Presbyterian Church's Gay Clergy Ban Overturned

On the heels of a landmark California Supreme Court ruling that overturned a ban on gay marriage, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has done the same thing regarding the ordination of gays and lesbians as ministers:

Leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) overturned a long-standing ban on the ordination of gays and lesbians Friday, providing yet the latest example of a religious denomination struggling with how, and whether, to incorporate homosexuality into church life.

At the same time, the church's national governing body, meeting in San Jose, refused to alter its definition of marriage, calling it a "covenant between a woman and a man." The actions by the General Assembly came the week after same-sex marriage became legal in California. They also follow the decision of a gathering of Methodists from Southern California and Hawaii, who went against their national church by voting to support same-sex couples who marry and the pastors who welcome them.

The Presbyterian Church is among many mainline Protestant denominations struggling to reconcile conflicting beliefs about biblical authority and the role of gays.

Comments

[lewes17266]

My family and I were so cruelly treated in our Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We had been loyal and faithful PCUSA members for many years. We had our babies baptized in Presbyterian Churches and we both served the church gladly, never expecting anything in return. We called the PCUSA 'home' for many years until our very hurtful and devastating experience in Winston-Salem at the hands of four pastors who all got caught in an adulterous affair with the same married woman.

I hope many people will read my profile here at the Huffington Post. What happened to me and to my family can happen again. We lost so much, especially my children.

There is still a lot of healing needed in the PCUSA. The Presbyterian Church has practiced double-standards far too long.

[Thurber]

There is no conflicting biblical authority in regard to the validity of homosexual relationships. There are only conflicting BELIEFS about biblical authority.

I'll trust Peter Gomes, a Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard and pastor of their Memorial Church when it comes to what the Bible actually has to say about those relationships ... nothing in particular.

In fact, most Eastern Orthodox churches have had blessings for same sex couples as a part of their services for long before we were ever a nation. It's time the rest of Christianity woke up and actually read their bibles instead of just thumping them.

[sparkey]

The old saying is true with all the religions. Follow the money. There isn't enough in the collection plate, so you go after the group that no other religion will let in. Along with this group comes the money. The catholic church will be next.

[wadenelson1]

In our (thriving) church it has nothing to do with money. We simply lack the judgmentalness, the hate, the fear necessary to exclude any person who wishes to worship Jesus Christ.

[lewes17266]

I rejoice for you but this was not my experience and I am not homosexual. I am asking you to read my profile. My family and I were treated with such cruelty in the Presbyterian Church.

[Trittydi]

Equal rights are not special rights.

Good for them.
*

[charlot]

Well you know, it IS a slippery slope. Now it's just a matter of time before the chuch starts ordaining pets and livestock. ;-)

[helonias]

Whats your views on church's full of graven images.

[fentondem]

pets and livestock...that is about the stupidest thing I think Ive read in a long time...you and the rest of the members of the religious wrong need to figure out how to handle your divorce rates 50% and up and not worry about what gay folks are doing cause they couldnt possibly make marriage a bigger mess than the straights have done.

[charlot]

Uh....my comments were tongue-in-cheek, meant to satirize the idiotic notions of the "religious wrong," which is what I call them, too. I am gay, I'm an atheist, and I was being totally sarcastic (hence the ;-) after my remarks. Sorry you didn't catch that.

[TN60]

I read somewhere that the state of Arizona has just put Gay marriage on the ballot for November. This makes two states including Colorado. There goes the West !!

Wonder how many more states will get it on the ballot to help the insane old coot.

Typical Republican Rovian playbook. God, Guns and Gays to be served up again. The NRA is revving up the Gun issue since the Supremes handed them a reward.

The Republicans are so tiring with their hate. Now we just have to wait and see which state is picked this time, by Rove, Inc and Deibold, to be the one to derail and rig the election by fraud. FLA 2000...Ohio 2004.

[xargaw]

Good for the Presbyterian Church. This is simply a matter of allowing all people in God's family to serve and use their gifts for the Lord. To deny gays and lesbians full participation in the church is unchristian. I imagine this will have more than a few Presbyterian ministers in a twit. I know that the homophobic Presbyterian minister in my town must be loosing it at this moment. But then he still thinks Bush was chosen by God, the War is just, and he is the final word on all things theologic. He is our very own mini-Dobson.

[MissingAmerica]

Score another for the human race!

[qofdisks]

I attend a presbyterian church with my young son and Sancho. The people there are loving and have accepted me in spite of my unconventional life style. There are some gays in the congregation and they are precious people to me personally. I started attending church for the sake of my child's exposure to our western culture. I hope that he will develop his talents in that church and I hope that he will emulate the qualities that the people in the church display.
I am an atheist and I do not partake of the Eucharist but in giving my son an exposure to a moderate and loving approach to religion, I hope he will not be vulnerable to charlatans later.

[gettysburg]

I'm a straight nmale, but I'd like to congratulate the Presbyterians for this action. It's nice to see a church actually practice what it preaches, love and acceptance for everyone.