ELCA Convention in Minneapolis 8/20/09

Sodom, oh Sodom ...



[Hat tip to S.S.]

Sodom, Oh Sodom

Manya Brachear and Margaret Ramirez, "Lutheran task force recommends changing gay-clergy policy" (Chicago Tribune, February 19, 2009): "A task force of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recommended Thursday that its leaders make changes to allow gay and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as clergy."

Oh, but never fear, if you aren't quite on the bandwagon yet: "At the same time, the task force also asked members of the church to respect congregations and synods that disagree because they believe such actions would violate Scripture."

Furthermore -- and here's the real sigh of relief (these people are so considerate of their "weaker brethren"): "If approved, the measures would change current church policy that allows ordination of gay clergy, but requires them to be celibate." (emphasis added)

[Hat tip to S.F.]

Gospel according to ELCA Lutheranism

"ELCA Council Assumes Responsibility to Address Racism, Sexism" (ELCA News Service, april 19, 2007):

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) assigned responsibility for its ongoing antiracism and antisexism education and training to its Board Development Committee. In November the council voted to begin planning "for its continuous education, reflection and training on the issue of sexism, just as the Church Council has committed itself to continuous education, reflection and training on the issue of racism."

. . . The council asked the Board Development Committee to coordinate planning for the council's retreat in July 2008 on the topic of "scandalous realities," which was a reference to a commitment related to the strategic directions of the ELCA churchwide organization: "confront the scandalous realities of racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, age, gender, familial, sexual, physical, personal and class barriers that often manifest themselves in exclusion, poverty, hunger and violence."

Lutheran college to observe 'gay' Day of Silence

Swimming boldly upstream against a pervasive tide of bigotry ... No, scratch that. Floating downstream with the politically correct flotsam and jetsam of the day, the following announcement came today from the office of the Associate Director of Admissions of Lenoir-Rhyne College, an institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

Get ready for the campus to be a little quieter. On April 18, 2007, students at Lenoir-Rhyne College will join students across the nation in a Day of Silence to protest the bullying, harassment, and name-calling faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth every day.

Participants will be silent on April 18, wearing stickers and passing out ‘speaking cards’ that read:

"Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?"

Participants expect to gather for a “silent lunch” as well as a “Breaking the Silence” event at 5:00pm in the Cromer Cafeteria.

Students of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions are participating,

The Day of Silence, according to local organizer Kalah Wilson is especially relevant to our school because, “It’s time that all students have an opportunity to feel safe on campus, and I hope that my silence will bring to light the harsh realities that LGBT students face everyday.” Local organizer Deondra Newell hopes that the event will work towards ending some of the silence and hatred students face.

The Day of Silence Project is one of the largest student-led events in the country, wherein thousands of high schools and college students participate.... For information about the Day of Silence organized nationally, visit the Day of Silence website at www.dayofsilence.org.

Just watch the knee-jerk bigotries and prejudices pop out against anyone, like me, who dares even to question the magisterial doctrines of self-congratulatory liberal enlightenment underlying such an event.