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Presbyterian Panel survey:
Most Presbyterians oppose same-sex unions
Meanwhile, with 73 percent of vote in,
Amendment O trails, 53-74
[Comments on this survey
are offered by Doug Nave and Barbara
Kellam-Scott.]
by Jerry L. Van Marter, Presbyterian News Service
[published here 3-8-01]
LOUISVILLE -- March 2, 2001 -- Though
a constitutional amendment expressly prohibiting same-sex union
ceremonies in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is trailing in voting by the
denomination's 173 presbyteries, a recent Presbyterian Panel poll
indicates that a majority of Presbyterians favors such a ban.
The statistically valid poll of church members,
elders, pastors and specialized clergy (ordained ministers not serving
congregations), conducted last August by the PC(USA)'s Research Services
office, found that 57 percent of members, 61 percent of elders, 50
percent of pastors and 30 percent of specialized clergy agree that
"Presbyterian ministers should be prohibited from performing a
ceremony that blesses the union between two people of the same
sex."
Similar majorities -- 67 percent of members, 66
percent of elders and 53 percent of pastors -- along with one-third of
specialized clergy, agree that same-sex union ceremonies should not take
place in Presbyterian churches.
Unofficial tallies of the presbyteries' votes on
Amendment O -- the commonly-called "same sex unions" amendment
-- show the measure trailing by a vote of 53 in favor and 74 opposed, a
pattern that would spell defeat for the amendment if it continues.
Eighty-seven votes either way are needed to decide the fate of the
measure.
Presbytery debates indicate that the discrepancy
between the poll results and voting patterns may have to do with the
wording of the proposed amendment, which does not mention "same-sex
unions."
It would add a new section, W-4.9007, to The Book
of Order: "Scripture and our Confessions teach that God's
intention for all people is to live either in fidelity within the
covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or in chastity in
singleness. Church property shall not be used for, and church
officers shall not take part in conducting, any ceremony or event that
pronounces blessing or gives approval of the church or invokes the
blessing of God upon any relationship that is inconsistent with God's
intention as expressed in the preceding sentence."
Twenty-two presbyteries that in 1996-'97 voted for
Amendment B -- now G-60106b of The Book of
Order, which established "fidelity in marriage between a man
and a woman or chastity in singleness" as the sexual standard for
ordination -- have voted against Amendment O.
Opponents of the measure argue that it is so vaguely
worded as to possibly proscribe other ceremonies, such as baptisms,
funerals and the Lord's Supper for same sex couples; that it is
unnecessary because The Book of Order already defines marriage
as between a man and a woman; and that it unduly infringes upon the
pastoral responsibilities of pastors and sessions.
Proponents argue that a Permanent Judicial
Commission's decision last spring that same-sex union ceremonies are
allowable in the PC(USA) "as long as they are not considered the
same as marriage ceremonies" has created a loophole in The Book
of Order that must be closed.
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch
Seminar!
GHOST RANCH SEMINAR
July 26-August 1, 2010
WE’RE ALL IN
THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE |
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here,
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