Reply #5: I don't really see a "confrontation"

[Frangible]

I'm a member of the ELCA, we have a very "progressive" viewpoint. The motion to allow openly and actively gay pastors was narrowly defeated in 2005 (490-503). For more information see http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/policy/

Remember the ELCA already allows gay and lesbian pastors. My pastor is female, and that alone isn't something you'd see in the more, ah, "conservative" churches. (she does a great job, too)

I don't have a problem with it personally, but you have to understand that this "double standard" exists along the following logic: any lust or sex outside of a male/female marriage is sin. Sin isn't the issue, and adultry is at the bottom of the list in terms of what the Bible records God as considering severe... everyone sins, the issue is whether or not they show repentance for it. (arrogance, lying, greed and hate are at the top) Thus, the argument is if they have active relationships they cannot be reptentant.

I don't agree with that logic and believe it is flawed. Do you expect someone who is obese to have a 100% success rate every moment of every day in a perfectly ideal diet and exercise program? No. Continuation does not prove the lack of reptentance. Further, I don't see how they guarantee the same isn't true in a different way for other clergy; I don't think you can. As long as they can be good clergy, then I say ordain them.