Is the Anglican Church right to issue gay ultimatum?

Question

Will an ultimatum given to the US Church resolve questions of homosexuality and Anglican worship?

The US Church has been asked to form a new pastoral council allowing those who oppose gay clergy to worship, and to end the appointment of gay clergy and the blessing of same-sex couples.

The ultimatum, issued by Anglican archbishops to the US Episcopal Church, demands a response by 30 September, and follows a swell of opinion since the appointment of an openly-gay bishop in 2003.

Are you a member of the US Episcopal Church?

Is an ultimatum the way to deal with the issue?

Should biblical teachings on justice and tolerance take precedence?

Answer 1

The Bible, in Genesis, in chapters one and two, provides God's blueprint for marriage and for His good gift of sex. The gift is only to be enjoyed within a marriage between a man and a woman. There are no exceptions suggested, such as homosexual partnerships. From Genesis on, the Bible praises the marriage of a man and a woman, but it speaks only negatively of homosexual behavior whenever it is mentioned.

The Old Testament states, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable" (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13). The New Testament agrees, listing "homosexual offenders" among a list of people who "will not inherit the kingdom of God" unless they are cleansed through Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Other passages are Genesis, chapter 19; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Jude, verse 7. However, it is important to note that the Bible speaks only of homosexual behavior (which would include lust—choosing to fantasize about behavior), not unchosen feelings. God will not judge a Christian guilty for his or her involuntary feelings.

Sometimes it is said that the Bible does not record any words of Jesus about homosexuality, and therefore it must be acceptable to God. However, the Bible does not record sayings of Jesus about a number of other specific sins either. When people asked Jesus about marriage, He told them to remember what Genesis said about God's plan for marriage (Matthew 19:1-12). So, in this sense, Jesus did have something to say about homosexual partnerships. If people had asked Him, He would have told them to remember what God said about marriage in Genesis. God only blessed sex within the committed marriage relationship of a man and a woman.

Some have tried to reinterpret what the Bible says, in an effort to approve homosexual relationships. For a reply to such efforts, read "Straight and Narrow" by Thomas Schmidt or "A Strong Delusion" by Joe Dallas. These books are available through most Christian bookstores or through Regeneration Books, P. O. Box 9830, Baltimore, Maryland 21284, telephone: [phone].

Answer 2

There should not be a 'gay' section to the church. it fairly is not that some time past on the grounds that homosexuals have been jailed for something they did in public yet as end results of the the BBC and gay MPs it has very nearly substitute into the norm in our united states. childrens are being indoctrinated to settle for this abnormality as being favourite - it fairly is not - if it replaced into then it might additionally be widespread in the animal kingdom. we've too lots of people who leap on the bandwagon of largesse to flee with depravity. it fairly is an exceptionally unhappy ailment no longer a fashion of existence. it is going to in all hazard convey the church down whilst coupled with the ordination of girls bishops. The church of england has very shaky foundations - being based on the divorce of Henry V111 and Katherine of Aragon besides and those 2 issues ought to wind up being the death knell - besides which, how many human beings flow to church now , have faith or perhaps care?

Answer 3

I feel that the church has far more pressing concerns such as the reduction in regular attendance and should leave this matter alone. What difference does the sexuality of a member of the clergy make? Last time I checked, the Bible preaches love - not bigotry!

Answer 4

It may among people who attend the Anglican church but nobody else will care. And they have no right to do that in the U.S. we have freedom of religion, and they can't just say "Oh this guy is gay" and chuck him out, that would be impossible to prove unless he admitted being gay. I'm not episcopal as you can tell but i am protestant

Answer 5

I am an Episcopalian and I DO NOT think this is the way to handle the issue. We are NOT ordaining Gays and Lesbians right and left. It is a diocese-to-diocese issue and we need to be MORE concerned with issues facing us like poverty, AIDS, and divorce.

Answer 6

According to the Apostle Paul, they seem to have little choice.

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I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

~1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NIV)

Answer 7

Ultimatums in general are never a good idea.

I think that those who practice tolerance will simply break away and form their own sect.

Answer 8

This refers to the Primates in Tanzania. Can't we leave these monkeys to decide their own way of life? Okay, we are descended from them but they are still in the trees and that's their choice.

Answer 9

Like I have said before the hammer will come down, and the witch hunt begins, homosexuals have created their own doom, they have pushed society over the edge and now they are going to pay for it.

Answer 10

You can not condone homosexuality and follow the teachings of the Bible. If you condone something as vile and perverse and homosexuality than you might as well condone adultry, rape, murder etc. God does not condone it, how can his followers.