Change in CF rules

[Tess]

I'm pleased with the new changes; definitely a step in the right direction

 

[revanneosl]

This whole business with CF pretending that all Christians agree on the issue, and that there are no gay Christians, and forcing married people to change the marital status on their profile to "committed relationship" instead of "married" if they're not straight is just ridiculously frustrating. It reminds me very much of the times that somebody has said right to my face, "I don't believe in women ministers." I'm always, like, "Dude - I'm sitting right in front of you! BELIEVE!"

 

[hedrick]

Give it some time. The core of CF is pretty clearly conservative evangelical. It's a lot of progress that they're willing to talk.

 

[Marius27]

Give it some time. The core of CF is pretty clearly conservative evangelical. It's a lot of progress that they're willing to talk.

They're not willing to talk, that's the issue. The only ones willing to talk are the more accepting, less ultra conservative groups. All the others have flat out said, there is nothing to talk about, homosexuality is evil.

 

[SnowyMacie]

I was curious the other day and looked at how the polls in the various congregation/faith group subfourms are going, and this is what I found:

Anabaptists - 66.7% yes, 33.3% no (6 votes)
Non-Denominational - 18.8% yes, 81.3% no (32 votes)
Presbyterian "CCC" - 40% yes, 60% no (10 votes)
Eastern Orthodox "TAW" - No poll, but SoP reads they follow the official statement regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage from the Assemby of Canonical Orthodox Bishops
Methodist/Nazarene "Wesley's Parish" - 84.6% yes, 15.4% no (13 votes)
Baptists - 28.6% yes, 71.4% no (21 votes)
Catholics "OBOB" - No poll, temporary ban on all topics related to homosexuality, SoP refers to follow Catechism of RCC.
Anglican "STR" - 84.6% yes, 15.4% no (13 votes)
Oriental Orthodox "VID" - No poll, but also appears to be a pretty dead sub-forum.
Salvation Army "Cyber Corps" - 100% yes, 0% no (2 votes)
Pentecostal/Assemblies of God - 41.7% yes, 58.3% no (12 votes)
ELCA/ELCIC - 81.8% yes, 18.2% no (11 votes)
LCMS/WELS/ELS/LCC - No poll, SoP has a statement that reads "The LCMS/WELS/ELS/LCC forum allows homosexuality and same sex marriage to be discussed, however, no promotion is allowed. Promotion is defined as encouragement of the progress, growth, or acceptance of something including advertising and publicity. The following statements explain the position of the conservative denominations of the Lutheran church on homosexuality and same sex marriage:"
United Church of Christ - 100% yes, 0% no (4 votes)
Looking for a Church - No poll, but this is more of a place to ask questions to find a church home.
Conservative Christianity - No poll, SoP is same as LCMS, which I think are the site's old rules.
Messianic Judaism - 34.8% yes, 65.2% no (23 votes)
Progressive/Moderate Adventists - No poll, SoP indicates they follow Adventists teachings on the matter.
Traditional Adventists - No poll, same as above
Moderate Christians "Bridge Builders" - 71.4% yes, 28.6% no (7 votes)
Fundamentalist Christians - No poll, keep to old rules.
Liberal Catholics "Lord's Table" - 100% yes, 0% no (3 votes)
Reformed "Semper Reformanda" - 7.7% yes, 92.3% no (13 votes)
Charismatic Catholics - No poll, but also a pretty dead forum, rules same OBOB
House Churches & Cell Groups - 100% yes, 0% no (1 vote)
Restoration Movement "NCBC" - 66.7% yes, 33.3% no (3 votes)
Spirit-Filled/Charismatics - 47.4% yes, 52.6% no (19 votes)
Word of Faith - 50% yes, 50% no (8 votes)

 

[Marius27]

I'm surprised Non-Denominational is such a high vote for no. Didn't realize that was so dominated by conservatives.

 

[SnowyMacie]

I'm surprised Non-Denominational is such a high vote for no. Didn't realize that was so dominated by conservatives.

I think I'm most suprised that Pentecostal/AoG and Sprit-Filled/Charismatic are as close as they are, I always thought thise were very socially conservative groups.

 

[AceHero]

I'm surprised Non-Denominational is such a high vote for no. Didn't realize that was so dominated by conservatives.

To me, just from what I experienced growing up, "non-denominational" seems like code for "evangelical."

