Well the Presbyterian Church is finally getting around to marriage (see article on the marriage committee). Obviously, the unspoken context of the discussion is gay marriage. And I say, it's about time.
The progressives have always had it backwards -- strongly advocating for the ordination of a few gay activists before pressing for gay marriage for thousands. Gay marriage has always been a goal. (See the Covenant Network website, Jeffery Siker article.) Why hasn't it been the primary goal? Gay ordination would fall into place should gay marriage be blessed.
Whatever you feel about gay ordination, pro or con, Amendment B should not pass because it creates chaos and confusion.. The ordained gay officer and their partner would be put in limbo. The candidate, but not the partner, would pledge to presbytery to live, essentially in a marriage relationship. But the church, officially, would not recognize the relationship. This is a mess. The change to local option would also create mayhem and lawsuits as some presbyteries would reject ordained pastors from other presbyteries. Amendment B promotes chaos, confusion and mayhem and this -- and I use this word carefully -- is a sin.
To my traditional allies who oppose Amendment B, I say don't even mention sexual sin in your discussions at presbytery. No one is listening. For too many presbyters the justice/love hermeneutic trumps whatever we might say about Romans 1. Instead speak of the chaos and confusion this Amendment produces. There is no peace and unity with the passing of Amendment B -- just lawsuits, anguish and more division. And to my progressive friends I say, start over and do it right. Scrap the ill-conceived Amendment B and press for gay marriage if you must. Shouldn't this always have been the stated goal? For too long you have put the cart before the horse.
Rev. Paul Strand
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
