule to abstain from sexual misconduct.
Kāmesu micchācāra veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.*

Interestingly, I would say that most western Buddhists are actually strongly supportive of the LGBT rights movement. Western Buddhism and Eastern Buddhism usually do this – divide over conservatism versus liberalism. This just goes to show the diversity of interpretations of this specific precept. I think Shakyamuni was definitely vague for a reason. I think he felt that cultural norms dictate what “sexual misconduct” is.

So to answer the question, “Does your denomination support gay marriage?”

Resoundingly yes! And also resoundingly no! Like I said, the East-west divide is often a divide of liberalism and conservatism.

 

[Justy90]

I love the historical Anglican 39 Articles of Faith. If you understood it, you would know the historical Anglican statement of faith is quite anti-Catholic in some very significant doctrinal issues.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty-Nine_Articles

XI. Of the Justification of Man.
We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.

In the dividing line of the doctrine of justification, I believe we fall on the same side. We even see the doctrine of predestination in the same light.

1. Of Predestination and Election
   Predestinations to life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby, before the foundations of the world were laid, He hath constantly decreed by His counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom He hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation as vessels made to honour. Wherefore they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God be called according to God’s purpose by His Spirit working in due season; they through grace obey the calling; they be justified freely; they be made sons of God by adoption; they be made like the image of His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ; they walk religiously in good works; and at length by God’s mercy they attain to everlasting felicity.

As the godly consideration of Predestination and our Election in Christ is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons and such as feeling in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh and their earthly members and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: so for curious and carnal persons, lacking the Spirit of Christ, to have continually before their eyes the sentence of God’s Predestination is a most dangerous downfall, whereby the devil doth thrust them either into desperation or into wretchlessness of most unclean living no less perilous than desperation.

Furthermore, we must receive God’s promises in such wise as they be generally set forth in Holy Scripture; and in our doings that will of God is to be followed which we have expressly declared unto us in the word of God.

I do know them, although not intimately and I do understand that our faith does differ from Roman Catholics in some very critical areas. You really hit the nail on the head there as to why I converted to Anglicanism from being a cradle Catholic.

 

[James1982]

You are right! And the ELCA has not taken a pro-same gender marriage position…yet.

As I said earlier, this is the fascinating position the ELCA has taken. No statement of support for same gender marriage, just the establishment of a special exception, not found in scripture or the Confessions, or in the history of the undivided Church: if you are gay, you can be ordained if you are in a “lifelong, committed monogomous relationship”. This exception does not apply to heterosexual couples.

Truly fascinating!!

Jon

Fascinating and annoying… I’ve been told several times this week that I now support gay marriage, despite not even being in ELCA. I can only imagine what ELCA members who do not support the way their church is headed are dealing with.

The ELCA position now confuses the heck out of me. I mean, talk about threading the needle- they’re not going to marry homosexuals, or condone the marriage of homosexuals, but they will raise up pastors who are in a homosexual relationship outside of marriage. Which basically says that homosexual activity OUTSIDE marriage is okay, but not INSIDE marriage. Why construct arbitrary lines around marriage, when it’s the behavior itself that is the issue?

Honestly, it’s probably only a matter of time before the “inside marriage” stuff starts being encouraged there. Especially if more conservative voices start leaving the fold.

 

[hosemonkey]

You really hit the nail on the head there as to why I converted to Anglicanism from being a cradle Catholic.

Kinda like trading a banquet for a baloney sandwich.

 

[hosemonkey]

Fascinating and annoying… I’ve been told several times this week that I now support gay marriage, despite not even being in ELCA. I can only imagine what ELCA members who do not support the way their church is headed are dealing with.

The ELCA position now confuses the heck out of me. I mean, talk about threading the needle- they’re not going to marry homosexuals, or condone the marriage of homosexuals, but they will raise up pastors who are in a homosexual relationship outside of marriage. Which basically says that homosexual activity OUTSIDE marriage is okay, but not INSIDE marriage. Why construct arbitrary lines around marriage, when it’s the behavior itself that is the issue?

That is why you are going to see both the Episcopal “church” and ELCA implode before too long. “If you sup with the Devil, you must use a long spoon”.

 

[LutheranDK]

It is YOU who needs to read the bible more, because if you have Everyone knows that God WAS a mean God in the OT. WHY DON’T YOU READ IT!!! And those are your ridiculous words saying I think Jesus is a cool hippie or something. Stop putting words in my mouth Lutheran. It doesn’t take a theologian genius to figure it out…

I think I’ve read a lot more of the Bible than you have - and in the original languages at that!
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The God who revealed Himself to Moses is the same God that became incarnate in Jesus Christ. If you say God is mean, you say that God is imperfect, and anathematize yourself. Period.

 

[1holycatholic]

I love the historical Anglican 39 Articles of Faith. If you understood it, you would know the historical Anglican statement of faith is quite anti-Catholic in some very significant doctrinal issues.

You should read this book written by your denomination’s founder.

The Lutherans complaining that “were not that kind of Lutheran” are most amusing. Anglicans led Protestants from universally (and correctly) condemning the intrinsic evil of contraception as gravely sinful to the current state of near universal Protestant acceptance of contraception. Anglicans are again blazing the way for the acceptance of the intrinsically disordered behavior of homosexual sex. If you don’t think it can happen in your particular Protestant denomination you’re kidding yourself. It’s simply a matter of time before the pro-homosexual faction in your denomination gathers enough votes to change your doctrine as was the case for contraception.

