"Lutherans Prepare To Vote On Accepting Gay Clergy"

[Strong Atheist]

<snip>

And now, the pro-gay lobby is gaining momentum — less through bomb-throwing than just wearing the conservative opposition down.

"Most of our people are, frankly, tired of the struggle, but we don't want to give up," says the Rev. Paull Spring, who heads Lutheran Coalition for Reform, a group that opposes the ordination of clergy in openly gay relationships.

"There's nothing personal attached to this at all," he adds. "But it is a biblical concern. What does Holy Scripture teach about marriage, what does it teach about family, what does it teach about sexuality? It's very clear: There is no support within Holy Scripture for this kind of relationship."

Those wanting gay ministers disagree: They say Jesus was all about including everyone in his work and mission.

Now that disagreement is being put to the test. And it looks as if the liberals have a good chance of winning.

So conservatives like Spring are already preparing to create a new church within the ELCA, with its own constitution, education system and rules for calling ministers.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111910440


More:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-08-10-lutheran-gay_N.htm


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111910440

[sweetloukillbot]

1. The vote passed on Thursday.

Something like 550-450.

It allows clergy in monogamous, long-term gay relationships to serve as pastors. Gay pastors were previously allowed only if they were celibate.

I know one church in Phoenix has already threatened to leave the ELCA over this, I say good riddance frankly. I think it will split the synod in the long term, sadly.

[Strong Atheist]

2. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[JerseygirlCT]

8. I'm sure they'll find a happy home in

the Wisconsin or Missouri Synods, though, yes?

I'm with you - and have felt the same way about the bigoted schismatics in the Episcopal church: see ya!

[geistvomeinzelganger]

3. Tolerance and Acceptance,

There are far too many Christians that use the Old Testament to deny Christ and His teachings.

I think they should remove the Old Testament from the Christian Bible. It is obviously a Jewish book that Christ Himself contradicted numerous times in the New Testament. The Old Testament is just that, OLD, and it basically became obsolete as soon as Christ started His ministry, and what did Christ say about serving two masters?

[JerseygirlCT]

9. Really, it's less about removing it

than it is about actually attempting to understand it. Those fundamentalists/literalists never see the forest for their little tree. Christians like that would do well to look at the Jews relationship to Torah, instead of the simple-minded and simplistic literal reading.

[ZombieHorde]

4. This was unreced. Who would do such a thing?

I wonder if some freepers are on DU, just to unrec threads, or perhaps some unrec hating DUers unrec threads as anti unrec propaganda.

[charlie]

5. Or...

We do have a few regulars who think homosexuality is unwholesome, un-Godly, and unmentionable.

At least one of them is a Lutheran.

[ZombieHorde]

6. That could as well. nt

[JerseygirlCT]

10. Seriously?

Wow. That's sad.

[Strong Atheist]

7. I really don't worry about that in R&T. It is part of the terrain... nt.