When are people going to learn that bigotry and intolerance are unacceptable to most people?

Has ANYBODY read the Bible and seen that it clearly states homosexuality is wrong?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Iam sorry for those who do not beleive the Word of the Bible....because one day they will stand before God and answer only to Him...then it will be too late.

re: the Bible clearly states homosexuality is wrong and

the Bible is a beautiful book with many lessons...most of which were taught by Jesus...and perhaps it is the word of God...if so

HE/SHE's Word is subject to many interpretations as indicated by the many religion each with itS unique interpretation...eg:

'None of the four gospels mentions homosexuality from which it can be inferred that homosexuality was not a matter of major concern either for Jesus or for the early Christian movement.' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_the_New_Testament

and believe the NT refutes much of the OT...

re: stand before God and answer only to Him...

'pray there aint no hell'...as 'we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God...'

The way in which the Diocese of South Carolina spins its statement makes it sadly evident that, even in matters of much higher consequence than mere electoral transactions, political savvy trumps honesty and integrity.

Honesty and integrity would seem to demand that the Diocese and its Bishop accept responsibility for their positions and actions and thus be willing to accept the concomitant consequences. Instead, responsibility for the situation is laid at the feet of the Church General and the Diocese paints itself as nothing more than, at best, a righteous martyr and, at worst, an innocent victim. Neither pose is attractive---righteous martyrs are a dime-a-dozen in American religious culture and need to be fitted for a leper's bell so that we know where they are at all times---and neither is an honest portrayal of the diocesan role.

"The Episcopal Church" did not "act against this Diocese and its Bishop." It only acted in response to diocesan and episcopal actions that were in clear violation of church law. Furthermore, by its positions and actions, the "Diocese of South Carolina" has knowingly created a situation in which the Church General, in order to maintain its commitment to church law and the general church community, may have no alternative save that of ending its relationship with the Diocese. For integrity's sake, the Diocese, given its culpability, should have been the party to effect disaffiliation. But integrity is in short supply in this situation.

Ms. Street has focused on only one issue, homosexuality, in her story. I appreciate the links she makes to certain factors of the story and I encourage others to look at them. The far greater issue is biblically beliefs and teaching. The National Church (TEC) does not affirm either the Nicene or Apostles Creed. Christianity is based on believing that Jesus Christ is who he said he was/ is and only through him salvation comes. This is not what TEC is stating or practicing.

Church and state are separate and should have remained so. It is an abomination, one should not lay with the same sex. See the period. We must love and care for everyone. Gay people are with us to stay, many are my relatives and friends ; that does not make them right. A-Men!

I certainly wouldn't want to belong to that church with those beliefs. Where do you go next.....Marrying your pet horse, your cow, your dog, etc. What the heck do these people want....to be noticed and put on a pedestal for some off the wall sex? Do what you want, but don't make out your some kind of martyr for a wonderful cause!

I left the Church because they caved to the progressive trendiness of embracing gay marriage rather than standing their ground on liturgy. Here's my objection. If you want to join a club, you voluntarily agree to obey the rules. No one made you join the club. The club should not have to change its rules just because you want to join.
I am all for civil unions. All civil marriage is is a contract. Dress it up all you want. By the way, gay marriage is about to pass in Maine. I know a number of divorce attorneys licking their chops. .
Just an aside: at no time in human history has gay marriage ever been accepted. At no time. Just saying.

I think the situation of same sex marriages, civil unions, etc. would be clarified if we did not have churches performing marriages that are recognized by law. All the arguments against same sex unions are based upon religious beliefs. How about if the government performed civil unions, recognized by law for tax, inheritance, and "next of kin" issues, and churches performed their sacraments as they see fit, but they would have no legal ramifications...only religious. Religious people could get married twice; once legally and once religiously. They could have their reception after whichever one they prefer.
And David, I know that homosexual unions have been acceptable in many cultures throughout history, but that is not relevant anyway. As Ken pointed out, slavery has been recognized as acceptable through most of history, but perhaps we can be more evolved than that. That evolution should apply to basic civil rights and equality for all races, genders, and sexual orientations.

A HOLY WAR, INDEED.
It is the right of each to decide, where he/she wants to be standing, AFTER - they have taken thier last- breath.
When it is to late, WHAT, THEN- when those who do not believe- find- that they were wrong?
THIS is a thought to give much time to.
WHAT makes people dislike God so much?
At the end of thier breath, I hope, that they have a chance, for one last 'gulp'- to change thier mind, and go with God

Wow! Are we all getting hot under the collar. Let's calm down. I am a lifelong Episcopalian. Let me share an experience I had. When I first moved to Summerville, S.C., I went to St. Paul's Episcopal Church and I met with one of the pastors and told him of my background as a transsexual clergy woman as a courteously. It was suggested by him, that I find another church...like St. George's. and that the rest of St Paul's clergy were even less tolerant than he was. The end result was my spouse and I ended up at a Southern Baptist Church who extended their hand of love. They were putting into practice the words of Christ to agape (Love with no strings attached) me.

