It's always nice to have the Los Angeles Times around to tell churches what to do.They ran this editorial to praise the PCUSA for becoming more PC, as if their news coverage wasn’t enough of a clue about how the powers at the paper feel.
Maybe not, if by "gay-rights movement" you are referring to the people who aren't homofascists.
Yes, but that won't stop homofascists from doing everything they can to bully churches into ignoring Biblical teachings on sexuality, marriage, and church leadership.
There's nothing really new in the viewpoints of moral relativism or in sexual behavior deviant from the Biblical ideal.
Except that the PCUSA already allowed their ordination. What it didn't allow was for the ordination of people who were known to be unrepentantly sinning (current) in the area of sexual behavior. That's what changed. Should the editorial board read their own paper's articles more carefully?
There's a difference between gay rights (I'm in favor of everyone having their rights protected) and homosexuality advocacy that infringes on the rights of others.
In other words, a lot of people allow the culture to drag them away from following Christ, rather than being change agents for Christ in the culture.
Perhaps, though the PCUSA is becoming more and more irrelevant, and this will only speed that. But it is refreshing to see the editorial board hoping a church will have further influence on public opinion.
Weasel words. We accept homosexual people. We do not deny the Biblical teaching on sexual behavior.
And what’s that? To change doctrine and practices when a tiny fraction of the membership holds their breath, stomps their feet, and wants everyone else to applaud what turns them on? If you want someone who is going to make you feel better about what you already do, collect sycophants who pretend to be friend, or find a therapist who will do so. A church is there, among other things, to call you to be better.
Religious institutions in this country that object to homosexuality have nothing to fear from the gay-rights movement.
Maybe not, if by "gay-rights movement" you are referring to the people who aren't homofascists.
Freedom of religion constitutionally protects them from having to perform same-sex marriages or elevate gays and lesbians to the clergy.
Yes, but that won't stop homofascists from doing everything they can to bully churches into ignoring Biblical teachings on sexuality, marriage, and church leadership.
Yet as society opens itself to new viewpoints over time, those perspectives influence people of faith.
There's nothing really new in the viewpoints of moral relativism or in sexual behavior deviant from the Biblical ideal.
So it was that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) this week voted to allow the ordination of gay ministers, elders and deacons. In doing so, it joined three other mainstream churches, including the Episcopal Church.
Except that the PCUSA already allowed their ordination. What it didn't allow was for the ordination of people who were known to be unrepentantly sinning (current) in the area of sexual behavior. That's what changed. Should the editorial board read their own paper's articles more carefully?
Americans' views on gay rights have been undergoing a rapid and dramatic change toward acceptance.
There's a difference between gay rights (I'm in favor of everyone having their rights protected) and homosexuality advocacy that infringes on the rights of others.
It was inevitable that religious congregants, affected by the more tolerant viewpoints in the secular world, would begin asking questions about long-held beliefs in their houses of worship.
In other words, a lot of people allow the culture to drag them away from following Christ, rather than being change agents for Christ in the culture.
Tuesday's stamp of approval from a venerable institution will further influence public opinion.
Perhaps, though the PCUSA is becoming more and more irrelevant, and this will only speed that. But it is refreshing to see the editorial board hoping a church will have further influence on public opinion.
No doubt, some people of faith will never accept homosexuality, and they have that right.
Weasel words. We accept homosexual people. We do not deny the Biblical teaching on sexual behavior.
But this welcome move by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) indicates that religion has a role to play in this nation's lurching progress toward gay rights.
And what’s that? To change doctrine and practices when a tiny fraction of the membership holds their breath, stomps their feet, and wants everyone else to applaud what turns them on? If you want someone who is going to make you feel better about what you already do, collect sycophants who pretend to be friend, or find a therapist who will do so. A church is there, among other things, to call you to be better.
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