Crystal Cathedral choir is asked to sign anti-gay covenant

[Newsjock]

Source: Orange County Register

Choir members at the financially troubled Crystal Cathedral say they are upset by a covenant they have been asked to sign that places a strong emphasis on them being heterosexual and Christian.
The "Crystal Cathedral Worship Choir and Worship Team Covenant," recently handed out to members, states that members should commit to being Christians by following the Bible in every way.

Sheila Schuller Coleman, senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral, stated that the Reform Church has consistently maintained that marriage must be between one man and one woman. This statement is part of a covenant, which several of the cathedral's choir members are reluctant to sign.

Former and current choir members say they are particularly offended by a statement in the document that refers to homosexuality. Long-time church members say this is the first time they have seen the cathedral take a firm stand against homosexuality and are disturbed by it.

The covenant states: "I understand that in an era where images of family relationship and personal sexuality are often confused, Crystal Cathedral Ministries believes that it is important to teach and model the biblical view. I understand that Crystal Cathedral Ministries teaches that sexual intimacy is intended by God to only be within the bonds of marriage, between one man and one woman."

Read more: http://www.ocregister.com/news/choir-292266-cathedral-members.html?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:c12cf1b2-58c4-40f3-8994-ccc63a96fe7b

[CommonSensePLZ]

1. Sounds like profiling to me. /nt

[SoCalDem]

2. still throwing stones in that glass house

I thought they went bankrupt & folded..

[GodlessBiker]

3. Nothing about divorce?

[KT2000]

4. Sickos n/t

[snagglepuss]

5. It's pretty obvious. They are near bankrpcy so they need to create buzz.

[Divine Discontent]

6. "Long-time church members say this is the first time they have seen the cathedral take a firm stand"

well, they know what to do then, either get them to retract that horribly judgmental mindset within their board, like has been reported at some churches around here where the church has apologized to GLBT congregants, or simply quit singing for them!

It does seem like, as stated above, they're profiling the choir and trying to get them to obey their demands on how they want them to live...
I'd never go to that church to begin with, but I sure hope those there will bolt like lightning and let that 'company' just fail since it's original preacher has retired.

what an utter BS request! thanks for the OP.

[old mark]

7. Schuller always struck me as a kind of enthusiastic salesman, amusing rather than offensive...

this must be his daughter...I heard they are in bad financial difficulties, and I suspect she might be steering the whole thing to the very conservative bigoted side of pop religion to gain some financial support...To paraphrase Rush, I hope she fails...

mark

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Shit, here comes the God Police.