The Ordination of Practicing Homosexuals

[Ave Maria]

Hello everyone! Are you for or against the ordination of practicing homosexuals? Please vote in my poll and discuss!

 

[Ave Maria]

Personally, I am for the ordination of practicing homosexuals.

 

[TomUK]

Broadly speaking i am against. However being in a theological college with a number of the openly gay individuals has been challenging - it is clear that God has placed a calling on their life and i'm trying to reconcile that with what the church clearly teaches.

 

[brightmorningstar]

To Ave Maria,
I am against the ordination of anyone wilfully practicing any sin, including same sex relationships, in fact I think wilfully practicing sin and not accepting it is sin is an indication that a person hasnt yet accepted the forgiveness of sins and Christ as saviour. (which is what a number of scriptures including 1 Cor 6 indicate)

 

[Yardstick]

So you are against anyone but Christ being ordained?

 

[Secundulus]

So you are against anyone but Christ being ordained?

The key word there was willfully. And yes, there are plenty of Christians, perhaps the majority, who are deceiving themselves as to their standing with God.

 

[New_Found_Faith]

Personally, I don't see homosexuality within the context of a modern, monogamous relationship as being sinful. So I am naturally in favor of letting such a person pursue Church leadership if they feel that they have been called to do so.

Even if I did view it as sinful, I would still support ordination of such a person if they were well qualified. All preists willfully sin. I don't care if the sin is alcoholism, gluttony, or overall rudeness. There is not a perfect one among them. I chose to judge not, and cast no stones.

The individual is more qualified to decide if they are called to the priesthood than I, IMHO.

 

[brightmorningstar]

To Yardstick,

So you are against anyone but Christ being ordained?

No, I am against anyone promoting sin. Are you for everyone promoting sin being ordained?

 

[brightmorningstar]

To New Found Faith,

Personally, I don't see homosexuality within the context of a modern, monogamous relationship as being sinful.

Why not? The scriptures indicate faithful unions are man and woman or celibacy, and that same sex relationships are error; there is no scriptural support for that idea and indeed its against scripture.

So I am naturally in favor of letting such a person pursue Church leadership if they feel that they have been called to do so.

If they don’t know the scriptures the question is have they been called in the first place, I suggest not.

Even if I did view it as sinful, I would still support ordination of such a person if they were well qualified.

Again, who decides whether something is sinful, you the person wanting to be ordained or God? Who do you think ordains if someone if called by God? If one is called by God, God ordains them.

I don't care if the sin is alcoholism, gluttony, or overall rudeness. There is not a perfect one among them. I chose to judge not, and cast no stones.

So for you it is alright to promote sin? I think you will find that’s not a hallmark of a Christian, Christians seek repentance when falling short in sin rather than revelling in the sin.

The individual is more qualified to decide if they are called to the priesthood than I, IMHO.

Again, that excludes God.

 

[Sitswithamouse]

I have no problem with the ordination of homosexuals.

 

[brightmorningstar]

I dont see that the word of rules out believers who have adulterous or same sex desires, but it rules out the ordination of people who promote the sins.

Is this about God's purpose or a religion for people that people can create themselves?

 

[wayseer]

Perhaps it best to remember Archbishop Rowan Williams words ...

The bishops of the Communion have collectively acknowledged that a period of gracious restraint in respect of actions which are contrary to the mind of the Communion is necessary if our bonds of mutual affection are to hold.

... and observe the 'period of gracious restrain' in these matters.

 

[brightmorningstar]

Perhaps we should remember what the word of God says and also note there has been no gracious restraint in promoting the error.

 

[Sitswithamouse]

Any words that could make it easier for someone to attack or abuse a homosexual person are words of which we must repent. Do not think http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repentancerepentance is always something others are called to, but acknowledge the failings we all share, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinsinful and struggling disciples as we are.

Rowan williams 2004

 

[brightmorningstar]

To Sitswithamouse,

Any words that could make it easier for someone to attack or abuse a homosexual person are words of which we must repent. Do not think repentance is always something others are called to, but acknowledge the failings we all share, sinful and struggling disciples as we are.

Rowan williams 2004

That doesnt necessarily work, it depends what words cause it. Anyone who doesnt take any notice of God's word against same sex relations isn't necessarily going to take any notice of God's word to love even one's ememies.

 

[Yardstick]

To Yardstick,
No, I am against anyone promoting sin. Are you for everyone promoting sin being ordained?

All but Christ are in error. All willfully sin. We don't even have to get into a discussion about the nature of homosexuality to see that your standards for the priesthood are impossible.

Who exactly are you to tell God whom can and cannot be called?

 

[brightmorningstar]

To YardStick
We don’t all go around celebrating and seeking to steal, commit adultery, lie, slander and be as greedy as possible, and blessing it. Not sure why you cant see the disctinction when it comes to same sex relations.

 

[Albion]

All but Christ are in error. All willfully sin. We don't even have to get into a discussion about the nature of homosexuality to see that your standards for the priesthood are impossible.

No, it's actually quite easy to sort out applicants for ordination who "promote" sinning from those who don't advocate sinning.

But this raises another question. Why do advocates of ordaining open, practicing homosexuals discriminate against heterosexuals who may be living with a partner, not married, and professing that it is right with God to do so?

]Who exactly are you to tell God whom can and cannot be called?

It's what God has told us about whom he will call, not the other way around.

 

[PaladinValer]

Have I a personal problem with it? No.

Do I have an issue with it in terms of what is the official discipline of the Church? Absolutely.

Until Lambeth canons change, there is but only one valid option.

 

[AngCath]

But this raises another question. Why do advocates of ordaining open, practicing homosexuals discriminate against heterosexuals who may be living with a partner, not married, and professing that it is right with God to do so?

because as it stands, homosexuals are not allowed to get married in most places and must simply live together whereas heterosexuals may get married.