go church!

Drasta · Post by **Drasta** » May 13, 2005, 1:26 am

Church addresses same-sex matters
by TARA REILLY

tarar@herald-mail.com

HAGERSTOWN - The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland passed by a "substantial majority" four resolutions dealing with same-sex issues, including one that opposes any constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Episcopal Bishop Robert W. Ihloff announced the passage of the resolutions in a written statement on Tuesday.

The diocese also held a press conference on the resolutions Tuesday at the Diocesan Center in Baltimore.

The votes were cast during the diocese's 221st convention, which was held Friday and Saturday at the Clarion Inn and Conference Center Antietam Creek in Hagerstown.

Rectors of several Episcopal churches in Washington County did not return phone calls Tuesday seeking comment on the resolutions.

The other three resolutions passed support legislation providing benefits to same-sex couples, prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression and sexual orientation, and the establishment of a commission to study and recommend "appropriate pastoral responses to couples living in relationships other than marriage."

Ihloff said the resolutions defend "the rights of all persons," which is called for in the Gospel.

"It is clear that Our Lord Jesus Christ worked among the poor and spoke out for the marginalized," he said. "Issues of social justice lie at the heart of the Gospel. All persons are loved children of God, and Jesus and our Baptismal Covenant call us to 'love our neighbor' and to 'respect the dignity of every person.' As we 'seek and serve Christ in every person,' we are called to defend the rights of all persons and fight against bigotry and discrimination at every level."

The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is part of the Episcopal Church in the United States and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The U.S. Episcopal Church caused controversy in the Anglican Communion when it elected an openly gay New Hampshire bishop in 2003 and for supporting the blessing of same-sex marriages.

"The Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church have long called for appropriate pastoral care of and Christian respect for gay and lesbian brothers and sisters," Ihloff said in the statement. "Members of our Church around the world interpret Scriptural passages applied to homosexuality in different ways. In this diocese, we acknowledge with thanksgiving gay and lesbian members, some of whom are in committed, lifelong relationship ... We do support the rights of same-sex partners to equal protection under the laws of our state and nation."

Ihloff said the church did not authorize the blessing of same-sex marriage in the votes.

The same-sex marriage resolution states that proposals to amend the U.S. or Maryland Constitutions "would create new discriminatory barriers to gay and lesbian persons who desire equality in taxation, child custody, personal finances, and the right to make health-care decisions for elderly or sick partners."

The diocese supports benefits for gay couples "as a witness to our commitment to 'strive for justice and peace for all people and respect the dignity of every human being,'" according to another adopted resolution.

The diocese also has called for the appointment of a commission of lay and clerical members to study marriage, unions and civil rights, and to develop "appropriate Christian responses to questions about who should have access to civil marriage or unions; and to recommend appropriate pastoral responses to couples living in committed relationships other than marriage."

wow im shocked and amazed

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » May 13, 2005, 2:07 am

they are Episcopaliens, they are pretty liberal when it comes to religions. Hell, they have a gay bishop somewhere in the country.

Think of them as catholic light.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » May 13, 2005, 12:53 pm

yeah , Episcopalianism is definitely the most progressive major denomination, which is no coincidence that it has a high concentration of affluent, urban members. George Bush I for is one of them!

miir · Post by **miir** » May 13, 2005, 12:55 pm

Which church is the right church?
Which god is the right god?

I'm so confused.

Post by **Sylvus** » May 13, 2005, 1:15 pm

my church/god are quite obviously the right ones.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » May 13, 2005, 2:06 pm

guess there are still some "true christians" left

im sorry but if you think biblical jesus would oppose same sex marriage (or interracial marriage as argued 20 years ago) your a fucking idiot, or just a close minded bastard trying to force some ignorant false ideals around

Sylvos · Post by **Sylvos** » May 13, 2005, 3:16 pm

Thank God Xzion posted. I was sure that this thread wouldn't be complete without his wordly and wise view of how the world works.

Now this thread can be validated. Praise the Lord.

cid · Post by **cid** » May 13, 2005, 3:20 pm

He is just giving his own views on a topic like everyone here does. Just because he belives in God, should not make him a target.

Sylvos · Post by **Sylvos** » May 13, 2005, 3:30 pm

cid wrote:He is just giving his own views on a topic like everyone here does. Just because he belives in God, should not make him a target.

No but the HUGE BULLSEYE ON HIS FOREHEAD DOES!

har!

Sabek · Post by **Sabek** » May 13, 2005, 4:11 pm

Sionistic wrote:Think of them as catholic light.

Half the guilt of your regular religion.

Badabidi · Post by **Badabidi** » May 13, 2005, 4:25 pm

cid wrote:He is just giving his own views on a topic like everyone here does. Just because he belives in God, should not make him a target.

I don't think Xzion is a christian, but eitherway Sylvos' post made me laugh

cid · Post by **cid** » May 13, 2005, 4:26 pm

Badabidi wrote:
cid wrote:He is just giving his own views on a topic like everyone here does. Just because he belives in God, should not make him a target.
I don't think Xzion is a christian, but eitherway Sylvos' post made me laugh

sar·casm ( P ) Pronunciation Key (särkzm)
n.
A cutting, often ironic remark intended to wound.
A form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.
The use of sarcasm. See Synonyms at wit1.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » May 13, 2005, 4:28 pm

How exactly does your post fit any of those descriptions?

cid · Post by **cid** » May 13, 2005, 4:31 pm

I guess if I would have added this

to the end of it you would then understand.

You are a stupid fuck.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » May 13, 2005, 4:33 pm

Yes I am a stupid fuck because you are shit at sarcasm, nice logic Cid, you sure you shouldn't be off finding a unified theory or something instead of sitting about arguing about your inability to pull of a basic flame?

cid · Post by **cid** » May 13, 2005, 4:39 pm

Never said I was trying to flame. You preach a lot about people not using logic. Practice what you preach.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » May 14, 2005, 12:06 am

for the record im agnostic, im not christian..yet i respect and appreciate certain values of several different religions, ive always loved studying and learning theology

slyvos, what the hell is wrong with you?
Unless you have an unusual sense of sarcasm which I cannot detect (and in which case don’t regard the rest of the post) you come off as a miserable sexually repressed fuck by trying to analyze and attack someone who has never acknowledged your person, and remained neutral to you on all mediums, in game (despite being in CT) and on a message board, you and kilmoll make these random attacks with no past tensions based on absolutely nothing as an excuse to wave your virtual cock around making up for a deep sense of insecurity