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LeftOut
by Daryl Moore
Gays
and Lesbians in the Church
As the denominations debate whether they can “survive”
the inclusion of gays,I
wonder, Can we survive “Christian” bigotry?
Churches
across America are debating the issue of same-sex marriage.
The Presbyterian Church will consider the issue this
May. The Methodist church is awash in debate over the
issue. It recently tried—and acquitted—a group
of California ministers who participated in a mass blessing
of same-sex unions in January, 1999.
Just
last week, however, a major commission of the Episcopal
Church ruled that religion is “not ready, theologically
or scientifically, to say a defining word about the
life of homosexuals in the church.”
Apparently,
the commission issued its statement with the hope that
it could avoid a bloodbath over the issues of gay ordination
and same-sex unions at its General Convention, which
will take place this July in Denver. The General Convention—the
denomination’s legislative assembly—meets
every three years and is expected to vote on these issues.
If this vote occurs, it will formally resolve a dispute
that has been raging in the Episcopal Church for 20
years.
One
faction of the Episcopal Church supports the ordination
of gays and the blessing of same-sex unions. It is pushing
for a vote on these issues at General Convention.
Another
faction of the Episcopal Church opposes ordination of
“avowed” homosexuals and opposes the blessing
of same-sex unions. It also opposes a vote on the issues
at General Convention and argues that a vote on these
“divisive” issues will literally split the
church.
This
declaration that the sky is falling appears to have
scared some. Indeed, the same commission that stated
that the Episcopal Church is not ready to say a defining
word about the church life of homosexuals also recommended
that the General Convention not take any action with
regard to same-sex unions and gay ordination. It recommended
that the national church leave the resolution of these
issues to each individual diocese.
As
an Episcopalian in a diocese in which the bishop is
opposed to same-sex unions and gay ordinations, I’m
opposed to leaving it up to each diocese. I don’t
believe gays or lesbians should be treated any differently
by their church because they live in Texas rather than
New York.
I
appreciate that if the General Convention endorses same-sex
unions and gay ordinations, some in the church will
leave. The Episcopal Church can handle that. History
tells us so.
Just 25 years ago, the General Convention debated the
ordination of women. Opponents of women in the priesthood
argued that the idea of “women” and “priesthood”
were scripturally incompatible. Many threatened to leave
the church if women’s ordination passed. Nonetheless,
it passed. And some did indeed leave, but the Church
managed to survive.
Just
last week, Episcopalians in central North Carolina made
their diocese the first in the South to elect an African-American
bishop when they chose a Baltimore minister to lead
their 33,000 members. Some in that diocese will leave
rather than be led by a black person, but that diocese
and the Church will survive.
At
this summer’s General Convention, or three years
from this summer, or three years after that, the Episcopal
Church will have to say a defining word about homosexuality.
When it finally does, and when it finally recognizes
that the last place gays and lesbians should have to
lie about their God-given sexuality is in the Church,
some will leave. But the Episcopal Church will survive.
And so will the Methodist Church, and the Presbyterian
Church, and even the Baptist Church.
Bigoted
“Christians” have survived for 2,000 years.
Gays and lesbians have survived longer. And, eventually,
we shall overcome. Even in the institutional church.
Writing
from the liberal end of the spectrum, Houston attorney
Daryl Moore has a general practice and is board certified
in civil appellate law. He can be reached at DarylMoore@outsmartmagazine.com.
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