Political Crossfire Forums

[ToonArmyIsComing]

Looks like some Christians are open minded!

Quote: United Church of Christ backs gay marriage

ATLANTA (AP) — The president of the United Church of Christ said his denomination "acted courageously to declare freedom" when it passed a resolution endorsing same-sex marriage on Independence Day.

The resolution calls on member churches of the liberal denomination's 1.3 million members to consider wedding policies "that do not discriminate against couples based on gender." It also asks churches to consider supporting legislation granting equal marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples and to work against laws banning gay marriage.

The endorsement by the church's rule-making body Monday makes it the largest Christian denomination to endorse same-sex marriage. The vote is not binding on individual churches, but could cause some congregations to leave the fold.

"On this July Fourth the General Synod of the United Church of Christ has acted courageously to declare freedom, affirming marriage equality, affirming the civil rights of same gender couples to have their relationships recognized as marriages by the state, and encouraging our local churches to celebrate and bless those marriages," said the Rev. John H. Thomas, president of the United Church of Christ.

Roughly 80% of the representatives on the church's 884-member General Synod voted to approve the resolution Monday, a day after a committee recommended it.

A small group of conservative congregations had proposed an alternative resolution defining marriage as between a man and a woman, and suggested that supporting gay marriage could lead to the church's collapse.

The Rev. Brett Becker, who represents a group of more conservative churches, said it is possible his congregation at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Cibolo, Texas, will leave over the resolution.

"I would like to see us stay in the denomination and network for positive change," Becker said. "However, many of my members have expressed very clearly that this decision would cause great consternation and that, if this happened, they would want to see us leave."

Formed in 1957 and traditionally strong in New England, the United Church of Christ has a tradition of support for gays and lesbians. It is distinct from the more conservative Churches of Christ, which has some 2 million members in the U.S.

UCC churches are autonomous, meaning the General Synod does not create policy for its more than 5,700 congregations.

In the early 1970s, the denomination became the first major Christian church to ordain an openly gay minister. The church declared itself to be "open and affirming" of gays and lesbians 20 years ago.

"This is a significant moment," said the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, of Cleveland, coordinator of a church coalition addressing gay and lesbian issues. She said the decision emphasizes that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are "spiritual people who love and are loved by God."

But Becker does not think Monday's vote was representative of the wishes of most church members.

"If we had put it to a vote of the people in the pews, it would have failed overwhelmingly," he said. "This is truly Independence Day for the UCC — we have declared ourselves independent from the teachings of Jesus and the clear teachings of Scripture."

Homosexuality also has been a divisive issue for a number of other churches.

The Anglican Communion has been divided since its U.S. branch, the Episcopal Church, consecrated an openly gay bishop in 2003. The United Methodist Church is also debating a panel's decision to reinstate a gay minister who had been defrocked.

This summer, a special task force of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is set to finish its report about how to overcome severe disagreements on gay relationships and other issues.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-05-church-gay-marriage_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA

[StrangerWitCandy]

good for them :)

[SavannahMan]

"If we had put it to a vote of the people in the pews, it would have failed overwhelmingly," he said. "This is truly Independence Day for the UCC — we have declared ourselves independent from the teachings of Jesus and the clear teachings of Scripture."

Amen.

[StrangerWitCandy]

^ :lol: it'd be nice to know who said it. maybe then it might mean something to someone

[SavannahMan]

StrangerWitCandy wrote: ^ :lol: it'd be nice to know who said it. maybe then it might mean something to someone

you would be amazed at what you could learn if you would actually take the time to read the articles posted in the threads....didnt make it past the headline did ya? :(

[StrangerWitCandy]

SavannahMan wrote: StrangerWitCandy wrote: ^ :lol: it'd be nice to know who said it. maybe then it might mean something to someone

you would be amazed at what you could learn if you would actually take the time to read the articles posted in the threads....didnt make it past the headline did ya? :(

nope cause i already heard this news before. good news tho!

[Anjire2]

StrangerWitCandy wrote: ^ :lol: it'd be nice to know who said it. maybe then it might mean something to someone

The Rev. Brett Becker, who represents a group of more conservative churches, said it is possible his congregation at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Cibolo, Texas, will leave over the resolution.

Is the who in from the above quote. Conveniently left out is also...

Roughly 80% of the representatives on the church's 884-member General Synod voted to approve the resolution Monday, a day after a committee recommended it.

So the quote is the opinion of one of the more conservative representatives of the entire synod.

[StrangerWitCandy]

Anjire2 wrote: StrangerWitCandy wrote: ^ :lol: it'd be nice to know who said it. maybe then it might mean something to someone

The Rev. Brett Becker, who represents a group of more conservative churches, said it is possible his congregation at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Cibolo, Texas, will leave over the resolution.

Is the who in from the above quote. Conveniently left out is also...

Roughly 80% of the representatives on the church's 884-member General Synod voted to approve the resolution Monday, a day after a committee recommended it.

So the quote is the opinion of one of the more conservative representatives of the entire synod.

this is assuring to know. thanks :-D

[SavannahMan]

It wasnt conveniently left out - I assumed people would read the article before offering comment. Guess not - no need to read anything as long as you stick to the "Homosexual Talking Points".

[StrangerWitCandy]

SavannahMan wrote: It wasnt conveniently left out - I assumed people would read the article before offering comment. Guess not - no need to read anything as long as you stick to the "Homosexual Talking Points".

or if you've already heard this news and would like to quickly state your opinion and move on :lol: i'm sorry for jumping on you about who said the quote. it was truly my bad

[Anjire2]

SavannahMan wrote: It wasnt conveniently left out - I assumed people would read the article before offering comment. Guess not - no need to read anything as long as you stick to the "Homosexual Talking Points".

How about this quote then?

"This is a significant moment," said the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, of Cleveland, coordinator of a church coalition addressing gay and lesbian issues. She said the decision emphasizes that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are "spiritual people who love and are loved by God."

Do you believe that gay, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender are "Spiritaul people who love and are loved by God?"

You jumped right over that one to bold out your own opinion of what "christianity" should be. Who is it that has "talking" points?

[eXploiTeD]

SavannahMan wrote: "If we had put it to a vote of the people in the pews, it would have failed overwhelmingly," he said. "This is truly Independence Day for the UCC — we have declared ourselves independent from the teachings of Jesus and the clear teachings of Scripture."

Amen.

Churches abandoned the teachings of Jesus long ago. Most of it is made up, or simply misunderstood over thousands of years.

[SavannahMan]

eXploiTeD wrote: SavannahMan wrote: "If we had put it to a vote of the people in the pews, it would have failed overwhelmingly," he said. "This is truly Independence Day for the UCC — we have declared ourselves independent from the teachings of Jesus and the clear teachings of Scripture."

Amen.

Churches abandoned the teachings of Jesus long ago. Most of it is made up, or simply misunderstood over thousands of years.

Guess you are going to the wrong church.