 

[SnowyMacie]

The polls are closed, the results are based upon adjustments for posters who broke the rules. Here are the final results:

Anabaptists - 33.3% yes, 66.7% no (3 votes counted, 3 ineligible) - No open discussion
Non-Denominational - 14.2% yes, 85.3% no (21 votes counted, 11 ineligible) - No open discussion
Presbyterian "CCC" - 25% yes, 75% no (8 votes counted, 2 ineligible) - No open discussion
Eastern Orthodox "TAW" - No poll, but SoP reads they follow the official statement regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage from the Assemby of Canonical Orthodox Bishops
Methodist/Nazarene "Wesley's Parish" - 90% yes, 10% no (10 votes counted, 3 ineligible) - Open discussion
Baptists - 30% yes, 80% no (15 votes counted, 6 ineligible) - No open discussion
Catholics "OBOB" - No poll, temporary ban on all topics related to homosexuality, SoP refers to follow Catechism of RCC.
Anglican "STR" - 75% yes, 25% no (8 votes, 5 ineligible)
Oriental Orthodox "VID" - No poll, but also appears to be a pretty dead sub-forum.
Salvation Army "Cyber Corps" - 0 eligible votes (2 ineligible), forum defaults to no open discussion
Pentecostal/Assemblies of God - 33.3% yes, 66.7% no (9 votes, 3 ineligible) - No open discussion
ELCA/ELCIC - 80% yes, 20% no (5 votes, 6 ineligible)
LCMS/WELS/ELS/LCC - No poll, SoP has a statement that reads "The LCMS/WELS/ELS/LCC forum allows homosexuality and same sex marriage to be discussed, however, no promotion is allowed. Promotion is defined as encouragement of the progress, growth, or acceptance of something including advertising and publicity. The following statements explain the position of the conservative denominations of the Lutheran church on homosexuality and same sex marriage:"
United Church of Christ - 100% yes, 0% no (1 vote, 3 ineligible) - Forum will keep status quo, but poll may be requested in 6 months
Looking for a Church - No poll, but this is more of a place to ask questions to find a church home.
Conservative Christianity - No poll, SoP is same as LCMS, which I think are the site's old rules.
Messianic Judaism - 37.5% yes, 62.5% no (16 votes, 7 ineligible) - No open discussion
Progressive/Moderate Adventists - No poll, SoP indicates they follow Adventists teachings on the matter.
Traditional Adventists - No poll, same as above
Moderate Christians "Bridge Builders" - 60% yes, 40% no (5 votes, 2 ineligible) - Open discussion
Fundamentalist Christians - No poll, keep to old rules.
Liberal Catholics "Lord's Table" - 0 eligible votes (3 ineligible), forum defaults to no open discussion
Reformed "Semper Reformanda" - 0% yes, 100% no (9 votes, 4 ineligible) - No open discussion
Charismatic Catholics - No poll, but also a pretty dead forum, rules same OBOB
House Churches & Cell Groups - 0 eligible votes (1 ineligible), forum defaults to no open discussion
Restoration Movement "NCBC" - 100% yes, 0% no (1 vote, 2 ineligible) - Forum will keep status quo, but poll may be requested in 6 months
Spirit-Filled/Charismatics - 36.3% yes, 63.7% no (11 votes, 8 ineligible) - No open discussion
Word of Faith - 40% yes, 60% no (5 votes, 3 ineligible)

 

[hedrick]

The one result that's unfortunate is for the United Church of Christ. I understand that one vote is too small. But in fact it's just about the most liberal Protestant denomination. There's no question that a larger vote would have produced a positive result. Sticking it with a conservative policy is not going to help in keeping the group alive.

 

[Ada Lovelace]

This whole business with CF pretending that all Christians agree on the issue, and that there are no gay Christians, and forcing married people to change the marital status on their profile to "committed relationship" instead of "married" if they're not straight is just ridiculously frustrating. It reminds me very much of the times that somebody has said right to my face, "I don't believe in women ministers." I'm always, like, "Dude - I'm sitting right in front of you! BELIEVE!"

I agree with you start to finish in this post and give you a for the last part.

The people who don't "believe" in women ministers should come to the wonderful church I attend sometime. Our Senior Pastor and two Associate Pastors are women. They are inspiring, incredibly knowledgeable, and a huge part of the reason why I drag myself out of bed on Sunday mornings and head over (I'm a college freshman, and most others are still snoozing at that hour, ha). We do have two fantastic men who are Emeritus Pastors and are still very involved.

 

[Radicchio]

I agree with you start to finish in this post and give you a for the last part.

