Comments on: Lutheran groups spar over inclusion of gay pastors

By: Richard Anderson

Richard Anderson — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:38:13 +0000

This issue will never be solved by us in the ELCA. There is no question that a division in our church will occur and because of the stance and vote people will be leaving and joining other synods. The final judgement is Gods but the division in our church will occur as many do not believe that they should be able lead us as shepards leading the sheep to salvation.

By: James

James — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:49:24 +0000

The reference to homosexuality in the Bible is limited to only a few verses of the tens of thousands. If these few verses were in error or taken out of context then I would suggest to you that tithing (found in a similar number of verses) should also be stricken from church teachings. Jesus told the woman at the well with eight husbands to go and sin no more–this too must be stricken from our teachings!!! Drunkards should also not be excluded from our pastoral and teaching roles. Those that take the name of the Lord in vain should not be excluded–why is theirs a bigger sin? Isn’t a rapist also only fulfilling his own sexual desires–why exclude them–they are also children of God!!!

When you really look at it we are either a Christian church or we are a body that is empty of all meaning. If none of the Bible’s teachings matter than we are just supporting a group of synod leaders and church elders that want the best seats at the banquets.

You are the Church!!! What you accept in your own Church will eventually be what you accept in your own life.
There are guidelines for living set out in the Bible. You have the power to accept or reject them. I will not leave the Church but I will not give it my financial support if they offend core teachings of the Bible. If all of you do this we will eventually get back to some sort of reverence for the teachings of the Bible as a way of life.

By: Lutherans Pass Policy Statement on Human Sexuality by Supermajority : glaadBLOG.org

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:27:11 +0000

[...] Church of Christ as mainline denominations that have moved toward full inclusion in recent years. An increasing number clergy, laity and family members are going on record for [...]

By: Lane

Lane — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:08:22 +0000

Quick update.

Regarding the proposal to repeal the ban on non-celibate gay and lesbian ministers, the motion on Monday to have the vote on this matter changed from a simple majority to a two-thirds supermajority FAILED with 57% of the voters against.
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/53514822.html

The Social Statement on Sexuality PASSED on Wednesday by the thinnest of margins – 66.67%! A two-thirds supermajority was needed; of the 1,045 votes, AYE: 676 , NAY: 338, not voting/not present: 29, abstain: 2. UFF DA!
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/53738512.html

By: Lutherans Pass First Hurdle Toward Partnered LGBT Clergy : glaadBLOG.org

Lutherans Pass First Hurdle Toward Partnered LGBT Clergy : glaadBLOG.org — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:48:04 +0000

[...] ELCA is the second largest mainline Protestant church in the U.S. with 4.6 million members. This year, an increasing number clergy, laity and family members are going on record about the important [...]

By: German Lutheran

German Lutheran — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:04:32 +0000

Wow Erik,

I sense you have a lot of hostility.

Still, if you side with the gays, I must ask you to help me organize the next ELCA convention in Teheran next year. Wouldn’t that be a hoot?!?!

Your contempt for all other forms of sin is as insincere as your acceptance of homosexuality as a hetrosexual.

Either you are a Lutheran in name only, and never attended Sunday School or Bible study, or you are a phony just posting for the gay cause… like any straight would care…. sheesh!

bottom line is Erik, Martin Luther held that marriage can only be between a man and a woman and it is HIS church.

WWMLD?

He would tell you to get out!

By: Erik

Erik — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:40:29 +0000

Romans 1:27 “…the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet…”

Pretty clear. Oh wait, what’s this next verse:

“…they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents..”

I patiently wait for the ELCA to ban from the clergy all people who are covetous, envious, who debate, are proud, who boast, or who are disobedient to their parents. Why will this never happen? Because no modern Lutheran of any stripe lives a “Biblical” life, or a life that resembles the first Christians in any way. They, like all Christians (liberal and conservative), pick and choose the passages which reinforce the life they have chosen for themselves, and then they congratulate themselves for being on God’s side. Pharisees and Sadducees all over again.

As a straight ally, all I can do is to encourage my gay brothers and sisters to stop wasting your time with these hypocrites and get out while you can. I did. I still love my Lutheran relatives, but I have no time for this superstition.

“Christians” commenting here: try directing your disgust at a sin that is condemned in the Bible far more than gay sex: greed. I’ll listen to you after your national campaign to rid the church of the greedy. Currently, they sit on your church councils and have buildings at your colleges named after them.

By: German Lutheran

German Lutheran — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:07:56 +0000

The Bible also tells us to distance ourselves from sin and sinners Paul. That is why a homosexual free ELCA is so important to those truly following the Bible.

Paul, isn’t it funny how you homosexuals get angry and twist try to twist the Bible to fit your own sinful lifestyle? I think it is very funny. You girly men are all so angry! Gay is truly not the correct word to describe you.

Paul, your sexuality is not important to me. Your soul is.

When you are an old man unable to have sex, you will think back on these days and regret them and think, “Boy, was I a fool.”

By: paul

paul — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:43:36 +0000

Worry about yourself, German Lutheran.

That “judge not, lest ye be judged” thing seems easy for you to ignore. Not to mention the one about casting the first stone…

By: German Lutheran

German Lutheran — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:22:30 +0000

Grace and judgement go hand-in-hand and you homosexuals seemingly want to neglect you are not only living in sin but working to further its acceptance.

God can show grace on a person who sins and repents and feels bad about it. I do not see that in the homosexual community. I see all of you making excuses for your behavior and then wanting it to be commonplace.

To put it in simple terms you and anyone reading this can understand. We all will face a day to be judged. We may not all be shown grace.