"Dr. Blake Nelson" wrote:
>
> As I recall, Epsicopalians still do not ordain
> homosexuals. So they are institutionally less liberal
> than say, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
> which does. But, it depends on your operative
> definition of liberal or conservative and which
> measure you want to use.
Most churches, whether they realize it or not, "ordain
homosexuals". The question is whether or not they do it (a) knowingly &
(b) with the expectation that they will refrain from homosexual
activity. In some dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the USA persons
who understand themselves to be homosexual will be ordained without the
latter expectation. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America such
persons who are ordained are expected - at least officially - to refrain
from homosexual activity. This may change - we have a major study of
the whole issue in process - but for the time being that is the policy.
Shalom,
George
(ELCA pastor serving as an associate in an Episcopal
Parish)
George L. Murphy
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
"The Science-Theology Interface"
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