New US church leader says homosexuality no sin

[DaKCMan AP]

New US church leader says homosexuality no sin

Mon Jun 19, 3:50 PM ET


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Newly elected leader of the U.S. Episcopal Church Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said on Monday she believed homosexuality was no sin and homosexuals were created by God to love people of the same gender.


Jefferts Schori, bishop of the Diocese of Nevada, was elected on Sunday as the first woman leader of the 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church. the U.S. branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion. She will formally take office later this year.

Interviewed on CNN, Jefferts Schori was asked if it was a sin to be homosexual.

"I don't believe so. I believe that God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into this world with a different collection of things that challenge us and things that give us joy and allow us to bless the world around us," she said.

"Some people come into this world with affections ordered toward other people of the same gender and some people come into this world with affections directed at people of the other gender."

Jefferts Schori's election seemed certain to exacerbate splits within a Episcopal Church that is already deeply divided over homosexuality with several dioceses and parishes threatening to break away.

It could also widen divisions with other Anglican communities, including the Church of England, which do not allow women bishops. In the worldwide Anglican church women are bishops only in Canada, the United States and New Zealand.

Three years ago when the Church last met in convention, a majority of U.S. bishops backed the consecration of Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the first openly gay bishop in more than 450 years of Anglican history.

The Robinson issue has been particularly criticized in Africa where the church has a growing membership and where homosexuality is often taboo.

Jefferts Schori, who was raised a Roman Catholic and graduated in marine biology with a doctorate specialization in squids and oysters, supported the consecration of Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the first openly gay bishop in more than 450 years of Anglican history.

The 52-year-old bishop is married to Richard Schori, a retired theoretical mathematician. They have one daughter, Katharine Johanna, 24, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and a pilot like her mother.

Asked how she reconciled her position on homosexuality with specific passages in the Bible declaring sexual relations between men an abomination, Jefferts Schori said the Bible was written in a very different historical context by people asking different questions.

"The Bible has a great deal to teach us about how to live as human beings. The Bible does not have so much to teach us about what sorts of food to eat, what sorts of clothes to wear -- there are rules in the Bible about those that we don't observe today," she said.

"The Bible tells us about how to treat other human beings, and that's certainly the great message of Jesus -- to include the unincluded."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060619/...HBhBHNlYwM5NjQ-

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by Sully

I also agree on learning how to defend. However, there are many ways to defend yourself, other than through violence. You see... violence is not the ultimate answer. It is just one answer of many. The ONLY reason we cannot live my pipe dream is that FAR too many folks refuse to strive for it. They have, I repeat, given up hope, and have decided it is much easier to use their muscles than their mind or heart. I understand that I, nor many generations after me, will ever see any type of complete non-violence. I'm comfortable believing it probably will NEVER happen. We have violence in our being, and it's hard to go away from that for the better of those around you. However, I believe in striving with every fiber of my being to work toward that. Much like if you have a wire and you cut it in half, it is smaller. If you cut that in half, it is smaller, and so on. You can keep cutting inhalf, and making substantial progress, though you will never completely have no wire left. But it seems that many would refuse to cut the wire, simply because there would never be no wire.

Home invasion, I can shoot you or I can choose to have no gun and open my heart and mind. I'll take the gun every time. Violence is the answer to dealing with violent people. The run and snitch is very relevant. Schools out here have that policy. If someone hits you you are exected to run and snitch. If you retaliate you are expelled. It's that mentality I despise. It's that mentality that Hamas supports which is why it was brought up. It is that mentality that leads to the removal of firearms from society even though there are 2.5 million SDGU's every year in this country. It's that mentality that wants to see MMA outlawed. It's that mentality that made Barbara Boxer say she thinks all countries should have the same amount of weapons to make it fair to everyone.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

The funny thing about you is how selective your memory is. I seem to recall you laying out a "fuck you" to me long before I cursed you in size 7 font. Furthermore, in the last week you've called me a dumb c*nt, and told me to kill myself and wished to piss on my family. And you are absolved from hate...it doesn't surprise me that you try to go back to the other members of the board to back you up, as it is quite obvious that this is the only meaningful social group that you have in your life. Just give me the word, and I'll bring up any of these aforementioned posts you hypocritical shitheel.

There's probably a good reason why you have such a reaction though, it's an old saying that is a popular one of Paul Begala: a hit dog barks.

I [and you as well] didn't just say 'hate.' I said 'clouded by hate.'
Clear skies here, spittlespark.

