The top legislative body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted by large margins Thursday to recognize same-sex marriage as Christian in the church constitution, adding language that marriage can be the union of “two people,” not just “a man and a woman.”
The amendment approved by the Presbyterian General Assembly requires approval from a majority of the 172 regional presbyteries, which will vote on the change over the next year. But in a separate policy change that takes effect at the end of this week’s meeting, delegates voted to allow ministers to preside at gay weddings in states where the unions are legal and local congregational leaders approve. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriage.
The votes, during a national meeting in Detroit, were a sweeping victory for Presbyterian gay-rights advocates. The denomination in 2011 eliminated barriers to ordaining clergy with same-sex partners, but ministers were still barred from celebrating gay marriages and risked church penalties for doing so. Alex McNeill, executive director of More Light Presbyterians, a gay advocacy group, said the decisions Thursday were “an answer to many prayers.”
“… marriage can be the union of “two people,””
On what basis do they stop at two? If you jettison one aspect of clear biblical teaching based on current sensibilities, it is incoherent to cling to a companion aspect. At this point, PCUSA is simply making up its own religion.
But then, they are not the only ones doing so.
🙄
Indeed, why are they against multiple person marriage equality!
The coming months will be a time of great difficulty in local Presbyteries as traditionalist congregations weigh their options and, in many cases, attempt to negotiate a gracious dismissal with property.
Regardless of if they remain in or depart from the PCUSA, pray for our Presbyterian friends as they seek to be faithful to the scriptures.
There is more tradition in support of polygamy than gay marriage.
Another denomination on it’s way to irrelevancy.