Posted on 06/05/2009 1:48:03 PM PDT by NYer
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) It was tough enough to get New Hampshire's lawmakers and governor to approve gay marriage, but Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson says there's an even tougher job ahead: getting churches to fully embrace gay marriage and gay people.
"What we have to work against is countless centuries of tradition which has judged homosexual people to be an abomination before God," said Robinson, the Episcopal church's only openly gay bishop.
Robinson sat in the front row of the gallery in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, hands clasped at times, praying for lawmakers to push a little green button that indicates a "yes" vote.
In the end, there were 198 green lights to legalize gay marriage, and 176 red ones.
The gallery erupted and Robinson was caught up in a sea of hugs, which continued as he walked through the Statehouse to a rally outside.
"There are a lot of people standing here who, when we grew up, could not have imagined this," Robinson said. "You can't imagine something that is simply impossible. It's happened, in our lifetimes."
But Robinson, who was elected bishop six years ago this month, said more must happen, in churches.
"The law says that every church gets to choose what it will do," he said, meaning they can refuse to perform gay marriages.
The law spells out that churches, their employees and religious groups cannot be forced to officiate at gay marriages or provide other services.
They were key elements pushed by Gov. John Lynch to win his approval.
But gay marriage opponents said the constitution already provides those protections to religious institutions. They argued the protections should be expanded to cover commercial vendors, such as photographers and caterers. That drew fire from gay marriage supporters who said the state's anti-discrimination laws would be unraveled by allowing people to discriminate at will.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
His Episcopal “church” is disintegrating. Does the fairy rejoice in that?
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death.”
Gay Bishop there is no such thing Here but maybe in the church of Satan there would be room for them.
Excellent point! They also enjoy twisting and distorting the word of God to suit their purposes. It's amazing how many "gay" ministers have been instrumental in this regard.
I pray that the citizens of this state will recognize the clear need for a constitutional amendment on marriage.
If California can do this, so can New Hampshire. This is not a 'civil rights' issue but that is the tactic being used to justify these bills. Here in NY, the Assembly passed a similar bill which is now before the state Senate. They won't vote on it until they are sure there is sufficient support from the senators.
All of Paul's Epistles, definitely. (Homosexuals hate Paul.)
Churches may be the last refuge against the gay agenda.
Whatever happens with marriage in our laws, I have doubts that we will see homosexual marriages in our lifetimes in Baptist churches or Catholic churches. But I bet we will see them in these liberal churches. People like this gay bishop will push for that in their churches.
“What we have to work against is countless centuries of tradition which has judged homosexual people to be an abomination before God,” said Robinson,”
What ignorance of the Bible. Homosexuality and homosexual acts are an abomination before God. Love the sinner, hate the sin.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.