More Light calls task force recommendation ‘deeply insulting,’ urges deletion of G-6.0106b
The Layman Online, August 30, 2005
A gay activist group, calling a recommendation by the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church “deeply insulting,” is urging presbyteries to continue sending overtures to the 217th General Assembly to delete the “fidelity/chastity” standard from the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The national board of More Light Presbyterians – one of a handful of small, special-interest groups that have been lobbying for the denomination to end its historic and Biblical prohibition against ordaining practicing homosexuals as ministers, elders and deacons – in a statement released on its Web site, says that the task force’s proposal that the 217th General Assembly adopt “‘no additional authoritative interpretations, to remove no existing authoritative interpretations, and to send to presbyteries no proposed constitutional amendments that would have the effect of changing denominational policy in the major areas of the task force’s report …’ is clearly in denial of the very real, very present circumstances that affect the day-to-day lives and ministries of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians.”
“Discernment in the form of prayer and dialogue is invaluable,” says the group, which also opposes the denomination’s Biblical definition of marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman. “But true discernment cannot come unless all parties are free to speak openly about their lives and how Christ is active in their lives. For the church, after 30 years of struggle, to now tell its LGBT members, their families and supporters that we will again step back to think and talk some more is deeply insulting. The legislative process is the only remaining place where our voices are truly heard by the church, and to remove this option risks binding the work of the Spirit among us.”
While praising the task force’s recommendation that “lifts up the appropriate role of presbyteries and local governing bodies in discerning the ordination and installation of officers,” the statement said it is “unreasonable to expect that well prepared, committed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians who are otherwise eligible to serve the church will be in a position to fully share their witness while C looms as a threat to their ordination.”
The statement then targets the “fidelity/chastity” standard (G-6.0106b) in the Book of Order, charging that the denomination “has violated its own historic principles” by failing to “protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians from spiritual, psychological, material, and judicial violence,” adding:
“G-6.0106b must be removed if the church is to repent and go forward in peace.”