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

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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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