Opposition to ordaining practicing gays even stronger than 01-A vote
The Layman Online, February 13, 2002
Even though nearly 70 percent of the presbyteries that have voted on Amendment 01-A oppose the ordination of practicing homosexuals, the opposition in the national referendum still does not measure up to the level of opposition expressed in national polling on the issue.
As of Feb. 12, 113 of the 174 presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church (USA) had voted on Amendment 01-A and the tally was 78-35 against removing the “fidelity/chastity” ordination standard from the Book of Order. Thus, 69 percent of the presbyteries have affirmed the constitution.
But the individual balloting has been closer. Of roughly 16,000 ballots cast by elders and ministers at those presbytery meetings, nearly 10,000 (about 59 percent) voted against Amendment 01-A.
Should PCUSA ordain
practicing homosexuals?
(Presbyterian Panel – February 2002)Should permit25 percentShould not permit67 percentNo opinion8 percentOn Feb. 4, the Office of Research Services of the PCUSA published its latest Presbyterian Panel poll on the issue and found that 67 percent of the respondents oppose the ordination of practicing homosexuals.
So what’s the difference between the vote at presbyteries and the national polling?
The Presbyterian Panel is a randomly selected group of Presbyterian elders, members, pastors and specialized clergy. Each constituency in the Presbyterian Panel reflects its proportionate membership in the denomination – giving the Panel a reliable gauge of how all Presbyterians look at issues in the church.
But the Presbyterians who vote at presbytery meetings do not represent proportionately the membership of the Presbyterian Church (USA). To the contrary, all pastors, retired pastors and specialized clergy have voice and vote at presbytery meetings. Although Presbyterian guidelines call for parity between clergy and elders at presbytery meetings, it often is not attained. Therefore, clergy often have the upper hand at presbyteries. And numerous studies have shown that clergy – especially the specialized clergy – are considerably more liberal in their theology than elders and members.
Homosexual activity is sinful
(Presbyterian Panel – August 2000)Specialized clergy39 percentMinisters59 percentElders72 percentMembers72 percentIn August 2000, Research Services published the results of a poll that shows how that clergy advantage can offset the views of elders and members. That poll showed that, while 72 percent of the denomination’s elders and members believe homosexual activity is sinful, a majority of specialized clergy and 41 percent of the ministers believe it is not sinful.
Another indication of the effects of clergy domination of presbytery meetings is the selection of commissioners to general assemblies. The clergy’s dominant voice often ensures that presbyteries select a majority of commissioners to general assemblies who agree with the clergy. That’s why general assemblies in 1998 and 2001 approved overtures calling for the repeal of the ordination standard.
The disconnect between the voice of the laity and the clergy also shows up in a political category. Fifty-five percent of the members in the denomination and 53 percent of the elders describe themselves as Republicans. Sixty-one percent of the specialized clergy and 50 percent of the ministers describe themselves as Democrats.
However, on public policy issues, the PCUSA, through its Washington Office, lines up almost 100 percent with the left flank of the Democratic Party.