Thursday, August 20, 2009

From the Lutheran's statement

You can find the full statement linked here
This church recognizes that, with conviction and integrity:

•On the basis of conscience-bound belief, some are convinced that same-gender sexual behavior is sinful, contrary to biblical teaching and their understanding of natural law. They believe same-gender sexual behavior carries the grave danger of unrepentant sin. They therefore conclude that the neighbor and the community are best served by calling people in same-gender sexual relationships to repentance for that behavior and to a celibate lifestyle. Such decisions are intended to be accompanied by pastoral response and community support.

•On the basis of conscience-bound belief, some are convinced that homosexuality and even lifelong, monogamous, homosexual relationships reflect a broken world in which some relationships do not pattern themselves after the creation God intended. While they acknowledge that such relationships may be lived out with mutuality and care, they do not believe that the neighbor or community are best served by publicly recognizing such relationships as traditional marriage.

•On the basis of conscience-bound belief, some are convinced that the scriptural witness does not address the context of sexual orientation and lifelong loving and committed relationships that we experience today. They believe that the neighbor and community are best served when same-gender relationships are honored and held to high standards and public accountability, but they do not equate these relationships with marriage. They do, however, affirm the need for community support and the role of pastoral care, and may wish to surround lifelong monogamous relationships or covenant unions with prayer.

•On the basis of conscience-bound belief, some are convinced that the scriptural witness does not address the context of sexual orientation and committed relationships that we experience today. They believe that the neighbor and community are best served when same-gender relationships are lived out with lifelong and monogamous commitments that are held to the same rigorous standards, sexual ethics, and status as heterosexual marriage. They surround such couples and their lifelong commitments with prayer to live in ways that glorify God, find strength for the challenges that will be faced, and serve others. They believe same gender couples should avail themselves of social and legal support for themselves, their children and other dependents, and seek the highest legal accountability available for their relationships.

Although at this time this church lacks consensus on this matter, it encourages all people to live out their faith in the local and global community of the baptized with profound respect for the conscience-bound belief of the neighbor. This church calls for mutual respect in relationships and for guidance that seeks the good of each individual and of the community. Regarding our life together as we live with disagreement, the people in this church will continue to accompany one another in study, prayer, discernment, pastoral care, and mutual respect.

13 comments:

June Butler said...

...some are convinced that same-gender sexual behavior is sinful, contrary to biblical teaching and their understanding of natural law.
....

They therefore conclude that the neighbor and the community are best served by calling people in same-gender sexual relationships to repentance for that behavior and to a celibate lifestyle.


And the same reasoning is used for the other conclusions. Their reasoning makes no sense. What am I missing?

And the natural law argument is considered by many to be way past the sell-by date. Just saying.

Not good news.

June Butler said...

Some read the statement as positive.

IT said...

Mimi, I think it is positive in the sense that they are staying together even in the face of lots of disagreement. (probably only a minority adhere to the point that you quoted)

Paul said...

It seems immensely positive to me in that each side affirms that those who disagree with them come to those positions out of a faithful effort to discern God's will. No, we do not agree, but we will remain brothers and sisters in Christ in the midst of our disagreements, rather than calling each other names and questioning each others' motives.

Word verification: isout Interesting choice.

June Butler said...

Obviously, there's a good bit that I'm not understanding, so I'll be quiet until I've read a bit more.

The Werewolf Prophet said...

It seems to me that this statement subtly binds all the parties together in clear-yet-unstated agreement that there are no bad guys in the discussion. And perhaps I'm projecting, but at an even deeper level, it seems to reject deranged screaming.

IT said...

I suspect, Wolfie, if you looked at them closely, you would find that Lutherans do not have fearsome eyebrows.

June Butler said...

All right, I think I understand. The Lutherans said, some believe this, and some believe that, and we won't split over it. I see that as blah news.

The vote on whether the church will accept or reject its gay and lesbian ministers will tell the tale.

IT said...

Well, not exactly "blah", perhaps an example of what living together really entails? ;-) but I think you are right, the proof is in tomorrow's voting.

The Werewolf Prophet said...

IT said... "I suspect, Wolfie, if you looked at them closely, you would find that Lutherans do not have fearsome eyebrows.

ROLFM*T*O! Yah, what IS it with ++Williams and those monstrous appendages of his?!!?

Jake said...

Not only Dr. Williams, but a certain archbishop wannabe is also known for his fearsome eyebrows.

So, there is some precedent for eyeing certain unkempt eyebrows with great suspicion.

Anonymous said...

It's about time +Tom Wright told them off.

IT said...

Perhaps we should establish an Eyebrow Metric and correlate it with the likelihood of schism, wishy-washyness and deranged screaming.