LGBT Christians, Rejoice!
Posted by: madamab on: August 22, 2009
- In: Current Events | Gay Rights | Human Rights | Open Thread
- Comment!
Oh, Happy Day!
Well, this is some excellent news. First the Episcopalians, and now the Lutherans, are ceasing to discriminate against their ministers simply because of whom they love.
The nation’s largest Lutheran denomination Friday reversed a long-standing ban on the appointment of non-celibate gays to the clergy, becoming the second major Christian group in a month to liberalize policies governing who may minister the faith.
Leaders of the 4.6-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, meeting in Minneapolis, gave local congregations the authority to choose ministers or lay leaders who may be in “lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.”
The decision follows a similar action last month by officers of the Episcopal Church, who lifted a de facto ban on the consecration of partnered gay bishops.
Theologians and church analysts said both votes could influence other Protestant denominations — including Presbyterians and United Methodists — that are struggling to reconcile conflicts over homosexuality and the Bible.
I really have to pause here, because homosexuality and the Bible do not conflict if you decide that they don’t. It’s as simple as that. Every denomination of Christianity picks and chooses which portions of the Bible they will honor and which they will not. Why else are there so many different ways to honor Jesus Christ? The Jewish religion picks and chooses as well, and although there are plenty of restrictions on sexual behavior in the Torah, reform Judaism has discarded them, choosing to keep what it interprets as the spirit of the Law, rather than the strict letter.
I certainly hope the other denominations will follow the lead of the Episcopalians and Lutherans in showing love and tolerance towards their LGBT sisters and brothers. But for now, let’s say an “Amen!” for the good news of the day.
OPEN THREAD
26 Responses to "LGBT Christians, Rejoice!"
August 22, 2009 at 6:58 PM
madamab I brought this up from the last thread and wow we were channeling each other again great minds you know what they say…I have added a little to it….
I wish those folks that are claiming to be more American than me would take a look at the state of the republic…our constitution is a living and breathing document it represented the best justice that our foreparents could formulate at the time.
These men for they were all men were not demigods they were visionaries. I wonder how much more could have been accomplished if in Philadelphia in 1787 they had as Abigal Adams had sugested had included the ladies….
They created a document that with the bill of rights has endured until this very day. It has only been altered 15 times since. We should be proud that our people have stuck with it for so long. It has endured because each generation has strived to extend the franchise of citizenry and sufferage to more and more of America’s people.
Sadly we may be the first generation not extend the franchise by denying it to Women Immigrants and The LGBT community. This is not something we should be proud of.
August 22, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Fuzzy, Cinie says that today was the official anti-gummint care AstroTurfing day. No wonder they were out there showing their ignorance!
I would have taken pix, but it started pouring the second I left the restaurant. Not the best for high-quality picture-taking.
August 22, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Madamab I have to say this may be teh best news yet…dont forget the United Church of Christ they have been affirming of the gay and lesbian bisexual and Transgendered members for years even if their most famous member….The pampers in chief doesnot.
Also the Society of Friends (Quakers) have also Affirmed their gay and lesbian friends….
More and more people are coming to understand that real faith comes from the belief that the Creator Father-Mother God/dess wants communion with us through a continuing conversation between us the created and the Creator.
The Creator reveals his/her self to each succeding generation in ways that understand our ability to procieve the the very nature of the universe. The creator clarifies with each generation what she/he is and how we came to be.
As we become more aware of how the universe works we the created draw closer to understanding the Creator hopefully gaining better understanding of each member of creations value uniqueness and humanity.
Well Its what I believe! We are all here because we are ment to be hear we all have our story and our history…we are all important to each other and deserving of respect.
We are all charged with protecting each other even those with whom we most disagree. This does not mean capitulation it means simply that we do not denegrate our brother and sister even when they are in error.
Oh and this goes for them too, they cant take our protection with offering the same. Even though they disagree with us. It is the social compact of our republic and our duty to the Creator Father Mother god/dess.
August 22, 2009 at 7:19 PM
why are all the smart people commenting at the widdershins? As a lefthanded person I am quite comfortable with counterclockwise…
August 22, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Preach it Brother Fuzzy! I am so glad you’re back!
I used to sing in the choir of a United Church of Christ congregation in Westchester County. They were very welcoming and LGBT friendly, as you say.
August 22, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Stepping out to cook some dinner for my hubby. See you all later!
August 22, 2009 at 7:45 PM
It’s wonderful news. If the Lutherans can get, is it possible the state of California might, too???
August 22, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Tmacwords – don’t feel too bad about California…my home state’s Senate imploded over same-sex marriage. The House passed the bill, but the Catholic “Democrats” in the Senate could not handle it.
They should be ashamed of themselves!
August 22, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Mad,
Shame on them! What the heck kinda Dems are they, jerks!
O/T slightly:
I am over on POGO sinning. Getting my butt kicked in high stakes poker. Loosing all my make believe money. LOL
August 22, 2009 at 9:56 PM
LOL CNAK! As long as it’s fake, who cares?
I’m now watching “My Man Godfrey” on PBS. Fantastic!
August 22, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Isn’t it amazingly sad that today, in the twenty first century, we celebrate one more religious group that has decided to leave the first century behind? Not that it isn’t worth celebrating, but what the heck, why are so many others still mired in centuries old religious bigotry contained in centuries old writings by men who were full of superstition and ignorance.
It is good news, but sadly, there are all those other holier than thou institutions still preaching hate out there. Lots of work still to do. AS an aside, why is hate so strong in religion? I’ve never understood that. It’s a puzzlement.
August 22, 2009 at 10:08 PM
HT – I know. I’ll never understand it.
One more down, lots and lots to go!
August 22, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Football! Football! Dolphins v. Panthers. This will keep me amused ’til my Bulldogs kick off in 2 weeks.
August 22, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Chatblu…has anyone ever told you that you are a tad single-minded? LOL
August 22, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Chat,
Mad has a point about the football. LOL xxxooo Just teasing ya.
August 22, 2009 at 10:53 PM
I love y’all, too. I confess that footballphilia is one of my vices.
August 22, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Well, we kinda guessed that, chatblu! 
Hubby is beside himself…we get the NFL HD channel now. He even got to see the Skins play a bit today; they didn’t do too badly against the Steelers, considering the Steelers won the Super Bowl last year!
I think I’m gonna turn in. Night all!
August 23, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Sorry, cleff. I just got back from dinner. If we are on the same page about the “I told you so”, then it makes sense to me that the Lutherans would do this. They must be all as good and loving as you. LOL (Lot’s of love) Now, can you help with those damn Fundamentalist! LOL (Lot’s of laughs)
August 23, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Don’t know why I put “Lot’s”. Weird. Too much wine at dinner. Lots of love and laughs.
August 23, 2009 at 5:16 AM
Nope La, can’t help you with the fundies, my creds are all with the Lutherans. All I can do is what I can do.
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August 22, 2009 at 6:12 PM
It is so nice to be able to write about some good news for once.
