wfn.org | Parade of witnesses speak out on same-sex unions

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>]

Note #5991 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

GA00045
June 26, 2000

Parade of witnesses speak out on same-sex unions

	Two hours of hearings equally divided on the issue

	by Jerry L. Van Marter

LONG BEACH, June 26–For more than two hours today, the Assembly Committee on
Physical and Spiritual Well Being witnessed first hand the division in the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) over the issue of same-sex unions.

	Speakers during the committee’s open hearings alternately praised same-sex
union ceremonies as necessary for the pastoral care of Presbyterian members
and condemned them as affirming a lifestyle the Bible condemns.

	At issue are three overtures (00-12, 00-26 and 00-54) which seek to amend
the “Book of Order” of the PC(USA) to flatly prohibit same-sex unions in the
denomination.  The “Book of Order” is currently silent on the specific issue
of same-sex unions, though it defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

	“It seems clear that the agenda of gay and lesbian sympathizers is to
convince the mainline churches that homosexuality is an inborn condition and
thus is okay,” argued the Rev. Laura Grace Eisenhower, a retired minister
from Grand Canyon Presbytery.  “Honest research finds no claim that
homosexuality is genetic,” she said in support of the overtures.

	Cleveland Evans, a college professor from Belleville, Ill., countered that
his research shows that successful same-sex relationships are marked by the
same characteristics of love and commitment as heterosexual relationships.

	Jack Sharp of Carlisle Presbytery called same-sex unions “counterfeits.” 
God created marriage, he said, “and we cannot bless what God has not
blessed.”

	Al Fraymayer, an elder from Tampa Bay Presbytery, said he represented “a
generation of parents and grandparents who love our kids – gay or straight”
and want to see the church affirm “all commitments to loving relationships.”

	Rob Gentry, an elder from Anderson, S.C., said the issue is fear.  “Fear is
the opposite of faith and love and has spawned wars and inquisitions,” he
said.  “I ask you to examine your fears and choose faith – homosexuals are
beloved children of God.”

	But blessing same-sex unions denies the transforming power of the gospel,
said the Rev. Tim Fearer of Santa Barbara Presbytery.  “Change and
transformation is the heart of Christianity,” he said, “and to bless a
same-sex union is to say to homosexuals, ‘There is no hope for you to change
or be transformed.’”

	The committee is scheduled to debate and vote on the overtures Tuesday
afternoon.

	

	

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