Presbyterians (PCUSA) Can't Agree on Gay Relationships

From the Christian Post:

Presbyterians have come to a similar conclusion as Lutherans recently did about same-gender relationships: they cannot agree.

In a draft report, a special committee of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) stated that there continues to be a struggle in the denomination and they are left with "honest and sincere disagreements" on the issue of same-sex marriage and partnerships.

"What is the place of covenanted same-gender partnerships in the Christian community? The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) cannot agree," the Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Unions and Christian Marriage said in its September report.

Last month, the Evangelical Lutheran Church adopted a social statement on human sexuality also stating that they lack consensus on the matter of same-gender relationships. The statement, however, went on to recommend to the wider denomination that they commit themselves to finding ways to recognize such relationships.

Just as Lutherans have been urged to stay together and listen to one another as they continue to wrestle with their disagreements, Presbyterians are being given the same plea.

"The question before us is not what issue will define us at any given moment, but whether then Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can acknowledge that our unity in Christ supersedes any other claim or argument clamoring for our attention," the special committee stated, calling Presbyterians to listen to one another with openness and respect.

The same General Assembly passed a resolution that would allow gay and lesbian candidates for ordination to conscientiously object the current requirement that clergy live in "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between and a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness."

The PC(USA) currently defines marriage as between a man and a woman but the 2.3 million-member denomination has been debating the issue of homosexuality for the past three decades.

I'm not sure how appealing this approach is, either for those opposed to same-sex relationships or LGBT people--hard to feel confident of support for either position in an atmosphere of uncertainty or confusion. At least there is not outright condemnation of LGBT people and there is still discussion, which means there is still hope that the PCUSA can wind up taking a strongly affirming at some point, although that doesn't appear anywhere near imminent.

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