Church of England should 'rejoice' over gay marriage, Bishops say (Anglican bishops)

The Telegraph ^ | 21 Apr 2012 | Andrew Hough

[markomalley]

In a public letter, the influential members of the Anglican Church claimed that “God’s grace” was at work in allowing same – sex couples to marry.

The group, including members of the General Synod, the CoE’s governing body, dismissed “mistaken” impressions that church leaders were “universally opposed to an extension of civil marriage”.

Instead, they argued that same-sex couples who wanted to “embrace marriage should be a cause for rejoicing in the Christian Church”.

They wrote: "Recent statements by church leaders past and present may have given the mistaken impression that the Church is universally opposed to the extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples. We believe that does not adequately reflect the range of opinion which exists within the Church of England.

“The Church calls marriage holy or sacramental because the covenant relationship of committed, faithful love between the couple reflects the covenanted love and commitment between God and his Church.

“Growing in this kind of love means we are growing in the image of God."

They added: “That there are same-sex couples who want to embrace marriage should be a cause for rejoicing in the Christian Church.”

"We believe that the Church of England has nothing to fear from the introduction of civil marriage for same-sex couples.

[onedoug]

I wonder about the educational standards for Anglican clergy here in America as well.

I struck up a conversation with a priest of a church near me who’s Anglicanism resulted from a break some 30 years ago with Episcopalianism over this very issue. When I mentioned the Seven Laws of Noah he gave a blank stare, and I actually had to explain it to him. I was too dumbfounded to ask him at the time whether he’d ever actually studied the Old Testament in seminary. Though I do see him around occasionally and would certainly like to revisit this issue.

[onedoug]

Essentially yes, when one thinks about it. Just transfer the genders.

[BarbM]

While these passages are frequently cited in response to horribly wrongheaded claims about homosexuality, they also apply to people.... who may consider themselves to be “Christian”, but who are living with their girl friends without being married.

I agree. Many of my “Christain” friends are shacking up, and getting tattoos and wearing their “faith” on their sleeve's. I believe Evangelical means “being Christain when it's convenient to be”.

[HangnJudge]

Excellent discussion on Seven Laws, from Jewish standpoint

http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/seven-laws-of-noah/

[Vanders9]

Amen! Well said.