2000 to now: Statements on homosexuality:

2000-Summer: Neo-Confederates attempt split of PCA: According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Rev. Steven J. Wilkins, is the "pastor of the Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Monroe, La., and a founder and current board member of the neo-Confederate" League of the South (LOS). The LOS  allegedly attempted to take control of conservative churches in the Southern US -- an act that could lead to a schism within the PCA. Wilkins promotes Christian Reconstructionism (a.k.a. Dominion Theology and Theonomy). This is an extreme, radical Fundamentalist Christian belief system that arose out of conservative Presbyterianism in the early 1970's. They advocate that the U.S. adopt the Mosaic law of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). They are attempting to convert the United States into a theocracy, similar to Afghanistan before the Taliban were overthrown. Leaders of the Reconstructionist movement advocate that the:

"... death penalty be used to punish those guilty of 'apostasy (abandonment of the faith), heresy, blasphemy, witchcraft, astrology, adultery, 'sodomy or homosexuality,' incest, striking a parent, incorrigible juvenile delinquency, and in the case of women, 'unchastity before marriage.'  Non-capital crimes would be sanctioned with whipping, indentured servitude or slavery."

Wilkins has allegedly said that the League's goal is to save America from "paganism" and restore it as "the last bastion of Christendom" (It is not clear to which of the many different meanings of "Paganism" he is referring.) He has allegedly stated that slavery is "perfectly legitimate."  Wilkins had tried to remake the PCA, but allegedly told Christian Renewal in 2000-APR that "the denomination is unreformable." In 2000-AUG, he sponsored a meeting involving 10 churches of the Louisiana Presbytery. They discussed leaving the PCA. The Rev. Kennedy Smartt, moderator of the PCA’s 1998 General Assembly, says that the PCA could lose "25 to 30 churches" pastored by men with "theonomic views." ₂

2001-JUN: PCA comment on PC(USA) resolution: The General Assembly of the larger and more liberal Presbyterian Church (USA) had just passed a resolution which would allow gays and lesbians to be considered for ordination. The resolution was later rejected by a majority of presbyteries. The PCA's news officer, Dominic Aquila, is reported as saying:

"Our concern is for the integrity of Scripture, which clearly gives us guidance for every area of life, including the family and chastity. We believe God has ordained that sexual relationships should be between one man and one woman in the context of marriage, and that neither heterosexual relations outside of marriage, or homosexual relations, are appropriate....We're concerned that one branch of the church would take a position that gives endorsement appearing to be contrary to Scripture."

At the PCA's own General Assembly, about 1,500 delegates were expected to recommit the PCA:

"... to the sanctity of human sexual relationships. It believes God's intent in creation is that male and female are complementary, that the privilege of sexual expression is to be between male and female only, and this expression is to be exclusive in the context of marriage." _3,4

2003-JUN: PCA supports exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage: According to the American Family Association Journal:

"At their General Assembly in June 2003, the PCA used that WCF language in a resolution to reaffirm the denomination’s strong stand for a Biblical view of marriage."

Evangelical Christian groups use terms like "biblical view of marriage" and "traditional marriage" to refer to unions restricted to one man and one woman; i.e. excluding same-sex couples. ₅

	The U. S. Supreme Court’s decision in Lawrence v. Texas which decriminalized consensual, private, homosexual acts by adults.
	Described as "even more abominable" the acceptance of non-celibate homosexuals who were in committed relationships by the Episcopal Church.

They regarded both as being in opposition to the Bible and to the historical Christian position.

They commented:

"These actions clearly show that America, if she does not repent and actively turn from her national sins, has begun a death march."

They maintain that the Old and New Testaments inerrantly state that that sodomy is forbidden. They said:

"God has declared it an abomination."

They called:

"... on churches to proclaim God’s displeasure regarding sexual sin, to lovingly and truthfully reach out with the Gospel to those enslaved in these sins and to model God’s glorious design for marriage. ₆

2009: When the PCA receives a media request for the denomination's position on homosexuality, their standard response is:

"Homosexual practice is sin. The Bible teaches that all particular sins flow from our rebellious disposition of heart. Just as with any other sin, the PCA deals with people in a pastoral way, seeking to transform their lifestyle through the power of the gospel as applied by the Holy Spirit. Hence, in condemning homosexual practice we claim no self-righteousness, but recognize that any and all sin is equally heinous in the sight of a holy God.

The PCA is committed to the sanctity of human sexual relationships.  We believe God’s intent and design in creation was that male and female would be complementary, that the privilege of sexual expression would be between a male and female only, and this expression would be only in the context of marriage.  Therefore, any heterosexual or homosexual behavior or relationship that does not conform to God’s design does violence to the human spirit and distorts God’s intent for men and women." ₇

2011-JUL: In response to a decision by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to remove their "fidelity and chastity" requirement for ordination, L. Roy Taylor, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) wrote the following report to clarify the differences between the two Presbyterian denominations:

"The PCA requires that all candidates for ordained office practice what we believe God requires of all
persons; that is, that single persons are to live chaste lives, that 'marriage is to be between one man and
one woman,' and that fidelity in marriage is God’s will revealed in Holy Scriptures. The PCA has not
changed nor is it considering any changes in its requirements for ordination."

"The PCA and the PC(USA) are distinctly different denominations. Like most Presbyterian
denominations in North America, the PCA and PC(USA) have common historical roots dating back to
Colonial America. The history of Presbyterianism in America involves a series of divisions and mergers
arising from several issues. What is now the PCA was formed in 1973 in order to be a Presbyterian
denomination that is 'Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great
Commission.' In 1982 the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod joined with the PCA."

"Although there are theological differences within PCA, these differences are along a conservative-
evangelical spectrum and within the doctrinal parameters of The Westminster Confession, and the Larger
and Shorter Catechisms. All PCA Teaching Elders (Ministers), Ruling Elders, and Deacons, affirm in
their ordination vows that they 'sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of
this Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in Holy Scriptures.' The Westminster Confession
of Faith 24-1, The Larger Catechism 137-139, and The Shorter Catechism 70-72 explain our Church’s
understanding regarding marriage, particularly in reference to the Seventh Commandment, 'You shall not
commit adultery.' For additional information follow this link: http://pcaac.org/WCF.htm."

"The PCA General Assembly has on several occasions expressed its position of seeking to minister the
Good News of forgiveness to all people through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, teaching people to practice
biblical standards of thinking, conversation, and conduct through instruction in the Holy Scriptures and in
dependence upon the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit. For additional information follow these links:
http://www.pcahistory.org/,
http://www.pcahistory.org/,
http://www.pcahistory.org/,
http://www.pcahistory.org/,
http://www.pcahistory.org/ ₈

The above links provided by the Stated Clerk contain PCA statements that date from 1965 to 1999. Apparently, there has been no significant movement by the denomination during the 21st century.

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