The final presbytery in the Presbyterian Church USA has voted, and the amendment to permit the ordination of openly gay persons has been defeated—for now. The margin spread was only two percentage points: 51% to 49%. This is the third time the amendment has been put to a vote, and in this election thirty-four presbyteries changed their votes from previously negative to affirmative. Thirty-four of seventy-eight positive votes!
The Detroit presbytery has already put forth the question to be addressed in the 2010 General Assembly, and the vote will be put to the presbyteries in 2011. It will pass. It will pass because supporters are already being marshaled and organized for education and conversation. This is one more step in the groundswell of support that I believe will lead to marriage equality on a federal level.
It is my fervent wish that the civil victory that is imminent will become a spiritual victory as well, however more slowly accomplished. The church will ultimately learn the expression of God’s grace through unconditional acceptance. I pray that I will live to see it.
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4 comments:
This battle seems to go up and down, back and forth....over and over at a head-spinning pace. I'm so happy that you're one voice for equality is this nutty world.
Hmm, I might try going back to church. Although in this town I'm not sure things will be so friendly.
I hope I live to see it too.
I have the comfort in the hope it all will eventually happen. It takes so long to change a culture, but it can happen.
i get very pumped up, with states adding marriage inclusion what seems like almost weekly.
then i read stupid blog sites or facebook pages DEVOTED to "protecting the sanctity of marriage", and i get bummed out all over again...realizing how many homophobic or just plain uninformed or stupid people there are in this world. i especially like the ones who say, "i have a good friend/family member who is gay and they *support* how i feel about protecting marriage." they DO? why?
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