Lutherans to allow gay clergy: Knoxville responds

Gay people are God's children also.

Pure simple fact.

Rational Thought wrote:

Gay people are God's children also.
Pure simple fact.

No they are not. They forget the parts of God's word that talk about those who will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God...idolators, murderers, HOMOSEXUALS...

Good people die and go to hell every day. Next we will have child molestors and beastial morons in the clergy. We bend the Bible around to fit OUR thoughts and lives. It doesn't bend. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Jesus said, "If you love me, you keep my commandments." Practicing gay acts doesn't qualify. If you are not for God, you are an enemy of God. It's tough, but true. If they need a religion to justify what they do, then choose one that doesn't have to be "bent" to fit their lifestyle CHOICE!

Rational Thought wrote:

Gay people are God's children also.
Pure simple fact.

That's too rational for most Americans to accept.

Common Sense wrote:

<quoted text>No they are not. They forget the parts of God's word that talk about those who will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God...idolators, murderers, HOMOSEXUALS...
Good people die and go to hell every day. Next we will have child molestors and beastial morons in the clergy. We bend the Bible around to fit OUR thoughts and lives. It doesn't bend. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Jesus said, "If you love me, you keep my commandments." Practicing gay acts doesn't qualify. If you are not for God, you are an enemy of God. It's tough, but true. If they need a religion to justify what they do, then choose one that doesn't have to be "bent" to fit their lifestyle CHOICE!

Go smoke a snake!

Cursed are those who give the name of good to evil, and of evil to what is good: who make light dark, and dark light: who make bitter sweet, and sweet bitter!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 21, 2009

Contact: Joel Hochmuth
Director of Communications
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
joel.hochmuth@wels.net

WELS president expresses regret at ELCA decision on gay clergy

Milwaukee, Wis.—Rev. Mark Schroeder, president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), is expressing regret at the vote of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) convention regarding homosexual clergy. Friday, delegates approved a resolution committing the church to find a way for “people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships” to serve as professional leaders of the church.

“To view same-sex relationships as acceptable to God is to place cultural viewpoint and human opinions above the clear Word of God,” says Schroeder.“The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, along with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and other smaller Lutheran synods, maintains and upholds the clear teaching of the Bible that homosexuality is not in keeping with God’s design and is sinful in God’s eyes.”

At the same time, Schroeder says WELS congregations stand ready to support those struggling with same-sex attractions.“As with any sin, it is the church’s responsibility to show love and compassion to sinners, not by condoning or justifying the sin, but by calling the sinner to repent and by assuring the sinner that there is full forgiveness in Jesus Christ,” Schroeder says.

WELS, with about 390,000 members and nearly 1,300 congregations nationwide, is the third largest Lutheran church body in the United States. In Wisconsin alone, there are more than 201,000 members and 417 congregations.“It’s unfortunate that many headlines have referred to the recent decisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as something ‘Lutherans’ have decided,” Schroeder says.“In fact, the ELCA is only one of many Lutheran denominations. We are saddened that a group with the name Lutheran would take another decisive step away from the clear teaching of the Bible, which was the foundation of the Lutheran Reformation.”

Schroeder says that WELS is firmly committed to upholding God’s design for marriage as outlined in Scripture—a design intended for one man and one woman.“We believe, and the Bible teaches, that God designed this relationship to be a blessing for men and women and for society. Any departure from what God himself has designed does two things: it denies the clear teachings of Scriptures and it undermines God’s desire that the man/woman relationship in marriage be a blessing.”

Love the sinner, not the sin. The humans who have this sin problem need love and instruction to "take care of business" in a way which honors God. The church, for teaching what the Bible plainly condemns, deserves a rebuke. For people who belong to this particular church, there are many Biblically Based Christian churches who proclaim the clear and uncompromised gospel. Please seek one out and leave the church of Sodom.

Common Sense wrote:

<quoted text>No they are not. They forget the parts of God's word that talk about those who will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God...idolators, murderers, HOMOSEXUALS...
Good people die and go to hell every day. Next we will have child molestors and beastial morons in the clergy. We bend the Bible around to fit OUR thoughts and lives. It doesn't bend. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Jesus said, "If you love me, you keep my commandments." Practicing gay acts doesn't qualify. If you are not for God, you are an enemy of God. It's tough, but true. If they need a religion to justify what they do, then choose one that doesn't have to be "bent" to fit their lifestyle CHOICE!

Which Commandment are you talking about? Love thy neighbor?

Greg Parker wrote:

Love the sinner, not the sin. The humans who have this sin problem need love and instruction to "take care of business" in a way which honors God. The church, for teaching what the Bible plainly condemns, deserves a rebuke. For people who belong to this particular church, there are many Biblically Based Christian churches who proclaim the clear and uncompromised gospel. Please seek one out and leave the church of Sodom.

The church...for teaching God's message of love for all...deserves an applause.

