Presbyterian Church in America says you can't be a gay Christian
Wed. July 7, 2021 3:25 PM by Gerald Farinas
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photo credit // rachel stine
The denomination is a conservative branch of the Presbyterian tradition
St. Louis, Mo -
The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) once again affirmed its stance against making lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons being ordained into any of its ministries. It also affirmed stances on homosexuality within the Church.
The conservative denomination met in their General Assembly in St. Louis, Mo. Its declaration runs counter to a society that is largely more accepting of LGBTQ persons.
A larger denomination called the Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCUSA) allows the ordination of LGBTQ ministers and recognizes marriage equality though individual congregations have the opportunity to opt out of the inclusive policy.
The PCA issued what it calls its Report of the Ad Interim Committee on Human Sexuality. It is an official answer to the Chicago Presbytery's request to study LGBTQ issues in the denomination. A presbytery is the equivalent of a diocese in the PCA.
The report addressed several issues like the "nature of sexual sin" and temptation, if it is appropriate for someone to call themselves a "gay Christian," and if it is appropriate to incorporate the LGBTQ community into the Church.
The report answers these issues with statements that begin with "We affirm."
In Statement 4 of the report it concludes, "Theexperience of same-sex attraction is not morally neutral; the attraction is an expression of original or 8 indwelling sin that must be repented of and put to death."
Statement 5 of the report says, "Impure thoughts and desires arising in us prior to and apart from a conscious act of the will are still sin."
Statement 9 of the report says LGBTQ persons should not define themselves by their sin but rather put these labels "to death" and accept the label of Christian. Therefore, the denomination believes one can't call themselves a "gay Christian."
"Christians should not identify with their sin," the denomination says.
The conservative denomination met in their General Assembly in St. Louis, Mo. Its declaration runs counter to a society that is largely more accepting of LGBTQ persons.
A larger denomination called the Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCUSA) allows the ordination of LGBTQ ministers and recognizes marriage equality though individual congregations have the opportunity to opt out of the inclusive policy.
The PCA issued what it calls its Report of the Ad Interim Committee on Human Sexuality. It is an official answer to the Chicago Presbytery's request to study LGBTQ issues in the denomination. A presbytery is the equivalent of a diocese in the PCA.
The report addressed several issues like the "nature of sexual sin" and temptation, if it is appropriate for someone to call themselves a "gay Christian," and if it is appropriate to incorporate the LGBTQ community into the Church.
The report answers these issues with statements that begin with "We affirm."
In Statement 4 of the report it concludes, "Theexperience of same-sex attraction is not morally neutral; the attraction is an expression of original or 8 indwelling sin that must be repented of and put to death."
Statement 5 of the report says, "Impure thoughts and desires arising in us prior to and apart from a conscious act of the will are still sin."
Statement 9 of the report says LGBTQ persons should not define themselves by their sin but rather put these labels "to death" and accept the label of Christian. Therefore, the denomination believes one can't call themselves a "gay Christian."
"Christians should not identify with their sin," the denomination says.