Presbyterian court rules gays can't be ordained

[davidinalameda]

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080215/NEWS01/80215027

The top court in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has issued an unexpectedly early and decisive ruling upholding the Louisville-based denomination’s ban on ordaining non-celibate gays and lesbians.

The court said this week the ban remains firmly in place despite a 2006 policy change that had appeared to allow churches and presbyteries, or regional governing bodies, some flexibility in enforcing the ban.

The Presbyterian constitution allows “no departures” from its requirement that candidates for minister, elder or deacon live either in “fidelity” in a heterosexual marriage or in “chastity,” according to the ruling from the General Assembly’s Permanent Judicial Commission.

“The freedom of conscience granted in (the Presbyterian constitution) allows candidates to express disagreement with the wording or meaning of provisions of the constitution, but does not permit disobedience to those behavioral standards,” the court ruled. “The fidelity and chastity provision may only be changed by a constitutional amendment. Until that occurs, individual candidates, officers, examining and governing bodies must adhere to it.”

[Warpy]

1. Looks like there will be a well deserved exodus

of gay and lesbian Presbyterians to the UCC and Episcopalians.

It's a pity, really, because I know some congregations are quite liberal and welcoming.

[LeftHander]

4. UU too...you can still practice your faith and be part of a religious community

one that doesn't dictate what to believe.

[curlyred]

2. my congregation has ignored this for years

Under many different types of ministers....we've had openly gay elders and deacons for at least the last 25 years. I'm not sure what would happen if anyone from the presbytery ever pushed it, but that hasn't been an issue yet.

[Meeker Morgan]

3. Why do we want Jesus ventriloquists on our side anyway?

Freedom from religion!

[HumanBeast]

5. Why Bother?

I cannot even understand why any homosexual can follow any of the Abrahamic religions.