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."

[longtermmemmory]

The real issue here is also a scientific question. Her answer assumes her fetish is immutable. She has selected defining herself as a woman who has conditioned herself to achieve orgasms with another woman.

HOWEVER since this is a religious court, so to speak, does the Methodist interpritation of teachings take the perspective of immutability, conditioning, or choice? It would seem "go forth and sin no more" would indicate a notion of mutability to sinful behaviors.

Ultimatly as in other courts, it may boil down to what the judges feeeeeeeeeeeel they need to do.

[Hi Heels]

To me it's cut and dry. God says no. It's no. She isn't seeking forgiveness. She's trying to justify sinful actions. God says no. It's no.

[Hi Heels]

Depends on which pair of the 253 pairs of shoes I own are on my feet. And that depends on which pair I can locate in my daughter's room (same shoe size).

Today, they are *looks down* three inches.

Boots. It's FREEZING in California. I think it's down to nearly 64 degrees. Wore a trenchcoat and gloves, too.

[hunter112]

One thing I've definitely noticed, even here in rural timber-town Washington, practically every United Methodist Church has a woman pastor. Perhaps they strongly encourage this.

[Rytwyng]

do Methodists allow recovering alcoholics to serve?

Probably. But the key word is RECOVERING. Not actively practicing or promoting.

[george wythe]

this makes a whole hell of lotta sense. 'Whatta sham

The way I read the article, the following conclusions are warranted:

If the lesbian pastor lies about having a same-sex partner, she cannot be removed.

The Methodist church operates on the honor system; the church does not investigate pastor's private lives.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

You asked whether the Methodists allow an openly unrepentant sinner to be clergy.

My point is that your asking in the wrong direction. It ain't up to the Methodists, you should inquire of the source...God (Scripture). 1 Timothy is a good start.

[viaveritasvita]

Just give me Jesus.

<><

Thank you God for steering me clear of yet another bunch of fakes!!

[Warrior Nurse]

See Matthew 15:9

[SaveTheChief]

Apparently her congregation approves of her lifestyle, otherwise she would have no congregation

[Hi Heels]

Doesn't say whether her congregation has grown or shrunk as a result of this revelation. There appears to be other pastors involved in the congregation as well.

I'm very surprised that they are even considering this. Sex outside of marriage is bad enough, but this is just ridiculous. And to sanctify it with a collar is blasphemy IMHO.

hahaha.... Egads, my congregation would have pitchforks and torches.... I'd be a dead woman. Badly tortured before I died.

[jrestrepo]

You are correct. However, since there are denominations, each denomination sets their own rules. (That is why I am no real fan of denominations.) If the denomination is going to judge it's own, then it has to follow consistent rules. That is my point.

An openly unrepentant thief should not be allowed to be clergy either. Part of the problem is when people try to imply that homosexuality is an unforgivable sin. Sin is sin is sin, except the rejection of Christ. That is the only unforgivable sin.

I am a Christian, I claim no denomination.

[SaveTheChief]

All I can say is that if this had been my congregation, I would have been long gone before this story hit the news, and completely disillusioned about that particular church.

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping.

Is the entire Methodist Church "gay" friendly, or just some of them here and there?

I know that women can be just as close to God as men (actually, I suspect there are more women who walk with Him than men, sometimes...) but ever since "women preachers" got popular it just seems that so many are homosexuals.

Am I wrong?

Let me and ItsOurTimeNow know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.

[Agitate]

I know that women can be just as close to God as men (actually, I suspect there are more women who walk with Him than men, sometimes...) but ever since "women preachers" got popular it just seems that so many are homosexuals.

Am I wrong?

Well I hope so because I'd hate to think that women, misguided or not, opened the door for this. But I don't think that's the case. This is just another part of their agenda, to get everyone's stamp of approval, even the church, while they ignore the OBVIOUS teaching of scripture.

We had a homosexual pastor at our Episcopal church who was exposed when he started touching the alter boys. He tried it with a high school athelete who punched him in the mouth, and it all broke loose.

He wouldn't step down and there was a huge fight in the church. We left the church in 1991 for many reasons, that being the last straw. I now wonder just how long the Episcopal church has been infiltrated by these people.

---

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ANTI-Cair -- Little Green Footballs -- JIHAD Watch -- DHIMMI Watch -- internet haganáh -- FaithFreedom -- Answering Islam -- Daniel Pipes -- Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) -- MEMRI TV-Videos

[little jeremiah]

AFAIK, the homosexual infiltration of various churches has been equal opportunity regarding men and women. Seems a lot of men went into the priesthood, both Catholic and Episcopalian, and women into denominations that allowed women as ministers.

Of course, it's not only religious organizations that they've infiltrated with the view to dominate and influence.

[JesseHousman]

By saying she has not betrayed the trust compounds her guilt.

Homosexuals belong kneeling at the altars and begging God's forgiveness for their perverted, sinful past and vowing to repent. They do not belong prancing about an altar as a model to be followed by any congregation, unless it is one that exclusively worships satan.