I agree that civil marriages should be recognized and given all the benefits and rights as any marriage. Should the church have the right not to marry GLBT people. I believe so. But also remember the church marriage is not recognized without a legal government issued document call a marriage certificate issued by the town/city clerk and filed with the same signed and witnessed by the one who performed the marriage/civil union and two witnesses.

re: St. Paul's Episcopal Church [suggested] I find another church...ended up at a Southern Baptist Church who extended their hand of love...

oh my, would have expected the opposite...goes to show, one cant assume...shame me and st paul's...

tho not a believer in literal bible interpretations...do believe in 'putting into practice the words of Christ'...ie, love your neighbor...and

who is our neighbor...Jesus told us in the good samaritan parable...

God loves all his children and if he was so against homosexuality...why does he keep making gays?

the only way anyone will not get into heaven is to reject Jesus and not accept him as Lord.Homosexuals who are celibate and follow God's law, will enter God's kingdom.

WHEN CHRIST RETURNS TO EARTH, he will weep, then shake his head and say, “Why did you select one group of God’s children to separate from the others and shame?

Why have you sacrificed principals and family to adhere to outworn laws of two thousand years ago? You mistakenly superimpose onto the Modern Age antiquated conventions of the emerging culture of man 100 generations past -- a painful anachronism now unnecessarily shouldered by the innocent.

I left you thinking you would take the love I shared with you to share with ALL people. Instead, you take a book of paper and ink, aged, disputed, and altered over time, and you make that book more important than LOVE itself. You deny rights to loving couples, and judge and punish them for being what God made them to be.

You single out God’s children, harmless and unsuspecting, and prevent them from enjoying friendships and comradery. You bully others into such desperation, they take their own lives. You defy reason, intuition, and emotion. You withhold love from your own child, to pray the gay away. You chant dogma that contradicts human nature, though you, too, see the injustice and humiliation you now promote. And all this you do in the name of God!

You travel a muddy road downhill in the dark.

I light a different path to a place where people treat others the way they themselves want to be treated… the place where LOVE resides. See the light ahead? Follow me.”

I wonder what it is about South Carolina and wanting to secede from things.

It didn't work out too well the last time it happened. They were wrong about slavery and wanting to practice it and the bishop is wrong here. And it will have the same result. I just hope Atlanta doesn't get burned to the ground this time.

Are people here in the south that hypocritical? Are we still living back in the stone age? Only here would the topic of gays be taken to a whole new level. Have any of you bible believers been to downtown Greenville lately?? There are so many bible law breakers walking around there, that the city should catch on fire and burn to the ground..but ya know what..its not going to..and ya know why?? cause most people know today that there are so many advancements in technology that alot of the things you believe in so much in the bible, have been proven NOT TRUE!!! or IMPOSSIBLE!!! I have never seen so many people in one place that say they dont believe in ghosts..but they believe in Jesus!!!WHAT!!! Isnt Jesus suppose to be a spirit, a Holy Ghost?? Now that is a total Hypocrit..just like your therory on Gays...Only in the South is biggotry still allowed, and all because you use the bible as your white hoods...way to stay out of the loop...have no fear though..God will provide!!!!

@courthousedoc. You pose a very good question. As a lifelong Episcopalian, I believe that Bishop Mark Lawrence has painted himself into a corner, which is unfortunate. Having said that, his refusal to GLBT marriages is his right. But by taking this position, one opens a huge can of worms as well as some legal issues with in the church. There are many questions that are now on the playing field. Bishop Lawrence by The National Episcopal Church has no longer any authority as a Bishop. Not only that, some churches have pulled out of the National Episcopal Church and Diocese. In doing so that brings up the issue of property ownership and content. It is my understanding that the Episcopal Church has title of the property and contents.
I ,personal feel that his battle is going to have a devastating effect on the diocese and the National Episcopal Church. The most pressing problems is now who will conduct visitations, preside over diocese conventions, and who will do the rite of confirmation. It will be interesting to see how the November 17th convocation will pan out. My prayer is that all will pause and take a deep breath, pray and fast for this meeting and cool heads will prevail. I am reminded the everything should be done in decency and order. and that the Holy Spirit will prevail and that we are to obey those in authority over us. God is a God of order not of chaos. Pastor Kaye +

It's sad to me that an article about the inner workings of a religious organization has turned into such an argument over gay marriage.

The two issues should be completely separate, in my opinion. Unfortunately the "religious right" forgot that the separation of church and state was for the protection of the church, and they have allowed the government to take over so many areas of society that used to be handled by voluntary interactions between people, churches, aid groups, etc.

Long story short: marriage should be a personal/religious issue. The government should have nothing to do with it. It's really disgusting that you have to get a license from the government to be "married" when you take a step back and think about it.

I will stick to my Bible.......thank you very much!

The southern churches broke away 150 years ago too to support slavery. Nothing much changes in South Carolina. I lived there for a while and it was full of bigots and rednecks. It seemed that half their TV programming was ranting fundamentalist - a hellhole!