Churches debate whether to marry gays

AP via SFGate ^ | 7/16/11 | RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer

[SmithL]

After same-sex marriage becomes legal here on July 24, gay priests with partners in the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island will head to the altar. They have to. Their bishop set a nine-month deadline for them to marry or stop living together.

Next door, meanwhile, the Episcopal bishop of New York says he also expects gay clergy in committed relationships to wed "in due course." Still, this longtime supporter of gay rights says churches in his diocese are off limits for gay weddings until he receives clearer liturgical guidance from the national denomination.

As more states legalize same-sex marriage, religious groups with ambiguous policies on homosexuality are divided over whether they should allow the ceremonies in local congregations. The decision is especially complex in the mainline Protestant denominations that have yet to fully resolve their disagreements over the Bible and homosexuality. Many have taken steps toward acceptance of gay ordination and same-gender couples without changing the official definition of marriage in church constitutions and canons. With the exception of the United Church of Christ, which approved gay marriage six years ago, none of the larger mainline churches has a national liturgy for same-sex weddings or even blessing ceremonies.

[SmithL]

The New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which includes four of the five states with gay marriage, issued a document stating that pastors can choose to solemnize same-sex marriages in individual churches that give their approval.

Solemnize the sin and mock the scriptures, it's the ELCA way.

[Marathoner]

If GOD doesn’t judge this nation severely, He will have to apoligize to Sodom and Gomorrah.

[johniegrad]

Not much discussion about Catholics in there.

[RichInOC]

Next door, meanwhile, the Episcopal bishop of New York says he also expects gay clergy in committed relationships to wed “in due course.” Still, this longtime supporter of gay rights says churches in his diocese are off limits for gay weddings until he receives clearer liturgical guidance from the national denomination.

Wait, what? How hard is it to refer to the couple as “he” and “he” or “she” and “she” instead of “he” and “she”? Of course, the scripture readings could be problematic, especially the Old Testament ones. Brothers and sisters, this is going to be pure comedy.

[pallis]

No matter that the whole moral system is screwed up by acquiescence of the clergy to the radical, homosexual agenda, there are still priorities to observe.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Given the sickness of many churches if homosexuals waive enough money there will be millions of Sodomite church weddings. I have come to the conclusion that so called straights are sicker than the Sodomites. It is now becoming clearer why God destroyed Sodom, it was not only the homosexuals, it was also the “Tolerant” straights.

[MarkBsnr]

Solemnize the sin and mock the scriptures, it's the ELCA way.

But you must be happy and gay while you're doing it.

[jacknhoo]

Thank God for the Roman Catholic Church.

[Kakaze]

Gone are the days when a man of Faith would stand up to the government and call a spade a spade!

Tell the gov't, "marry" them at city hall but I will not allow my congregations Holy ground to be defiled.

I pray some do this, I wish they all would.

[EGPWS]

The decision is especially complex in the mainline Protestant denominations that have yet to fully resolve their disagreements over the Bible and homosexuality.

Why follow the Bible if one questions it?

THAT'S what the Bible is for all!

[EGPWS]

...after all...

[WorldviewDad]

Advice to all...

If the church you are in has to “debate” this issue...get out now.

[Venturer]

You hit that nail on the head.

Many of those tolerant straights have homo’s in the family and allow that to cloud their reason.

A homo in the familty is still a sick puppy, no matter how much you love them.

But they allow themselves to look at the outings of others and let their reason look for a pass for their relative.

The unintended consequences of Church’s accepting these marriages and the fact that they are accepting a sick practice in the name of equality is going to drive a lot of them out of business. Some fruit married to the Pastor meeting with the ladies of the Parish is not going to go over so big./

[cableguymn]

There is live churches and dead churches. Live ones follow the word of god and the spirit visits these churches. Dead churches follow the word of man with a hit tip to the word of god. The spirit keeps an eye on these “churches” but rarely visits.

[353FMG]

“A standing-room-only crowd, larger than Easter Sunday’s, packed the pews....”

.
http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-11/news/29761860_1_lesbian-gay-pride-month-gay-rights-movement

[Ransomed]

If they believe that “gay marriage” is possible, why didn’t they require their clergy in “relationships” to marry before the state recognized “gay marriage”? Suddenly the state says it’s OK so know they require/allow it?! Man, I don’t know about anyone else, but I wouldn’t belong to a faith that takes its moral direction only when the state says it’s OK to do so...

Freegards

[aimhigh]

The benefit to all this is that it’s now easier to distinguish between the light and the darkness. Persecution of true Christians always follows when this happens.

[Rashputin]

"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America formally abolished a celibacy requirement for gay and lesbian clergy more than a year ago, but still defines marriage as between one man and one woman."

How cute, they still say marriage is between a man and a woman but they'll marry whoever shows up anyway. They must think that joke will please enough of the membership to keep the bills paid.

[ken21]

many believers do not belong to churches anymore

for this reason.