Some theological systems teach a weighing or amalgamation of Scripture, Tradition, Experience, and Reason.
In the ELCA it is clear that Experience and Reason trump Scripture and Tradition. The weight and authority accorded to each is probably—greatest to least—in the order listed in this paragraph.
I understand that people are of many minds when it comes to religious belief. That's why there are denominations. You can go anywhere you want, believe whatever you want.
Listening to this prattle the only words that jump to my mind are, "Get thee behind me!"
Nobody's stopping them from starting the GCLA. In the bigger picture, no one is stopping them from starting the Gay Scouts, either.
I mind the disengenuousness. I mind that he has so little regard for his flock that he does not feel the need to tell a better quality lie.
A lie, by definition, is not just the intentional telling of a falsehood. It is also offering facts that, while technically true, leave a false of misleading impression.
He's lying. I know that God is truth, and I know who the King of Lies is.
I understand why they want to chain themselves to believers. Theres' no good reason, however, for believers to be chained to the spiritual corpse the ECLA has become.