[Protagoras]

I said what I thought he should do. I merely point out that not everyone responds to their intellectual conclusions the "proper" way.

If a person doesn't believe in the virgin birth they shouldn't be clergy I guess. But I suspect that very few denominations would have adequate clergy if every single tenet of their denomination had to believed heart and soul by those who are otherwise Christian. It's a difficult question and I doubt that many could pass the test in thier own minds. Better to live a lie until you can make other arrangements I suppose.

[federalisthokie]

Its hard to set an example for your flock if you are "living a lie".

[pgyanke]

> "Better to live a lie until you can make other arrangements I suppose."

Priests are supposed to guide the faithful in their faith. Living a lie until you can make other arrangements is absolutely heretical and sinful. Such people need our prayers. They also need to be removed from positions where they can warp other's views of their religion.

Having an opinion is fine. Disbelieving your own faith is beyond the pale for a practicing priest and he should cease practicing.

[VRWC_minion]

If a person doesn't believe in the virgin birth they shouldn't be clergy I guess. .

A clergy person could say and believe the Apostles creed or the Nicene Creed which spell out the "minimum" faith and still question the virgin birth. For example, the Nicene creed merely says Jesus was incarnate from the Virgin Mary. It leaves open the exact method of becoming "incarnate" and Mary's becoming pregnant. Likewise the Apostle's creed reads "He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.".

What the clergy person cannot do is be disobedient to his bishop. The man swore an oath of obedience and he rightfully assumed his Bishop would not want him speaking his viewpoints on this issue in public if they contradicted his own. Even it the Bishop might be Ok with him doing so but he might be upset that he did so without permission. It would be a subordinate act.