no different that Conservative Republicans and Rinos ... a mixed marriage in the Lutheran church is one between a Missouri Synod member and an ELCA member
Don't all synods support the same national organization?
LOL! As a tried and true Mo Lu (LCMS) that is very correct!
There are some very large theological differences between the ELCA and the LCMS also. NYer, the LCMS is much closer theologically to the Roman Catholic (in that we actually HAVE a defined theology) than the ELCA. Biggest difference is on the liturgy, and on how the Bible is viewed. The ELCA basically holds that that Bible is not the inspired word of God, and little things like the commandments and the three creeds can be followed and discarded at whim.
A very good friend was forced to leave an ELCA seminary (which was very "conservative" by the way) because in his basic theology classes they were teaching Zoasterism. IE, there are two opposing powers, one Light and the other Chaos, that created the world etc. Also, abortions are covered in the ELCA health plan for the womyn priestesses.