It is a step forward. From The Patriot News:
Clergy in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania soon might have the option of blessing same-gender couples, the diocesan bishop said Sunday.
The Episcopal Church has decided “to take another step forward toward full inclusion of all its members,” the Right Rev. Nathan D. Baxter, bishop of the diocese, said Sunday after the 142nd annual Diocesan Convention that was held during the weekend in State College.
Baxter said if trial liturgy of a same-sex blessing is approved at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, his diocese will use it, too. The General Convention will be held next month in Indianapolis.
“We’ve had a task force working on this issue for some time considering the proposed blessing of same-gender unions prayerfully and thoughtfully,” he said.
Although the Episcopal Church has ordained openly gay bishops in the United States, it has not taken an official stand on gay marriage. The Episcopal Church believes that homosexuality in and of itself is not a sin.
This is contingent on a vote, but I want to point out two things. First, I am sure this is good news for individuals in the Episcopal Church. Second, this is Central Pennsylvania – the land oft referred to as “Alabama” … keep that in mind.
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It is a step backwards.
Homosexuality is not **in and of itself** a sin, anymore than are kleptomania or alcoholism, but homosexuality IS a sin, as are drunkenness or theft:
1Cr 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Cr 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Cynthia,
I suggest you and the church invest equal effort into addressing drunkenness, theft, adultery, extortioners and those who covet – statistically speaking, there would be more of each of those than LGBT persons. If you just focused on drunks, I could get behind that. The world really would be a better place!
Thanks for commenting.
Sue