Lutherans Debate Policy on Gay Couples

[sabra]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-5202136,00.html

Lutherans Debate Policy on Gay Couples

AP Religion Writer

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - In a convention meeting room filled to capacity, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America debated what direction their denomination should take in the struggle over ordaining gays and blessing same-sex couples.

The emotional public hearing Tuesday night aimed to prepare delegates at a national assembly for a vote on the issue later this week.

The Rev. Robert Goldstein, a gay minister at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chicago, wore a rainbow sash around his cleric's collar as he urged delegates to ``go beyond the justice of incrementalism'' and remove all limits on gay leadership in the denomination.

``I'm a gay pastor in this church. I serve faithfully. I love it,'' he said. ``Our church must go beyond institutionalizing fear.''

[ClintonTyree]

1. Being a confirmed yet non-practicing Lutheran.............

I hope they can allow sanity to prevail over bigotry. There's always a conservative faction of every religious denomination that refuses to evolve though, so I'm not getting my hopes high.

I gave up on religion long ago, so it's really not that important to me, but to G and L Lutherans (and I know quite a few who remain within the Church) I hope they finally are afforded the same treatment as everyone else.

[William769]

2. Being a confirmed and practicing Lutheran

I have put all my faith in the Lutheran Church. If they go back to the teachings of Martin Luther they will come up with the right decision.