Gay Episcopalian bishop predicts other churches will welcome gays

Agence France-Presse. | 8/06/03

[kattracks]

The US Episcopal church's first openly gay bishop predicted that other churches would soon follow his denomination's example in welcoming gays into their leadership.

"I suspect that before too very long, other denominations will also follow and welcome openly gay and lesbian people into leadership positions. That's my prayer," Gene Robinson told ABC television on Wednesday.

A majority of the church's House of Bishops on Tuesday voted 62 to 45 to ratify Robinson's appointment as bishop of New Hampshire, church officials said, ending three days of contentious debate.

Conservatives within church ranks, many of whom have fiercely opposed Robinson's election on the grounds it violates Biblical teachings, were quick to express their disapproval, and a group of 24 bishops threatened to resign if he were elected.

"Well, anytime anyone decides to leave the church, it's a very sad thing. And I certainly have been praying and will be praying every day that such a thing does not happen," Robinson said. "Indeed, I don't think it needs to happen."

"The Episcopal Church in this country, and the Anglican community worldwide, the great gift we bring to the world is we are able to maintain a wide diversity of opinions on various issues while holding our faith in Jesus Christ as central and the thing that binds us together as the body of Christ. So I think there's no reason for us to come apart," Robinson said.

The Episcopal Church, the US branch of the Anglican Church, has more than 2.1 million followers, making it the 10th-largest Protestant church in the United States.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Aliska answered your question at post #69

[jacquej]

Yours was a very interesting post. Could you point me to websites that have more on this subject?

Your link doesn't seem to work, at least on my browser...

[Salvation]

The heaqdline is misleading here.

Gays are welcomed in all churches. Aren't we all sinners, and aren't we all welcomed by Christ?

The point of this whole thing is that of a "homosexual person being elevated to a position of leadership."

That, I believe, most churches do NOT accept!

[mtbopfuyn]

"Well, YES, I think it's shameful that "Bishop" Robinson is one of our shepards, but I can't leave this cute little church that I've been going to for 20 years...I love the music here."

You're right. Most won't have the guts to abide by the Word and leave.

[dfwgator]

Maybe they'll welcome them as choir directors or church organists, but ministers? Don't think so.

[Salvation]

**It says in the Bible man Should not be with a man nor a women with a women.**

You are correct and the Roman Catholic Church has stood firmly against this for centuries and still continues to do so today.

God bless us all.

[xzins]

predicts other churches will welcome gays

Looks like hell's gonna be as full as some have said it would be.

[Salvation]

**The difference being that the CC opposes such placement, while individual bishops believed they knew better.**

BTTT!

[fooman]

But, But I thought that sodomy was just 'private' matter.

We are all just being bigots here /sarcasim

[Digger]

Satan is at work in the Epsicopal Church USA

Satan is at work in virtually all of the American churches & we will pay a heavy price within this decade, IMO. Actions do have consequences, except if you are a "Two-Party Cartel" pol or big supporter of such. Possibly the faithful will respond in a tea party effect & change this outcome. Prayers, sure - action a necessity. Stay tuned.

[MattGarrett]

When asked for comment, the Heavenly Father said:

[stands2reason]

The Presbyterian USA Church is conservative? I had no idea....I thought all main-line denominations (excepting the Southern Baptists) were having problems like the Episcopals and Methodists and such. I grew up in a Church of Christ (unaffiliated)---you can't get much more conservative than that.

[fooman]

Right. There is no domecracy in the catholic church. I did not agree with the pope on Iraq. He was a hypocrite on Iraq since we helped him with poland.

IF we had an openly gay bishop that would not be removed, I would not attend mass, unless the priest was against it.

If the pope ever supported women priests or gays---I am out.

[N. Theknow]

What you are looking for is in Romans.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

[stands2reason]

Calvinism and brevity do not go together apparently....

[Ramtek57]

What does the New testament say about sodomy, homosexuals, lesbians, etc....

[greenthumb]

I came across a couple of interesting quotes while reading Creed or Chaos? by Dorothy Sayers this morning:

"We have been trying for several centuries to uphold a particular standard of ethical values which derives from Christian dogma, while gradually dispensing with the very dogma which is the sole rational foundation for those values....having renounced the dogma, they have renounced the ethics as well--and from their point of view they are perfectly right."

"'Take away theology and give us some nice religion' has been a popular slogan for so long that we are apt to accept it, without inquiring whether religion without theology has any meaning."

Leaders of any church or denomination that do not teach basic Christian theology on a regular basis for whatever reason--afraid of alienating their congregation, the belief that theology is only for an elite few and/or irrelevant to daily life--is setting the stage for this (and much worse) to happen in their churches.

[RussianConservative]

Well consider that patriarchs of hebrews had multiple wives and concubine. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. Can just as easily mean narcocism or beastiality. I argue that women more inclined toward bi-sexuality then men. Psychologically. Also if man has multiple wives this preferred as it keeps them on closer ground to each other then if not so calmer house hold.