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Solution elusive as churches weary of gay clergy debate
Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | February 5, 2007 | John Blake

Posted on 02/05/2007 1:27:10 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife

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1 posted on 02/05/2007 1:27:13 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Yet church members slog on through the gay clergy debate because leaders can't seem to devise a solution that satisfies both sides.

How about just stickin' with the Bible? That sounds like a plan.

2 posted on 02/05/2007 1:29:57 AM PST by Recovering_Democrat (I am SO glad to no longer be associated with the party of Dependence on Government!)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Well if they actually read the Bible, there is no debate.


3 posted on 02/05/2007 1:33:01 AM PST by kb2614 (Hell hath no fury than a bureaucrat scorned)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
"Druid Hills Presbyterian Church in Atlanta who says he would have "no problem at all" accepting a gay pastor."

Well I see part of their problem right there - 'ya see it's that Druid thing that's confusin' 'em - they're so busy tryin' to find the right solstice angles and moon phases that homosexual is like the least of their concerns.............

4 posted on 02/05/2007 1:47:51 AM PST by Psalm 73 ("Gentlemen, you can't fight in here - this is the War Room".)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Erdahl says any minister — gay or straight — should be ordained if they're in a committed relationship.

No. No! NO. NO! Either marriage between one male and one female, where sexual activity is permitted, or total celibacy. That is biblical. Anything else is against God's law.

I do not say it is easy. It's not, I should know -- I'm in my 40s and a virgin. However, God gives grace to people who try to follow His directives, weather said people are attracted to their own sex or to the opposite sex.
5 posted on 02/05/2007 1:49:50 AM PST by Talking_Mouse (wahhabi delenda est)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

"the real mission of the church: helping the poor, the homeless, the community at large."


What a poor fool. He doesn't even know the Church's real mission.


6 posted on 02/05/2007 1:56:48 AM PST by PetroniusMaximus
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
The debate over gay clergy seems different, at least for now. Both sides cite the Bible but they read the Bible in very different ways.

Somebody tore Genesis out of their Bible.

7 posted on 02/05/2007 2:07:20 AM PST by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: All

.....What of breakaway churches?

She's sad to see them go, but not so sad that she won't fight for their properties. "The institution cannot give away its birthright and the gifts that belong to future generations. Our desire to reconcile continues, but if (the seceding churches) would prefer to be part of another tradition, then they are welcome to go. They just can't take what doesn't belong to them," she says, leaning forward.

"The church's laws are broad but they are there, and beyond these lines you cannot go. Crossing boundaries has consequences."

Condemnations from Global South primates?

Jefferts Schori steers the discussion to the positive, focusing on the mission she shares with many of the African primates to address the terrible plagues of war, poverty, disease and hunger.

"We can work on these together. Human need is so overwhelming that it seems incredibly sinful to spend time" on church politics.

What she omits: The Anglican Church in Tanzania recently declared itself in "severely impaired communion" with the Episcopal Church. The Archbishop of Uganda said he wouldn't meet with her because of her stance on biblical faith and morality. ....

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-02-04-jefferts-schori-cover_x.htm


8 posted on 02/05/2007 2:36:54 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Some gay ELCA pastors defy the policy by being sexually active but don't tell church authorities.

So basically they're lying. Well that's mighty Christian of 'em.

L

9 posted on 02/05/2007 2:39:30 AM PST by Lurker (Europeans killed 6 million Jews. As a reward they got 40 million Moslems. Karma's a bitch.)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Their troubles are all self-inflicted. Serves them right for straying from the clear teachings of scripture on the subject of homosexuality and every other "-ality" out there.


10 posted on 02/05/2007 3:55:29 AM PST by Virginia Ridgerunner ("Si vis pacem para bellum")
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
"I don't find anywhere in Scripture where Jesus is talking about homosexuality as a sin," says the Rev. Kim Smith King, senior pastor of North Decatur Presbyterian Church in Atlanta and co-moderator of More Light Presbyterians, a group supporting gay clergy.

