Box Turtle Bulletin
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyAugust 4th, 2007
Eileen Flynn, of the Austin American-Statesman is reporting this on her “Of Sacred and Secular” blog:
Are you serious, I thought when I heard the voice mail. More than 80 Lutheran ministers will go public with their homosexual identity next week? Mind you, these clergy members serve a comparatively liberal branch of Lutheranism, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
But still, many of those coming out on Tuesday are in homosexual relationships, and the ELCA restricts ordination to heterosexuals who are faithful in marriage or celibate homosexuals. As it happens, the ELCA will be debating the issue of dropping the celibacy requirement for gay ministers at its biennial assembly next week in Chicago.
The big coming-out party is slated to happen Tuesday at a press conference with Lutherans Concerned/North America.
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Benton
August 6th, 2007
As a former ELCA Lutheran pastor, it is about time the “dirty little secret” is brought out into the light.
Pastors have been in relationships for years and there has been a defaco “Don’t ask, don’t tell” within the church. One of my profs spoke of the “two gentelmen pastors who happend to share a home.” The prof said that they shared a home and what happened from there was no one’s business. I would agree.
What I find furstrating with the ELCA is the party line that they are open and accepting of all people. That only extends until you get to the leadership. Then there are big areas of unacceptance.
The Lutheran Church is THE reformation church. It is sad that others such as the ECUSA is leaving it in the dust.
Benton
August 10th, 2007
I was at the worship service on Wed. night in support of GLBT clergy. Over 650 people were present including bishops, bishops-elect, clergy, family, and supporters. A great comment was made by Emily Eastwood, Chair of Lutherans Concerned, North America. She said, “It is not a question of if this [having open GLBT pastors serve] will, pass but when.” I just hope it passes sooner as opposed to later.
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