The military takes a "if I don't know it is alright" attitude in regards to homosexuality. If you do not profess it, it does not exist. This question is, should the church adopt a similar "head-in-the-sand" outlook. If the person does not proclaim his or herself to be homosexual, they should be allowed to go about their business? This question is raised in light of the news accounts this weekend that an avowed homosexual now is in line for Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Do you think homosexuals should be ordained?

Rev. John

-- Anonymous, March 15, 1998

Answers

The standards for ordination in the AME Church are based on life style, that is one's actions. One who lives an immoral life should not be ordained. Therefore one who practices homosexual acts should not be ordained just as one who practices adultry or any illict sexual relationship. God says that sex should be practiced only in the marriage relationship. As soon as we get real good at it, we die and go to heaven where it si not needed any more.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 1998

EMPHATICALLY NO! The ministry is to combat sin not promote it. There are enough black marks against Christianity without adding more. God speaks against homosexuality. I realize that God created all and that He allows us to think freely. There are a number of things (jealousy, power seeking, etc.) within the church. I feel that any acknowledged homosexual should not preach God's Word. How can anyone with those thought possibly spread the Gospel? What kind of religious book would be used to backup that type of behavior? That is an abomination, an insult to a righteous God. As a matter of fact, this would be a supported statement that the Bible is not true. I realize that God forgives all, except blasphemy againt the Holy Spirit, and He can and will forgive a homosexual, but there must be repentance. The personal life of a homosexual is totally against the teachings of the Bible. How can they procreate? The military is not a sacred organization so therefore the Church should not base their practices on anything of the world.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 1999

I fully, 100% feel that homosexuals should be ordained. Even if they have come "out of the closet", i feel that they can offer the congregation they serve a new outlook. 50 years ago, the question of ordaining African American's or women would be posed. today, some of the greatest ministers and religious leaders are african american or female. i don't see the harm in allowing homosexuals to be ordained. who are we to say that God is not calling them to the ministry? if we can't accept them, how can we call ourselves Christian or people fo faith? for we, as Christians and people of faith, say that we accept everyone, because everyone is a child of God. who gives us the right to decide that they are not children of God?

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2002

I'll remind everyone what my dad said when we left the United Methodist church for the Free Methodist church in 1978. The fact that acceptance of homosexuality is even discussed shows moral rot.

In my movement any minister making such a proposal would likely be immediately dismissed. Rightly so. It would be the same as proposing drug addicts or rapists be accepted for ordination. Some things are just so ludicrous that they just don't warrant discussion.

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2002

Absolutely NOT! where are we going? are we as Christians allowing ourselves to be as the WORLD? I think if you allow and permit this type of behavior with our leaders in the church, we may as well open the doors up and allow anything to go on. i guess next you will say it's ok for preachers to have a wife and Concubines in the church. We are allowing ourselves to get away from the word of GOD. We have allowed Homosexual to become our Ministers of Music in our churches. When are we going to step up and do what Thus Saith the Lord? I am sorry to see that we as AME"S are entertainting the idea of ordaining someone that is a homosexual. Please people PRAY, Pray, Pray Pray People we are getting like the world.If you are a Holy ghost filled Man or Woman of God and you know of someone that is a homosexual in your church, I suggest you quickly Pray and help this person to turn their life over to God to be as He wants us to be. We are in the Lenten season, this would be a good time to take the church back from the World. I am praying for us all.

-- Anonymous, February 18, 2002

Are there really homosexuals serving as music ministers, or in any ministry capacity lay or clergy in anyone's church who reads this board?

-- Anonymous, February 18, 2002

In spite of misleading english translations which may imply the contrary, the word "homosexual" does not occur in the Bible. No manuscript in Hebrew, Greek, Syrian, or Aramaic contains such a word. In fact, no language contained a word equal to homosexual till the late 19th century. If i'm not mistaken, the Bible was written long before the 19th Century. Homosexuality is an inventioin of the late 19th Century and does not occur in any of the original manuscripts from which the English Bible is descended. The subject of homosexuality is not mentioned in the Ten Commandments, nor in the Summary of the Law. Even Jesus makes no mention of it. The Hebrew word that has been translated to mean homosexual actually means "to know". "To know," can take on three different versions. The first, is o know someone like a person you see in the halls at your office building or school. The second, is to know someone like a good friend or family memeber. The final "to know" is like that of a sexual sense. this word is used 943 times in the Old Testement. However, only 10 of these 943 times does it refer to knowing someone in the sexual sense. I'm a high school student, and i have sat through discernment process after discernment process for my denomiation. I was always taught that we should accept everyone because that's what the Bible says to do. "Love thy neighbor as thyself." I have also talked to many high school students and other youth in my region about this topic. As far as we are concerned, having a homosexual minister doesn't bother us. What we want to know, is why do the adults have such a problem accepting this idea. Your fears of having homosexuals lead your congregations is a sign of prejudice. Get over it guys. one of these days there will be a change. maybe not in your life or in mine, but someday.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002

