Does the Uniting Church welcome gay and lesbian members? it all depends
How can we work together to eliminate the divisions among the followers of Jesus?
unresolved sexuality issues
- three former Presidents' report to Assembly Standing Committee on "unresolved sexuality issues" and the resolutions of the Assembly Standing Committee
- National Social Responsibility and Justice Committee comments on three former Presidents' report to Assembly Standing Committee and the resolutions of the Assembly Standing Committee
- Uniting Network response to three former Presidents' report to Assembly Standing Committee and the resolutions of the Assembly Standing Committee
- my comments
- It is with deep regret that the Assembly Standing Committee recognises that instances of abuse, harassment and vilification have occurred in the church since the 1997 Assembly, arising from differences of conviction on homosexuality.
bearing faithful witness
- It is important that we be careful, intentional, non-stereotypical, and respectful in our use of language.
- Texts need to be interpreted in ways that bring the Good News of a faithful and persistent God at work in Jesus of Nazareth who we proclaim as Christ to a world needing good news - not hateful, hurtful, spiteful, vengeful news.
- origins of Scripture
- thinking about salvation
- thinking about women
- overcoming anti semitism
- Matthew stresses the importance of forgiveness, of living by an honourable code, and of love even for the enemy.
- Paul’s Letters and Scripture
- revisiting the woman taken in adultery
American Psychological Association
- Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality
- Ethical Concerns About Attempts to Change Sexual Orientation
- Homosexuality is neither mental illness nor moral depravity
The Uniting Church in Australia
the people of GOD on the way to the promised endIn July 1997, the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia
- affirmed sexuality as God’s good gift,
- recognised the commitment of the Church to be both multicultural and inclusive and
- committed the Church to a continuing dialogue about the place of homosexual people in its life, in the same spirit of openness and compassion that prevailed during the meeting of this Assembly.
President John Mavor told a press conference that the Assembly had endorsed the Uniting Church as an inclusive church that welcomes gay and lesbian members.
- sexuality policy
- introduction to the revised sexuality report
- full recommendations of the Assembly Task Group on Sexuality
- sexuality proposals introduced in Assembly
- recognise with sadness inability to reach further agreement
- commitment of Church to be inclusive
- policy on homosexuality
The Uniting Church in Paddington has come out in support of the gay and lesbian community, by placing a four square meter Safe Place banner over its church entrance.
One dilemma for many Evangelicals, Aborigines and members of ethnic minorities is that they are attracted by the social activism of the Uniting Church but they are strongly opposed to homosexuality.
Rev Alistair Macrae, as chairperson of the sexuality task force has received many phone calls. "Some just to say that this was the best news they'd ever heard from the church", he said.
The Uniting Church is listening to young people
Uniting Network:
- aims
- media release September 1997
- embracing our strength gathering Sydney, June 1998
- statement to the Church from this conference
- response to three former Presidents' report to Assembly Standing Committee and the resolutions of the Assembly Standing Committee
The day Rev Dr Dorothy McRae McMahon acknowledged the reality of her sexuality was the day she felt whole and integrated for the first time in her life.
- coming out at Assembly
- strong support from Assembly
- threatened with disciplinary action by a Presbytery
- writes to her friends
- officially launchs Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival
exploring the issues
Being attracted to someone of the same sex can be frightening so frightening that you may deny your feelings, or throw yourself into dating the opposite sex, just to prove you are not gay or lesbian.
Homosexuality is neither mental illness nor moral depravity. It is simply the way a minority of our population expresses human love and sexuality.
In The History of Sexuality, Volume I, Michel Foucault, distinguished between the earlier construction of the sodomite and the nineteenth-century construction of the homosexual
If we use the Bible as our only source for the history of kissing, we would conclude that same sex kissing was the norm and that no man had kissed a woman since Jacob kissed Rachel at Gen. 29:11 late in the third millennium BCE.
There word homosexual is not in the Bible. These Biblical texts have been interpreted by some people to refer to homosexuality, check out what they really mean.
In the light of God's creation of and love for all people, regardless of sexual orientation we are alarmed at the rise of homophobic behaviour and public statements.
Many people who have never read the writings of St Paul, believe he shared their prejudices about women and sexuality. What were St Paul's attitudes on sexuality and how do they support moves for gay rights?
For too long homosexuality has been thought of as the central problem of gay men and lesbians. The real issue is not homosexuality but homophobia, society's fear and persecution of us.
Judaism does not prohibit or in any way look down upon homosexual love. In the eyes of Judaism the love between two men or two women can be as natural as the love between a man and a woman.
Sexual attraction and sexual union leads to the closeness and intimacy of life, inspiring the kind and positive feelings and warmth that only sex can induce and only friendship and intimacy can sustain.
Wisconsin Clergy Issue Statement Affirming Christian Inclusivity May 12, 1997
The Presbyterian General Assemblies have addressed the issue of homosexuality in three broad categories
Methodist youth organization defends its homosexuality stance
questions about homosexuality and the church - Is homosexuality a sin? - God's gay tribe - the word homosexual in the Bible - love makes a family - does the church really oppress homosexuals? - a queer confession - queer theology - St Aelred of Rievaulx - the case against marriage
If you're convinced that you know the 'truth of God' and He has told you through your reading of the Bible that homosexuality is evil, there is nothing here which will convince you otherwise.Thanks for visiting our site!