ELCA Churchwide Assembly - 2nd Update

Debate has begun on the proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality and as expected Neanderthal elements within the ELCA want the whole endeavor discarded and are retreating to their only real anti-gay argument: a few selected passages in the Bible. Employing this rational, of course, slavery is justifiable since slaves are told to obey their masters in the Bible and the slaughter of whole cities is cheered in portions of the Old Testament. Outdated bigotry and discrimination is easy to ignore when you are not the one who is being marginalized and stigmatized. Sadly, one representative from the Virginia Synod displayed the backward thinking that is all to common in the Commonwealth of Virginia where many continue to embrace a 19th century mindset regardless of advances in science and knowledge. I continue to hope that rational, modern thinking will prevail, but I am not holding my breath. In my experience, those who think themselves the most godly are frequently the worse when it comes to living the gospel message of loving others. Here are a few news highlights:

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Speakers opposing the social statement on human sexuality facing the Evangelical Church in America said they believed that endorsing the document would abandon the church’s reliance on the Bible and separate the Lutheran denomination from the majority of Christendom. But those favoring the document to be voted on later this week insisted that a greater acceptance of gays and lesbians in the church and its ministry is consistent with the command to care for one’s neighbor and to build trusting relationships. Comments made by the voting members of the churchwide assembly opened a one-hour discussion Aug. 18 on the proposed social statement on human sexuality to be considered later this week.

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Dr. Robert Benne, of the ELCA Virginia Synod said the whole project should be abandoned. “Call off the voting on the social statement on sexuality which will dramatically change our teaching on sexuality, from having teachings to having no teachings at all,” said Benne, the first of nearly 30 speakers to approach the microphones when the assembly met as a “committee of the whole” to discuss, but not formally amend the 10,000 word statement. Benne was one of several opponents contending that accepting gays and lesbians lacks biblical support. “This is God’s law and we cannot change it,” said Roy Gibbs of the Northwestern Ohio Synod. “Everyone of us here today knows what is right and what is wrong. Our father has written it on our hearts and on our minds.”

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Proponents of the statement say the clearly negative views of homosexuality do not deal with the kind of faithful, committed same sex relationships addressed in the proposed social statement. And referring to the statement’s concern for the exploitation of sexuality in society, McDivitt said the document “calls us to confront a demonic culture that destroys people and exploits the use of sexuality.” Y.T. Chiu described himself as a “former homophobe” who, encouraged by his pastor to look at the ELCA documents, changed his mind about the issue. “Change is good; being a rebel is not bad,” said Chiu, Northeastern Ohio Synod.