 

[Justy90]

Kinda like trading a banquet for a baloney sandwich.

I can honestly see how a Catholic would look at it this way, but believe me, it was like going from sitting in the bleachers at a Cubs game to being behind the plate. All the fanfare and theology tells a Catholic that they are in the best seat in the house, but when you really begin to know and draw nearer to Christ you find out that you weren’t even in the arena.

 

[Justy90]

You should read this book written by your denomination’s founder.

The Lutherans complaining that “were not that kind of Lutheran” are most amusing. Anglicans led Protestants from universally (and correctly) condemning the intrinsic evil of contraception as gravely sinful to the current state of near universal Protestant acceptance of contraception. Anglicans are again blazing the way for the acceptance of the intrinsically disordered behavior of homosexual sex. If you don’t think it can happen in your particular Protestant denomination you’re kidding yourself. It’s simply a matter of time before the pro-homosexual faction in your denomination gathers enough votes to change your doctrine as was the case for contraception.

You’ve got your facts wrong here. The Anglicans of which I am a part of do not accept normalizing homosexuality in the way in which you are speaking. I think that you are wrong to speak for other Protestants in the way you do as well. Do not forget that it is your church who was involved in the largest immoral sexual scandal that the world has ever known. I’m sure that you don’t want to go down that road.

 

[1holycatholic]

You’ve got your facts wrong here. The Anglicans of which I am a part of do not accept normalizing homosexuality in the way in which you are speaking. I think that you are wrong to speak for other Protestants in the way you do as well. Do not forget that it is your church who was involved in the largest immoral sexual scandal that the world has ever known. I’m sure that you don’t want to go down that road.

The Catholic Church is Christ’s one and only Church.

I’m sure that you don’t want to go down that road.

 

[1holycatholic]

The Anglicans of which I am a part of do not accept normalizing homosexuality in the way in which you are speaking.

I missed the “ANCA” denomination in your description.

Your denomination is just over two months old - a fragment of the imploding Anglican Communion.

The ANCA holds to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, just like the Episcopalians - because consistent doctrine is important. :hypno:

 

[Justy90]

The Catholic Church is Christ’s one and only Church.

I’m sure that you don’t want to go down that road.

I have only to say prove it. Show it to me chapter and verse and I will concede that it is.

 

[Justy90]

I missed the “ANCA” denomination in your description.

Your denomination is just over two months old - a fragment of the imploding Anglican Communion.

The ANCA holds to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, just like the Episcopalians - because consistent doctrine is important. :hypno:

You are wrong. The ACNA holds to Scripture, Tradition and Reason in that order. You shouldn’t go accusing Protestants of being ignorant of your faith when you make embarrassing statements like this one which is false.

And as far as your arrogant and rude depiction of faiths outside of your own, please try to use some decency and courtesy. I have used much courtesy in not spewing the Catholic child sex scandal all over this thread.

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

You are wrong. The ACNA holds to Scripture, Tradition and Reason in that order. You shouldn’t go accusing Protestants of being ignorant of your faith when you make embarrassing statements like this one which is false.

And as far as your arrogant and rude depiction of faiths outside of your own, please try to use some decency and courtesy. I have used much courtesy in not spewing the Catholic child sex scandal all over this thread.

So the Catholic" sex child thing" is a Catholic issue? Look to your own church my friend, you will see that the Catholic church has the LOWEST molestation rate around. Not that that makes it good, but look to yourselves.
www.reformation.com and the links to others it provides will help you.

 

[1holycatholic]

I have only to say prove it. Show it to me chapter and verse and I will concede that it is.

The canon of scripture was infallibly defined by the Catholic Church. Pick any chapter and verse you like.

 

[1holycatholic]

You are wrong. The ACNA holds to Scripture, Tradition and Reason in that order. You shouldn’t go accusing Protestants of being ignorant of your faith when you make embarrassing statements like this one which is false.

And as far as your arrogant and rude depiction of faiths outside of your own, please try to use some decency and courtesy. I have used much courtesy in not spewing the Catholic child sex scandal all over this thread.

If the ANCA held to Sacred Tradition they would condemn contraception as intrinsically evil.

Where can I find that document?

 

[Justy90]

If the ANCA held to Sacred Tradition they would condemn contraception as intrinsically evil.

Where can I find that document?

Under who’s authority do you say this?

 

[Justy90]

The canon of scripture was infallibly defined by the Catholic Church. Pick any chapter and verse you like.

Try and run that statement by the Orthodox Christians and see what kind of response you get. Your statement is arrogant and and inaccurate depiction of Biblical history.

 

[Justy90]

So the Catholic" sex child thing" is a Catholic issue? Look to your own church my friend, you will see that the Catholic church has the LOWEST molestation rate around. Not that that makes it good, but look to yourselves.
www.reformation.com and the links to others it provides will help you.

What??? Where on earth do you get your information? I have yet to hear about an Anglican or a Methodist or an Orthodox sex scandal my friend. I’m pretty certain its because there hasn’t been one. You can’t even come close to bending this issue enough to white-wash yourselves here so just admit it.

 

[1holycatholic]

Try and run that statement by the Orthodox Christians and see what kind of response you get. Your statement is arrogant and and inaccurate depiction of Biblical history.

The schism that led to the “Eastern Orthodox” did not occur for more than 650 years after the Catholic Church infallibly established the Canon of Scripture.