And the quote I provided wasn't about your analysis, it was about your recollection of your stance re: giving stuff to people who look like they need it. You said my understanding clouded my analysis of your stances, and all I had to do was quote you to establish my clarity.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

It's hard for me to answer when I'm living a life away from this BB. Sorry that got in your way. Just so you know, there are many greens that do endorse the Just War theory. There is a cavernous leap between that and what you are so wont to construe as violence. There's nothing wrong with protecting yourself if some dude at a bar is throwing punches at you. There is something wrong with trying to pick a fight with someone to either prove something to yourself, boost your ego, or gain from it.

BS you supported a run and snitch policy in school.

How do you feel about gun legislation?

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

As it is now, much of what is called Christianity seems to be missing Christ.

Stop pretending. We are all infidels to you Islamamomma.

[Sully]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

Home invasion, I can shoot you or I can choose to have no gun and open my heart and mind. I'll take the gun every time. Violence is the answer to dealing with violent people. The run and snitch is very relevant. Schools out here have that policy. If someone hits you you are exected to run and snitch. If you retaliate you are expelled. It's that mentality I despise. It's that mentality that Hamas supports which is why it was brought up. It is that mentality that leads to the removal of firearms from society even though there are 2.5 million SDGU's every year in this country. It's that mentality that wants to see MMA outlawed. It's that mentality that made Barbara Boxer say she thinks all countries should have the same amount of weapons to make it fair to everyone.

Until you can really comprehend what I am saying about using you mind and your heart (not "opening it") then you will never have the ability to comprehend my point, and it's useless to try.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by TitsMagee

this is so funny to me.... trust me, I know enough that I'm pretty confident I don't need to be enlightened. Thanks though. But you can email me if you want to.

I wasn't presuming to imply that I could enlighten you, Ms. TitsMagee. On the contrary, your command of the subject is, clearly, above criticism.

Rather, I believe it was you who expressed doubt as to the relevance of my post in response to yours from an historical perspective. I simply thought I would offer you the opportunity to publicly prove yourself correct in your assumption. If it is a matter you prefer to leave alone, fine. Otherwise, I will be more than happy to compare competencies on both secular and faith-based biblical scholarship.

Meanwhile, and although I deeply appreciate your kind offer, there are plenty of other people to whom I can send emails.

FAX

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by Sully

Until you can really comprehend what I am saying about using you mind and your heart (not "opening it") then you will never have the ability to comprehend my point, and it's useless to try.

Do you own a gun?

[Jilly]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Oh, I know as I am a member of a church that has had this view forever. But they are known as a fringe group in the Christian movement. When the tolerance of homosexuality becomes more than 'love the sinner, hate the sin' then I'll be at peace with Christianity.

As it is now, much of what is called Christianity seems to be missing Christ.

I agree. Except that I think there are glimpses of hope here and there...

[Sully]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

Do you own a gun?

Do you plan on invading my house???

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Sully

Do you plan on invading my house???

No one expects the BigDaddy home invasion!!!!

[Sully]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

No one expects the BigDaddy home invasion!!!!

[redbrian]

Originally Posted by Sully

I would never say it permeates.
But it can be found.

Please don't quote mememe (as I have her ignore), if you had not quoted her I would not have this extremely painful and disturbing thought of her sitting her fat as in the pews at the church I attend.

[Sully]

Originally Posted by redbrian

Please don't quote mememe (as I have her ignore), if you had not quoted her I would not have this extremely painful and disturbing thought of her sitting her fat as in the pews at the church I attend.

I'm here to protect your mental images, chief.

[Clint in Wichita]

This is quite a slippery slope.

The next thing you know, it won't be a sin to rape children and f_ck animals.

[Jilly]

Originally Posted by FAX

I wasn't presuming to imply that I could enlighten you, Ms. TitsMagee. On the contrary, your command of the subject is, clearly, above criticism.

Rather, I believe it was you who expressed doubt as to the relevance of my post in response to yours from an historical perspective. I simply thought I would offer you the opportunity to publicly prove yourself correct in your assumption. If it is a matter you prefer to leave alone, fine. Otherwise, I will be more than happy to compare competencies on both secular and faith-based biblical scholarship.

Meanwhile, and although I deeply appreciate your kind offer, there are plenty of other people to whom I can send emails.

FAX

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend your intelligence, I really didn't. It's just hard to take that quote as fact when I know it was written by a desperate crazy guy on the Island of Patmos in desolate conditions. But maybe you weren't using it as fact or as something to back up a belief of yours... and in that case, it may have gone over my head. Which is sometimes the case. I'm sorry though, really, if I offended you.

I hope the other people you email appreciate you like I do though!!! ;-)