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EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA'S

BELIEFS AND POLICIES CONCERNING HOMOSEXUALITY

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Overview:

In the few very liberal Christian denominations, like the United Church of Christ in the U.S. and the United Church of Canada in Canada, there is relatively little discussion of equal rights for gays and lesbians, of the blessing or marriage of same-sex couples, and of the ordination of candidates for the ministry who are in loving, committed same-sex relationships. These matters have largely been settled in favor of equality for all.

There is also little discussion in Fundamentalist and other Evangelical denominations, because the topics have yet to be engaged by pro-equality and anti-equality groups.

It is the mainline-liberal denominations, like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) where debate is now at a fever pitch, pitting the denomination's liberals and conservatives against each other in an effort to reach a consensus.

The only potential compromise appears to be a form of local option in which individual synods or congregations decide whether or not to bless same-sex relationships and/or consider gay candidates for ordination who are in committed same-sex relationship. This compromise currently appears to be unacceptable to both sides. There is a some discussion that a schism in the denomination is possible.

Topics covered in this section:

Copyright © 1998 to 2005 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2005-AUG-20
Author: B.A. Robinson