Presbyterians Approve Ordination of Gay People

[mgc1961]

After 33 years of debate, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has voted to change its constitution and allow openly gay people in same-sex relationships to be ordained as ministers, elders and deacons.

The outcome is a reversal from only two years ago, when a majority of the church’s regions, known as presbyteries, voted against ordaining openly gay candidates.

This time, 19 of the church’s 173 presbyteries switched their votes from no to yes in recent months. The Twin Cities presbytery, which covers Minneapolis and St. Paul, cast the deciding vote at its meeting on Tuesday. The vote was 205 to 56, with 3 abstentions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/us/11presbyterian.html?src=ISMR_HP_LO_MST_FB

[Deep13]

1. That explains the rain of firey hail this morning.

Oh, wait, that didn't happen.

I welcome this acceptance of reality by the Presbyterian Church.

[ZombieHorde]

2. Very good. Nice to see Christianity inch closer to basic human decency. nt

[progressoid]

3. Wow. 205 to 56.

very cool.

[closeupready]

4. This church is quite right-wing, so having noted THAT,

this vote is encouraging for those who wish to see gay people demarginalized.

[Zorra]

5. Cool. More progress.

Congratulations, Presbyterians.