Presbyterian assembly votes to drop gay clergy ban

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), bitterly divided over sexuality and the Bible, set up another confrontation today over its ban on ordaining non-celibate gays and lesbians.

The denomination's General Assembly, meeting in San Jose, Calif., voted 54 percent to 46 percent today to drop the requirement that would-be ministers, deacons and elders live in "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between and a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness."

The proposed change to the church constitution requires approval from a majority the nation's 173 presbyteries, or regional church bodies - a yearlong process that has proven to be a barrier to similar efforts in the past.

Of equal importance to advocates on both side of the debate, the assembly also voted to allow gay and lesbian candidates for ordination to conscientiously object to the existing standard. Local presbyteries and church councils that approve ordinations would consider such requests on a case-by-case basis.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_9722236

[swimboy]

1. Excellent and right

I hope the regional church bodies will follow suit.

[and-justice-for-all]

2. The churches are so hard up for more members...

they have began to bit-the-bullet.

[merwin]

4. Not really. The presbyterian church is one of the more progressive churches.

I'm a member of one near Seattle. I have a hunch that our pastor is a closet socialist :)

[MountainLaurel]

5. Funny you should say that

From today's Washington Post:

Denomination Posts Steep Membership Losses

The Presbyterian Church (USA) suffered its worst annual membership decline in decades last year.

The Louisville-based denomination reported 2.2 million active and confirmed members in 2007, a loss of 57,572 members and a 2.5 percent decrease from 2006. It's the denomination's largest membership loss in terms of numbers since 1981 and the steepest percentage loss since 1974, when it fell 2.7 percent.

The church has been steadily losing members since peaking at 4.25 million in the mid-1960s.

Opinions differ about the cause for the decline, including controversies over homosexuality, low birth rates, an aging white population and a societal move away from institutions in general. Some congregations also have left for a more conservative Presbyterian denomination.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/27/AR2008062702675.html

[Ian David]

3. Yes! Welcome to the 20th Century! Next stop, Marriage Equality and the 21st Century! n/t

[Aristus]

6. Oh, what next? You think Jesus would allow a terrorist or someone to be a clergyman?

Oh, that's right: Simon the Zealot.

Or how about a filthy, greedy tax collector?

Oh, that's right: Matthew

Well, He surely would not allow a man who denied his knowledge of Christ to actually lead the entire church, would he?

Oh, that's right: Simon Peter.

Well, at least he would not permit a man who actually persecuted Christians to lead them...

Oh, that's right; He did: Saint Paul.

Well, at least Jesus wouldn't keep company with a dirty disease-riddled prostitute...

Oh that's right; He did: Mary Magdalene.

Well, at least Jesus, the patriotic rabble-rouser, would not show love and compassion to a Roman military commander, of all people.

Oh, that's right; He did: The faithful Centurion.

Wow, man. It's seems like the only ones who can receive Jesus' love and grace are human beings...

How strange...

edit: I left out a word. :dunce:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

7. I'm pleased for them.

I was raised as a presby, graduated from a Presbyterian college and was impressed with their education and broadminded outlook. I got an excellent education there.

Now I'm a Unitarian secular humanist but still admire them.