Forum for LGBTQ Christians and allies

[Joy]

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[Sojourner1]

The Whosoever Will, May Come - Liberal forum and the Scripture,Tradition,Reason-Anglican & Old Catholic forum have fairly relaxed rules regarding discussions about homosexuality and same sex marriages. We don't want members to be actively campaigning for the acceptance of SSM or homosexuality, nor encouraging others to enter into these relationships, but in these forums discussion from both sides of the issue are free to talk about their own personal opinions.

Guidelines for topics of homosexuality and same sex marriage:
The STR forum has open discussion on homosexuality and same sex marriage with fewer restrictions regarding promotion (both sides may discuss each point of view). The following guidelines will apply to open discussion on these topics:

• All posts must align with the sitewide rules, especially the rule about profanity and vulgarity (no discussions or images that are sexually explicit).
• Members may not make posts which could be considered blatant campaigning for the acceptance of homosexuality or SSM.
• Members may not distribute any blatant propaganda about homosexuality or SSM [propaganda: information of a biased or misleading nature used to promote or publicize a particular point of view].
• Members may not encourage another member to practice homosexuality or enter into a same sex marriage.

One of my motivations is that several denominational groups now support same-sex marriage and support gay people as ordained clergy. My denomination, the Episcopal Church, is one of these. Because of this, our churches need to be able to counsel young same-sex couples as they enter into marriages, and we need to be able to support the LGBTQ members of our churches in the variety of ministries that they are engaged in. We need to listen to the experiences of our LGBTQ church members to better understand their needs, and this requires some extended conversations. I would like for those conversations to be able to occur on CF.

We will not be opening a new forum for LGBTQ Christians to find the type of support that you are describing above. They will need to find this type of support in their own churches and communities, not here at CF. Opening a forum for the purpose that you present would not align with CF's statement on Marriage.

CF Statement on Marriage
CF has taken the stand that marriage was established by God who created us male and female (Genesis 1:27-28). We regard marriage as a sacred institution that symbolizes the mysterious bond between Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:23-24, Ephesians 5:32). We believe that marriage is much more than a civil contract between two persons, it is a sacred joining together of a man and a woman into one flesh, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:21-25). Therefore, we only recognize heterosexual marriages here at CF. If you are in a same sex marriage you must select a marital status of either "Legal Union (Other)" or "Private" in your profile.

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