Comments on: Episcopal bishops OK prayer for gay couples

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:07:37 +0000

My understanding is that this is same-sex marriage. The Anglican church in Canada has the same thing. They bless same-sex marriages and refer to the partners as “spouses.” It’s marriage equality at the church level.

This raises an encouraging possibility: the Episcopal church can sue the government for religious freedom. By refusing to recognise and provide equal benefits for same-sex marriages, the government is preventing the Episcopal Church from practicing its faith. Church ministers cannot provide the “generous pastoral response” that they believe God calls them to provide.

Of course, other denominations can make the same argument: the UCC, the Quakers, the Unitarian Universalists, the Reformed and Conservative Jews, and so on. It’s basically the argument that won marriage equality in Canada.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:35:22 +0000

This is great news, especially since they risked so much to make this happen. First, gay ministers and now gay unions! This vote makes a big difference coming from a 2+ million member mainstream denomination.

The margin of the vote was so large, I think we’ll be seeing more pro-LGBT decisions from the Episcopal church in the future. The Episcopalians could be the next UCC, and twice as large at that. I think it’s a really good thing that the conservatives left. I may not be an official member, but today, I’m an Episcopalian

By: Steve from Vermont (the equality state)

Steve from Vermont (the equality state) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:20:34 +0000

All 50 states should allow CIVIL MARRIAGE “any two (2) adult persons to marry”

I want CIVIL MARRIAGE – NOT RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Religious groups do not have to be forced to perform them.

By: Jean Ihenry

Jean Ihenry — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:37:57 +0000

Blessing of same-gender relationships is not nearly the same as performing gay marriages in the church.

By: Jean Ihenry

Jean Ihenry — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:35:33 +0000

They still aren’t talking about allowing gay marriages in the church. At the end of the day, they are still Christians and don’t want to fully accept gays in the church.

By: RVS

RVS — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:36:14 +0000

I am very proud to be an Episcopalian and am on the local governing body or our church and am openly gay, with my partner of 12 years. The Diocese of Mississippi (yes, Mississippi!) hosts an annual Inclusion conference at our conference center near Jackson, MS led by Gay clergy from around the country. It is a major highlight each year for the both of us and we have made some truly wonderful friends as a result. Anyone in North MS (aka: south, south Memphis) should seriously consider joining our very active, very vibrant and very accepting congregation. When I told my preist, years ago, that I was gay his response to me was, and I quote: “So?” “I have a meeting to get to, are we done here?” It was a pivotal moment in my life, so thank you Father Renea! And thank you to the couragous Episcopal church were we believe in Tradition, Scripture and Reason (and the words are not prescribed any specific order, for a very good reason).

By: Bama-Stu

Bama-Stu — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:07:35 +0000

Bob – I don’t know where you live, but here in Southeast Alabama, we have three Episcopal Churches in a 25 mile radius. Each is fully solvent, and has many, many members. If fact, membership continues to grow.
There are also many gay and lesbian members at all three churches as the Church’s openess to LGBT people has made them a “beacon of light,” especially living in a place where there is a Baptist or “independent” church on what seems like every corner.
I urge every LGBT Christian who has ever considered going to Church to visit your local Episcopal Church just to see how it is. One word of warning – make sure you visit the Episcopal Church, and not an Anglican Church (the breakaway conservatives).

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:26:48 +0000

Bravo to those Anglican/Episcopal bishops who put common sense and compassion ahead of the barbaric philosophy of the third-world bishops who are steeped in the most insidious form of ignorance and backwardness. Civilization has taken another step forward.

By: Bob Sees

Bob Sees — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:04:41 +0000

The sad thing is, the reason they’re doing this is to attract gays and liberals- both of which are beggining to overtake the old-fashioned and outdated social conservatives, at least in America.
The Episcopalian church is slowly but very surely dying. The local Episcopalian church had 200+ members just 5 years ago. This year it has 9.

I’d love to join, because I grew up Catholic and loved everything about it except for the whole anti-gay policy, but something tells me they are rapidly headed towards insignificance unless a bunch of us decide to convert. Depressing, since this could’ve had an enourmous impact if they did this even 5 years ago.

By: 00HaveAniceDay00

00HaveAniceDay00 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:23:52 +0000

It takes courage to do the right thing, especially when faced with so much opposition , i applaud this church and the bishops who voted 104-30 at the Episcopal General Convention to “collect and develop theological resources and liturgies” for blessing same-gender relationships