Posted on 01/27/2007 7:29:03 PM PST by 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."
Another house of true conviction there.
When they raced to the forefront to get their share of societal benefits.
victim appology scam
The appology promotes the homosexual agenda by portraying the recreational sex fetishists as "victims."
There aren't any Methodist, Baptist ot Presbyterian churches in poorer areas of towns?
When they raced to the forefront to get their share of societal benefits.
Oh, definitely ... aligning your personal predilection with "race" gets you government favors.
However, I think homosexualism is actually a religion, although I'm not sure who its god is.
The God of the Bible asks His worshippers for self-sacrificing, life-affirming love. The god of homosexualists is worshipped by acts of self-seeking, death-dealing sex. Maybe it's Allah.
Sorry but I don't find that particularly funny. I'm sure my ancestors, especially the one beheaded by Cromwell in defense of the Church, are spinning in their graves.
The last 50 years, you have a point.
when someone realized the government sends checks to a class of voters complaining of mistreatment
awesome comment
Its god is Man, just like that of the Liberals.
I'm inclined to a certain secularity, especially in government, to a lesser extent in matters of science, and even less in matters of morality.
But that is a long way from the confusion of thinking that man is worthy of worship. Admiration in some regards, perhaps, but not the consideration of deification.
Not yet, and not for a long time.
ROTFLMAO!
And so much editing has been done to the rest of it that there are more margin notes than original text.
Excellent points. For some reason, the title "To Serve Man" just came to mind :-).
And a good pun there on "raced to the forefront"! I missed it the first several times.
All part of my nefarious technique. I correct spelling errors and grammatical confusions, and then often stand hoist on my own petard by those seeking retribution.
But I get people to scrutinize my words more carefully. Little by little, I infect them with my way of thinking.
Thank you for that. It was helpful. You know one thing I am glad about is not having to be on any committee that studies the Bible and make important decisions that effect people's lives. I am Catholic and a follower...
The modern day Episcopal Church should apologize to those with this condition for affirming them in sinful behavior rather than calling them to chastity and holiness.
The late Jack Williamson had a phrase also, "To serve and obey, and guard men from harm." As a motto, it sounded flawless, but the humanoid robots chose to implement it with particular emphasis on the last part, "... to guard men from harm."
Accordingly, they prevented people from doing anything that might be potentially harmful. No smoking or drinking, no exciting sports activities, no dangerous work environments ... It has a familiar ring, doesn't it?
It culminated in his story, "With Folded Hands", an evocative title if ever there was one.
Your friend K can explain better than I, but there are many groups and subgroups who believe that man's course, his destiny, is to follow in the footsteps of God, to gradually become more godlike. This is more a spiritual growth than a physical, evolutionary one.
Michael Shaara's description of Man as "Killer Angels" aptly captures the dilemma. We are of two natures; one bestial, and one angelic. These two attributes are constantly at war within us.
Joel Osteen's lecture today mentioned an (American) Indian legend, of an old Chief telling his son that his nature was a battle between two wolves, one of treachery and menace, and the other of nobility and trustworthiness.
"Which wolf will win the battle, Father?" he was asked.
"The one you feed." was his answer.
It'a joke on the elitism of Episcopalia.
I was just a kid reading Mark when even I noticed a transition at the point where the oldest Mark ends. It planted the seed in my mind to look a little closer at what was being added and why. Thus doth cynicism begin...
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