The people who don't "believe" in women ministers should come to the wonderful church I attend sometime. Our Senior Pastor and two Associate Pastors are women. They are inspiring, incredibly knowledgeable, and a huge part of the reason why I drag myself out of bed on Sunday mornings and head over (I'm a college freshman, and most others are still snoozing at that hour, ha). We do have two fantastic men who are Emeritus Pastors and are still very involved.

I also agree.
I am a member of a Lutheran Church and our Pastor Brenda Bos is excellent.

 

[Marius27]

The one result that's unfortunate is for the United Church of Christ. I understand that one vote is too small. But in fact it's just about the most liberal Protestant denomination. There's no question that a larger vote would have produced a positive result. Sticking it with a conservative policy is not going to help in keeping the group alive.

Yeah, I find that surprising. There are obviously several very inactive forums there, but the UCC probably needed no vote at all like we didn't.

 

[Radicchio]

Yeah, I find that surprising. There are obviously several very inactive forums there, but the UCC probably needed no vote at all like we didn't.

I agree I was a member of a UCC/DOC joint church for nearly three years before rejoining an ELCA church. The UCC church was very liberal, and the first church that I attended that had an open and affirming statement. It simply does not make sense to exclude the UCC.

 

[XtianAgain]

I still don't understand how homosexuality is the great sin that divides the Christian Church. I'm convinced you can do just about everything else and be accepted in most churches. Very odd. I really think murderers are more likely to be welcomed in than homosexuals in committed relationships. Maybe, its me. Sometimes I wonder if I'm one of the few Christians who is straight and don't think the LGBT community is the boogieman.

 

[hedrick]

I still don't understand how homosexuality is the great sin that divides the Christian Church. I'm convinced you can do just about everything else and be accepted in most churches. Very odd. I really think murderers are more likely to be welcomed in than homosexuals in committed relationships. Maybe, its me. Sometimes I wonder if I'm one of the few Christians who is straight and don't think the LGBT community is the boogieman.

Not really. Catholics and mainline Protestants are generally accepting. Among evangelicals 1/4 to 1/3 are, and the number is rising.

 

[XtianAgain]

Well, I'm in the American South. While I don't dispute those numbers, it certainly seems different here.lol

 

[AceHero]

This whole business with CF pretending that all Christians agree on the issue, and that there are no gay Christians, and forcing married people to change the marital status on their profile to "committed relationship" instead of "married" if they're not straight is just ridiculously frustrating. It reminds me very much of the times that somebody has said right to my face, "I don't believe in women ministers." I'm always, like, "Dude - I'm sitting right in front of you! BELIEVE!"

I agree with you start to finish in this post and give you a for the last part.

The people who don't "believe" in women ministers should come to the wonderful church I attend sometime. Our Senior Pastor and two Associate Pastors are women. They are inspiring, incredibly knowledgeable, and a huge part of the reason why I drag myself out of bed on Sunday mornings and head over (I'm a college freshman, and most others are still snoozing at that hour, ha). We do have two fantastic men who are Emeritus Pastors and are still very involved.

I spent my early childhood in the Disciples of Christ. For a couple years we had a female pastor. She was an older lady who gave off a really nice grandmotherly presence. I don't understand how people think women shouldn't be in leadership positions in the church. Women played a significant part of the early church, from what I understand.

 

[JCFantasy23]

The one result that's unfortunate is for the United Church of Christ. I understand that one vote is too small. But in fact it's just about the most liberal Protestant denomination. There's no question that a larger vote would have produced a positive result. Sticking it with a conservative policy is not going to help in keeping the group alive.

I agree. It was an interesting way to see a majority vote. Not by a 50/50 standard or a simple majority - if so, more would be allowing yes on the discussion after the votes were tallied.

To me, just from what I experienced growing up, "non-denominational" seems like code for "evangelical."

From the two non-denom churches I've visited, I have to agree with you from my small exposure.

 

[SnowyMacie]

I spent my early childhood in the Disciples of Christ. For a couple years we had a female pastor. She was an older lady who gave off a really nice grandmotherly presence. I don't understand how people think women shouldn't be in leadership positions in the church. Women played a significant part of the early church, from what I understand.

Cause people ignore the fact that all the passages referring to women being silent and not in leadership are written to Ephesus, which has a very strong female cult, and that there's a Deaconess named Pheobe in Cenchreae and a woman named Priscilla who seemed to be in the inner circle with Apostles.