The good Reverend needs to go back and read Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. It can't get much clearer, and you just can't cherry pick the Bible.

11 posted on 02/05/2007 3:57:24 AM PST by Virginia Ridgerunner ("Si vis pacem para bellum")
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To: Lurker
Some gay ELCA pastors defy the policy by being sexually active but don't tell church authorities.

So basically they're lying. Well that's mighty Christian of 'em.

Well, those rule against lying are in the OLD Testament (Ten Commandments), don't you see. They don't apply to today anymore. Geez, if we enforce that rule against lying, then we'd have to stone witches and sacrifice goats too, right? (this is sarcasm, please don't send me angry email!)

12 posted on 02/05/2007 4:06:17 AM PST by rockprof
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To: rockprof
this is sarcasm, please don't send me angry email

Wouldn't dream of it.

L

13 posted on 02/05/2007 4:14:08 AM PST by Lurker (Europeans killed 6 million Jews. As a reward they got 40 million Moslems. Karma's a bitch.)
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To: kb2614

Exactly. Christian churches, who obey the Bible, don't need to weary themselves over the issue, because there is no issue for them. Homosexuals are no more suitable for any position of leadership in the church than pedophiles, rapists, or murderers - or even habitual unrepentant liars. If you believe the Bible, there's no need to debate at all.


14 posted on 02/05/2007 4:15:23 AM PST by BMIC
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner
Hrmm my Bible don't say anything about smoking crack cocaine.....

Guess that means it is okay

15 posted on 02/05/2007 4:19:34 AM PST by expatguy (http://laotze.blogspot.com/)
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner
Yes, and he might do well to read what Jesus said about the Books of Moses.

John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law?

Luke 24:43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

The real problem is that they have set themselves as the authority OVER the word of God, they feel free to pronounce it wrong or in error and they will tell you what it would have said if God was to re write the Bible today. In a Church I used to attend I wondered why the new "conservative" minister was unconcerned. I found out when, to allay my objections told me the Moses did not write any of the books of Moses, Oh... except perhaps the Ten Commandments.

He could not give me even one reason to defend this belief he was unable to substantiate his view in any way what so ever. It was what he believed as he had been told so in college.

All the gay clergy/marriage/rights crowd are the same they simply reject the Word of God so have no problem with scripture contradicting then. They just ignore it.

16 posted on 02/05/2007 4:39:30 AM PST by protest1
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To: PetroniusMaximus
What a poor fool. He doesn't even know the Church's real mission.

My thoughts exactly. Well,I actually thought "The idiot, he doesn't. . ."

It's unfortunate, but the "church" has become a weapon of the left as well as the right to promote a social agenda instead of simply teaching the Good News, Salvation and Grace (I speak only of Judeo-Christian oriented sects, of course.)

After being long time Methodists, my wife and I left the Church for the Southern Baptists after the fifth or so sermon on Living Wage, Peace for Palistine (it's all Israel's Fault) or the Ambiguity of Hell.
17 posted on 02/05/2007 4:46:35 AM PST by CanisRex (Beware of altruism. It is based on self-deception, the root of all evil. --Lazarus Long)
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To: protest1

Too many church leaders feel more comfortable caring about "Mother Earth" and the environment and have left everything else behind (if they ever understood it to begin with).


18 posted on 02/05/2007 4:50:03 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
It is what I have been saying for two years...this is all about liberals acquiring the church assets to use for their own purpose. Gay pastors are simply the vehicle that is used to drive out traditional members. The ones who stay are the liberals, who will be quite happy when these churches use Granny's trust fund to endow a "peace institute" or a "diversity conference" which endorses Hillary.

It's all about the property. Otherwise, they would simply start their own churches.

19 posted on 02/05/2007 4:51:25 AM PST by Miss Marple (Prayers for Jemian's son,: Lord, please keep him safe and bring him home .)
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To: Miss Marple

She says as much.

I'm glad this is finally coming to a head.

It's time to fish or cut bait.


20 posted on 02/05/2007 4:53:36 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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