Lesbian pastor defends ministry at trial ['Gimme that Dem-style religion!]

Associated Press ^ | December 2, 2004 | By Richard N. Ostling

[johnny7]

PUGHTOWN, PA. -- Facing the possible loss of her Methodist clergy credentials, the Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud freely told a church court yesterday that she lives with her lesbian partner but refused to plead guilty to violating the denomination's ban on gay clerics. ''For me to plead guilty would be to say I violated the sacred trust of an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church," Stroud said. ''I believe I have not violated that trust."

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

"do Methodists allow [insert various overt, public sins here] to serve?"

American Christianity at its best! The amount of people in the US that "just don't get it" is astounding.

That may sting you jrestrepo but you are just living up to the American cultural concept of The Church.

[gcraig]

I do not know, but do Methodists allow recovering alcoholics to serve?

Did you pose this question to establish moral equivalency? Did you write this to divert attention from the issue of homosexuality in the church? Homosexuality is one of the most dangerous influences on children that I can think of. The Methodist church must remove this woman from her position to send a clear message that this behavior is unacceptable.

[1stFreedom]

>>predisposed

I think this may be more true of men than of women...

But I think only a very small percentage of men who live that lifestyle are actually "predisposed" ...

[stompk]

"Actually, I think that technically she might be correct. I see gays/lesbians like being an alcoholic. They are predisposed to a particular inclination (same sex attraction) which can be controlled, but since society has approved homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle, then they choose not to control it. Alcoholics are inclined to drink excessively, so the ones in recovery choose to not drink any more, even though they still want it. I do not know, but do Methodists allow recovering alcoholics to serve?"

she lives with her "partner" in this example. as a parallel we would have a confirmed, but recovering alcoholic no longer drinking, but still proudly displaying her liquor at home.

would you trust an alcoholic in this situation ? /grin

[sausageseller]

She is a practicing lesbian therefore your analogy is wrong because is no "recovering" on her part.

[jrestrepo]

Prove me wrong.

A sin is a sin is a sin.

[jrestrepo]

That is a completely different question. I was just addressing it from the homosexual/celibacy respective.

[jrestrepo]

You are right, she is not in recovery.

The consumption is not evil and homosexuality is not evil, but it is a sin. Drunkenness is not evil, but it is a sin.

[jrestrepo]

You lost me. Please elaborate, I do not know get your comment.

[Warrior Nurse]

I think it's an indication of a deeper problem that scriptural teachings of the bible are being ignored.

[jrestrepo]

Wow.

So many people seem to have forgotten grace.

A sin is a sin is a sin. In God's eyes "cheating on taxes" murder. There are no degrees, man set those up. The only exception is the rejection of Christ.

Homosexuality is wrong, no question.

I do not disagree that the Methodist Church should remove her either, I am just expressing my views.

[jrestrepo]

I agree. Sex is a stronger drive in men, and such easier to pervert by the evil one.

Not all alcoholics are predisposed to drinking either (or drug use for that matter).

[jrestrepo]

If she is living with her partner (which I did not realize), then I also think she may need to add 'lying' and 'denial' to her list of issues.

Real recovering alcoholics know that they cannot expose themselves to ANY temptation.

[jrestrepo]

My analogy is not incorrect. If one is celibate, then they are not practicing. If they are NOT celibate, then they are practicing.

[jrestrepo]

No argument at all. These people are living in sin.

I really think that if people would stop thinking that homosexuality is a lifestyle and would recognize it in the same vein as someone with an addictive personality, then the people would change.

I know of examples where people were homosexual, became Christians, and were wisely counseled by clergy, they went into recovery after understanding their addiciton.

[Hi Heels]

Yah. Wondering what her congregation thinks about all this........

[MississippiMan]

Wow... so it's an addiction-thing?

Actually, that's not quite what he said, and my own belief closely tracks what he's saying if I understand him correctly. Different people are born with different tendencies and predispositions. Maybe one guy is born with a horrible temper. Another may have poor impulse control. Many men have an inherent aversion to monogamy. The bottom line is that we are all born into a natural state of sin. And a homosexual attraction may be one of these.

The key, however, is that people of character, people who want to do right and follow God's will, DEAL WITH and OVERCOME these built-in weaknesses, these built-in tendencies to sin. Now, a small but very vocal minority of Americans have decided that not only should it be okay to yield to homosexual urges, but the rest of us need to celebrate, encourage, and embrace it.

No, I don't buy the "born homosexual" argument. Homosexuality is an ACT, a CHOICE, not something you're born with. Maybe some are predisposed to it, but we as civilized people should resist our harmful predispositions.

I do not for one moment agree that this woman should be allowed to head up a church. No way. A pastor needs to be a Godly person who leads by example; not perfect, but someone who at least strives to be like Christ. And when a person cannot do that, they should quickly remove themselves to avoid the blemish on the whole.

MM

[hosepipe]

( Lesbian pastor defends ministry at trial ['Gimme that Dem-style religion!] )

LoL.....(am picturing this event)
Would be Like; Richard Simmons in a chicken suit, lecturing haut coture designers on new trends in the fashion industry and at the end of his speech removes his glasses(made for chicken head) with a serious demeanor, like a lawyer.
AND NOBODY LAUGHS...

Religion in the U.S. is WAaaaaaY out there.. I'm tellin ya..

[Hi Heels]

Bottom line: You cannot change or reinterpret God's laws to fit into your lifestyle. It's the other way around. There is only one law. God's. And it's in the book. If you can't follow it, I suggest counseling.

There are very special "rewards" for false pastors...that's in there, too.

[johnny7]

How hi... are your heels?