Luttrell wrote:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 21, 2009
Contact: Joel Hochmuth
Director of Communications
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
joel.hochmuth@wels.net
WELS president expresses regret at ELCA decision on gay clergy
Milwaukee, Wis.—Rev. Mark Schroeder, president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), is expressing regret at the vote of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) convention regarding homosexual clergy. Friday, delegates approved a resolution committing the church to find a way for “people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships” to serve as professional leaders of the church.
“To view same-sex relationships as acceptable to God is to place cultural viewpoint and human opinions above the clear Word of God,” says Schroeder.“The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, along with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and other smaller Lutheran synods, maintains and upholds the clear teaching of the Bible that homosexuality is not in keeping with God’s design and is sinful in God’s eyes.”
At the same time, Schroeder says WELS congregations stand ready to support those struggling with same-sex attractions.“As with any sin, it is the church’s responsibility to show love and compassion to sinners, not by condoning or justifying the sin, but by calling the sinner to repent and by assuring the sinner that there is full forgiveness in Jesus Christ,” Schroeder says.
WELS, with about 390,000 members and nearly 1,300 congregations nationwide, is the third largest Lutheran church body in the United States. In Wisconsin alone, there are more than 201,000 members and 417 congregations.“It’s unfortunate that many headlines have referred to the recent decisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as something ‘Lutherans’ have decided,” Schroeder says.“In fact, the ELCA is only one of many Lutheran denominations. We are saddened that a group with the name Lutheran would take another decisive step away from the clear teaching of the Bible, which was the foundation of the Lutheran Reformation.”
Schroeder says that WELS is firmly committed to upholding God’s design for marriage as outlined in Scripture—a design intended for one man and one woman.“We believe, and the Bible teaches, that God designed this relationship to be a blessing for men and women and for society. Any departure from what God himself has designed does two things: it denies the clear teachings of Scriptures and it undermines God’s desire that the man/woman relationship in marriage be a blessing.”

Regarding the last paragraph, how can he, or anyone, say that God ordained marriage is a 1 man, 1 woman institution only, when the Jews of biblical times, and MOST of their history, were polygamous ?

Where does it say in the bible that marriage is supposed to be monogamous ?

Gay Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
The church...for teaching God's message of love for all...deserves an applause.

***
Love of all does not mean condoning sin. The same is true for straights. Cheating on your spouse is a sin. Love the sinner, not the sin. However, love in this case means to encourage repentance because ultimately it matters most that we surrender our wills to God's will. Biblically, the "behavior in question" is not O.K.

Greg Parker wrote:

<quoted text>
***
Love of all does not mean condoning sin. The same is true for straights. Cheating on your spouse is a sin. Love the sinner, not the sin. However, love in this case means to encourage repentance because ultimately it matters most that we surrender our wills to God's will. Biblically, the "behavior in question" is not O.K.

"Love the sinner, not the sin" is not found in the bible. It is a spurious slogan made up by some nitwit.

Will you love Stalin ? Saddam ? Osama bin Laden ?

Do not love EVIL.

LOVE cats !

:)

(Particularly 3-legged ones that STARE at you. :))

Gay Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
The church...for teaching God's message of love for all...deserves an applause.

All people receive God's love. It is not "if, and, or but". It isn't the job of man/woman to judge. God is still on the throne and He hasn't appointed any human to speak on his behalf. God is a God of love but u certainly won't be finding that love in East TN. Bible belt, oh yeah, love, oh yeah, but if you don't do it "their" way, you are condemned to hellfire and damnation. My God don't work that way.

Greg Parker wrote:

<quoted text>
***
Love of all does not mean condoning sin. The same is true for straights. Cheating on your spouse is a sin. Love the sinner, not the sin. However, love in this case means to encourage repentance because ultimately it matters most that we surrender our wills to God's will. Biblically, the "behavior in question" is not O.K.

If my relationship with God is one of mutual love,and it is, nothing you say can drive a wedge between us. I am God's beloved child.

Gay Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
If my relationship with God is one of mutual love,and it is, nothing you say can drive a wedge between us. I am God's beloved child.

re;hOW CAN YOU BE A GAY MOM.eITHER YOU AINT REALLY GAY WHICH WOULD BE LIVING A LIE OR YOU AINT FOUND gOD WHICH WOULD BE LIVING A LIE ALSO.tHERE WILL BE NO SIN ENTER INTO hEAVEN JUST AS THE BIBLE SAYS.yOU DO AGREE THAT NO SIN SHALL ENTER IN DONT YOU?I DONT THINK YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT LIVING FOR GOD MEANS AND I KNOW THERE WILL BE NO GAYS IN HEAVEN.JUST ASK GOD IF YOU DONT BELIEVE ME.PEACE TO THOSE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR IT.

tnhillbilly wrote:

<quoted text>re;hOW CAN YOU BE A GAY MOM.eITHER YOU AINT REALLY GAY WHICH WOULD BE LIVING A LIE OR YOU AINT FOUND gOD WHICH WOULD BE LIVING A LIE ALSO.tHERE WILL BE NO SIN ENTER INTO hEAVEN JUST AS THE BIBLE SAYS.yOU DO AGREE THAT NO SIN SHALL ENTER IN DONT YOU?I DONT THINK YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT LIVING FOR GOD MEANS AND I KNOW THERE WILL BE NO GAYS IN HEAVEN.JUST ASK GOD IF YOU DONT BELIEVE ME.PEACE TO THOSE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR IT.

So ya have ta b straight to go to heaven. Where da u read that? In the hillbilly Bible?

Where is it written that only straight people go to heaven? In the hillbilly Bible?
And you folks still don't like n***gers in your churches?

God's grace is for everyone. There will always be people who disagree on this subject, so why argue. Besides, people will do whatever they please anyway and no one, not even the church or bible thumpers, can stop them! Choices are a beautiful thing...