Recent E-Mails Received About the
Homosexual Crisis in the Church of the Brethren
From Indiana (posted 12/19/2002)
As I read various comments from folks in the new "VOS
movement", and note with sadness that even the choice of the name, "Voices
for an OPEN Spirit" is undoubtedly chosen for a specific political reason
- - that is, to suggest that all who see the holy scripture as the governing
foundation for living are somehow NOT "open" - - and as I see the statements
of some who would claim a need for the scripture to become a declining
influence on Brethren thought and doctrine, I can only reiterate what I
have already said.
A sad but necessary separation of ways is going to occur
within the Church of the Brethren. It is now inevitable, in my opinion,
and though I am not claiming to be speaking with any prophetic Voice here,
I can read the handwriting on the wall pretty well. The basic issue
is scriptural authority. And that issue is one over which a separation
of ways may very well be the better way. There are issues, after
all, over which it is necessary and worthwhile to "flee even the appearance
of evil."
From Colorado (posted 12/10/2002)
I was appalled at Conference by the half baked and simplistic
ideas on human sexuality and by the use of an out of context sound bite
from the Book of Romans. I am also upset that individuals on both
sides of the issue are determined to "win" their position without any willingness
to grow in the knowledge of what God wants. The answer is transcendent
from where we all are.
In Romans, Paul is not so much condemning the worshipper
of rocks or the person engaging in homosuxual practice as he is saying
that culture arbitrates reality and tells us to ignore and even violate
the verities of nature. Certainly, war, promiscuity, adultery and
a host of sins are blessed by culture Greek and modern and are contrary
to natural law.
From Indiana (posted 11/08/2002)
I am a chronic overeater, and I confess that sin to my
brothers and sisters, often. Indeed. . . it really isn't necessary
for me to say it out loud, my body confesses it!
BUT. . . I have yet to ask my brothers and sisters to
validate my sin, I have not asked anyone to tell me that it's "OK with
God" that I am involved in the sin of gluttony. I fully recognize,
even as I succumb to my "addiction," that God has named gluttony as one
of the sins of the flesh that He despises, and I acknowledge that Christ,
and Christ only, saves me in SPITE of my sin. Many who will read
this could, I am sure, speak of a similar experience with some kind of
sin in their own lives.
Our homosexual brothers and sisters are trying to accomplish
something that they simply cannot do. They are asking God to "redefine"
sin on their behalf. "Validate ME," they ask. "Tell ME that
my 'condition' is not sin. . .Help ME feel good about myself. . .."
But God does not take my gluttony lightly. (Nor
do I, believe me, and I am constantly aware that when I overeat, I commit
sin.) I do not ask God to change His mind about it; I DO ask
Him to assist me in changing MY living!!
AND, of course, God does not take the sin of homosexuality
lightly, either. But our homosexual friends want Him to start.
They want to convince the Living God, and His church, that their sin is
different. . . it, among all things mentioned by the scriptures as being
displeasing to God, should be redefined as an "alternative" to other styles
of living.
What it comes down to, I believe, is "feeling."
If my life "feels good" to me, then surely God must not dislike THAT!!
But God has clearly spoken; gluttony is not acceptable. And
neither is the active homosexual lifestyle. And through it all, God
continues to say: "I AM the Lord thy God; I change not."
The church needs to remember that.
From Indiana (posted 11/4/2002)
It is clear to me that the issue of ACTIVE homosexuals
in the licensed and / or ordained clergy wil eventually cause yet another
"split" in the COB. I am beginning to believe that this may be as
it should be - there are some issues, some aspects of belief, for which
a separation from the evil is the only answer. And the fact is, we
are confronting evil. We don't speak much, as Brethren, about "evil"
in the church, but when it does appear, we need to be ready to deal decisively
with its presence. And perhaps the best way to deal with it, in this
case, will eventually be to flee from it.
From Pennsylvania:
If Annual Conference and the delegate body is supposed
to be the governing voice of our Brotherhood, then why do we have all of
this behind the scenes counter activity with no rebuke or punishment? I
do not believe that this rebellion and just plain ignoring what is supposed
to be the moral high ground and the position of our denomination should
be condoned. This plague has been spreading for twenty years because no
one in our leadership had the courage and the God fearing fortitude to
put a stop to the sabotage before it became a formal position. We need
some Godly leadership in this Brotherhood if it is going to survive. Without
this need being met, the denomination will be driven to destruction. If
the members and the districts do not have to abide by Annual Conference
decisions and nothing is going to be done to enforce Annual Conference
decisions, then what is the point making those decisions and establishing
positions? It should not be up to each district to decide if they will
or will not condone homosexuality. This undoes everything that was supposed
to be accomplished at the annual meeting. Where is the accountability?
Is there any real authority? This sad saga goes to show how sick
the Church of the Brethren at large really is. I am glad the Lord is observing
and evaluating us on an individual basis and not as a Brotherhood collectively.