No matter how you try to dress it up, it's wrong in the sight of God, To have a minister, pastor or Bishop thats Gay serving in these area are wrong.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

If any gay pastors are found, will they be removed as unfit? More importantly, will those who appointed them (assuming they knew) be removed as unfit? Such things must be dealt with most forcefully. Failing to do so risks God's judgement.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Since we're in the Lenten season are you saying that homosexuals should give it up for lent? so if they decide to make their new year's resolution to abstain from sexual interaction with people of their own sex, and then they give it up for lent too, would ya say that they are "saved"? As for homosexuals that are ordained right now, it is a "don't ask, don't tell" policy. and if the congregation they are serving in right now has no problem with it then they should not be removed, and those that hired the person should be commended not condemned. My freind, who is protestant, has a HOMOSEXUAL YOUTH LEADER. don't freak out everyone, it will be ok. breathe, in and out, in and out. i've personally met this person, and told her about this board. she isn't going to come here because she says it is a waste of her time because the congregation that she serves accepts her, and that is all that matters. by the way, she did tell me to let those of you who are "praying" for people "like that", to stop. God created her that way, and if the Lord above wants her like that, then she accepts that. You can't dress up facts. facts are straight forward no changing. otherwise they wouldn't be facts. God bless everyone. i take it back. just those that can accept everyone else.

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002

Enough of this nonsense. I rebuke this foul spirit in the Name of Jesus.

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002

I was told about this board by a friend, and since everyone here seems to be an "expert" on what is morally right and wrong, i wondered if you would answer a few questions i have. ~When i burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, i know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. How should i deal with this? ~I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as it suggests in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do youthink would be a fair price for her? ~I know that i am allowed no contatact with a worman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15: 19-24). The problem is, how do i tell? i have tried asking, but most women take offense. ~Lev. 25:44 states that i may buy slaves from the nations that are around us. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clerify? ~I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am i morally obligated to kill him myslef? ~A freind of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 10:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. i don't agree. Can you settle this? ~Lev. 20:20 states that i may not approach the altar of God if i have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that i wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here? I know you have studied these things extensively, so i am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

As a lesbian, I am just exploring the Episcopal Church as an option for my devotion. I have been raised Roman Catholic and have grown weary of being considered a "sinner." I can no longer devote myself to an institution that doesn't want me as a person of Christ. In response to this question, I can only answer an emphatic YES!! Homosexuals deserve to be included in the ministry of the Church. Why? Because they are, before their sexuality, people. Like me. I have a cat, a dynamic committed lifetime relationship. I mow the grass. I eat macaroni and cheese and I have many gifts given to me by God. I know that it is right and good that I have a devoted relationship to my partner. I would, with all my heart, marry her in an instant if I could. Like the heterosexuals, homosexuals have their deviants. But what about those gays and lesbians that are devout-interested in goodness and Christian values? I ask myself what Christ would want. Would He advocate slavery? Would he advocate hatred of minorities - of minorities who are upright and God-fearing? I don't think so. I would say that Christ would accept people who love others as His own. I think that Bishop Sprong's Message to the Anglican Communion is amazingly well stated and profoundly human. I want very much to devote myself to God within the context of a Church community and I know that there is a place for me there. I pray for those who dehumanize gays and lesbians and reduce them to sinners. We're not. I know I'm not. God Bless You.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

My name is Fedrick and I'm a teenager from the 7th Episcopal District of the AME Church. Homosexuals should NOT be ordained. The bible clears states that homosexual activity is sinful and an abomination before Almighty God. The following scriptures will prove my point Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 18:29, 1 Kings 14:24, Romans 1:18-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9- 10.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

Effeminate and abusers of themselves with mankind are homosexuals!!

God hates the sin, but He loves the person. The sin will keep you from going to Heaven. Jesus loves everyone and He desire that everyone have a full and abundant life through Him. He will forgive anyone who repent of their sins (including homosexuality)and turn to Him as Savior of their life. Jesus can deliver and set the homosexual and anybody free of the sin. Those who engage in such behavior should come to God in confession and repentence and ask for His forgiveness and healing. He can do it, oh yes He can. Jesus died for all sinners and He can give the sinner hope for tomorrow

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2003