Church supports apology to gays

news-record. ^ | 1/27/07 | Nancy H. McLaughlin

[Rb ver. 2.0]

GREENSBORO — Episcopalians meeting in Greensboro this week gave strong preliminary support for a resolution apologizing to gays and lesbians for how they’ve been treated by Christians.

The resolution, which is expected to go before the full Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina this morning, would also affirm homosexuals as "children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance and pastoral concern and care of the Church."

A similar resolution was passed this past summer by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, which has been racked with division since the affirmation of its first openly gay bishop.

The North Carolina resolution comes after the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, the state’s largest religious group, approved a resolution this summer that would remove member churches that endorse or affirm the homosexual lifestyle.

"I would wish it were as simple as saying 'My congregation is open to anybody who wants to come,’" Chaplain Kevin Matthews of St. Mary’s House in Greensboro, who submitted the resolution, said during Friday’s hearing.

"The reality is that sometimes we have to say and do things for people who won’t get to your door for you to be welcoming and friendly because they might already believe you are going to be hostile. … This is an evangelism and mission-minded resolution."

While the discussion never grew heated, some delegates made it clear they wanted the church to stop talking about sex.

Most of those who stood up to be heard spoke in favor of the resolution.

"Yes, it will hurt people," said Steve Gee of All Saints Episcopal Church in Greensboro. "Being a gay man, myself, I see this as part of the ongoing civil rights struggle that started in the ’40s when the churches had to make statements for racial equality. There were people who left churches because they would not drink from the common cup with people of color.

"There are people who will not drink from the common cup if they know they are drinking next to a gay person."

Earlier on the first day of the convention, Bishop Michael Curry emphasized to the gathering of about 600 people the need for ministry and outreach in the community despite distractions.

The sea — beautiful and blue one moment, troubled and tempestuous the next — is a metaphor for life, he said.

"We know that 'sea,’ even now," said Curry, who is the spiritual leader of 48,000 Episcopalians in North Carolina. "We know the winds and the waves — sometimes it’s called 9/11, terrorism, global warming, Darfur, schism, Anglical Communion, Iraq, Afghanistan, genetic engineering, HIV/AIDS.

"I know we can’t do everything, but for God’s sake, we can do something, and that something can make a difference."

[PackerBronco]

... and in a related story, Episcopaleans petition God to apologize to Soddom and Gommorah.

[gidget7]

"This is an evangelism and mission-minded resolution."


Hellooooooo?? Look up the word evangelism, because it sure doesn't mean what you think it does. As far as our resolution, it's a mission alright! A mission to bring down the very church you are supposedly a part of.

[gidget7]

"I wish more people paid attention to all of the prohibitions on sex - pre-marital, philandering, etc. Not just the homos."


Ok, ONE MORE TIME. We do! but......No one is out there, or at least not in church, demanding the right to be a philanderer, an adulterer, a prostitute, practice premarital sex, divorce, or even sodomy for that matter. (sodomy goes for heterosexuals, we all know the gays want the right to do it) The point is none of the afore mentioned sins, have people demanding the churches stop calling it sin, accept them as behaving in a healthy normal lifestyle, on and on and on.

The culture sure tries it's darndest to, but the people doing any of the above, DO NOT demand that churches do, nor do they demand laws be passed to give them that right, nor do they demand any of their sins be given status as a race, or a civil right, nor do they demand that these things be taught in schools, sensitivity/tolerance training classes, and numerous other medians, as normal and healthy.

Most especially they don't demand that Christians or their Churches believe such, and that they not preach of the ills of such behaviors.

[La Enchiladita]

That is not enough. They need to add, "We're sorry we're straight. PLEASE forgive those of us who are straight and let us stay in this completely-around-the-bend nutcase excuse for a church. Please?"

[melsec]

You may not be 'churched' but you really have a grasp on what is already happening. I have been to theological college and heard people bad mouthing Paul calling him anti-semetic and homophobic. I have heard express that he is condsidered a a poor theologin etc etc.

By attacking Paul they undermine most of the New Testament and therfore make themselves the only 'real' interpreters of scipture.

Mel

[melsec]

BTW I am considered to be a poor speller

[napscoordinator]

You make some interesting points. I hear the homosexuals on talk shows bring up that the bible says that you can drink poison and not die or get sick. I don't know where that is said, but it is brought up to say that not everything is correct in the Bible. The problem I have with this tactic is that the conservatives on the show looks like a deer in headlights and is not able to say anything and in fact says you are right. I think that conservatives need to have a better rebuttal on that soon or we will not win this "war".

[Waco]

Hey, hit em up for $$$$ to help the Catholic Church pay up on lawsuits they lost cause queer priests ATTACKED children. It's only money ya know. Shell out!!

[Huber]

You still have a fairly orthodox diocese in SC and much of the former national Episcopal Church is realigning away from these nuts and towards traditional Anglican Christianity.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

So who will cast out Paul, and say he's no longer a Saint? Is the Episcopal Church going to renounce Paul? Or is the Episcopal Church just going to renounce selected teachings of "Saint" Paul, so that they can continue to read 1 Corinthians at weddings gay and straight?

No, renouncing Genesis pretty much takes care of everything else afterward.

[Alia]

NC *Ping*

Please FRmail Constitution Day OR TaxRelief OR Alia if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

These Episcopalians have wandered so far away from Biblical scripture that they can't tell the difference between the Word of God and new age liberal propaganda.

Genesis has been torn out of their Bibles.

[Alia]

I'm sorry, so sorry
That I was such a fool
I didn't know
Love could be so cruel
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes

You tell me mistakes
Are part of being young
But that don't right
The wrong that's been done

[Spoken:]
(I'm sorry) I'm sorry
(So sorry) So sorry
Please accept my apology
But love is blind
And I was to blind to see
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes

You tell me mistakes
Are part of being young
But that don't right
The wrong that's been done
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Uh-oh
Oh, yes

I'm sorry, so sorry
Please accept my apology
But love was blind
And I was too blind to see
(Sorry)

[Gone_Postal]

I don't know being Christian means following the bible and listening to God
The bible say adultery is wrong but to be gay means to be an adulterer as per the lifestyle. Even if you remain fateful to one they can't be married therefore living in sin. Just one example.

I'm not judging just relating fact

[Rb ver. 2.0]

It's not adultery, it's fornicating.

[Gone_Postal]

it's both if they have more than one parter

[Gone_Postal]

well on second thought your write they are not married so therefore no adultery

[upchuck]

Thanks. That is good to know.

Now if we could just get the Presbyterians back on track :)

[STONEWALLS]

"We know the winds and the waves — sometimes it’s called 9/11, terrorism, global warming, Darfur, schism, Anglical Communion, Iraq, Afghanistan, genetic engineering, HIV/AIDS."
this is the same liberal tilting at windmills that's destroyed the Presbyterian Church....the moral exhibitionism, the angry piety, the moral vanity; it's all there....the last Presbytery Assembly I went to they spent the whole time arguing over abortion...their best thinking has emptied out the church....Episcopalians are apparently bent on doing the same thing.

[EGPWS]

The resolution, which is expected to go before the full Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina this morning, would also affirm homosexuals as "children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance and pastoral concern and care of the Church."

The Episcopal church going to those in need for guidance instead of the Bible.

What a concept...