NWScouter Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) today in its Churchwide Assembly has approved standards for ordained leaders (Pastors) that allow homosexuals to be Pastors while in committed relationships. Previous the rule was that they had to be celibate. The ELCA is the largest Lutheran body in the US and is one of the larger and older religious chartering organizations. Its predecessor bodies had units clear back to 1910. What Im seeing that the present stance of the BSA is in direct opposition to a religious body and how does the BSA reconcile it membership regulations with its statement of religious principles, which state the members faith defines their beliefs and Scouting is not to change it. When a unit is chartered or renews its charter, it has to designate an Institutional Head, depending on the way the constitution of the Lutheran congregation, that could be the lead pastor or the president (lay). The president always could have been a homosexual and now so could the Pastor. It looks like that the BSA needs only to be concerned on the safety of the members when it looks at leadership not at religious tests. Lets have local option for our Charter Organization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal_Crawford Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 The ELCA has approximately 4.7 million members making them the fifth largest religious body in the US. They have almost 10,500 congregations. I can't find a figure for how many BSA units are chartered by ELCA churches but I suspect that it is a significant number. I agree with NW about local option. As Bob Dylan said, the times they are a'changing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evmori Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 And what if the ELCA decided it was OK if ordained pastors had sex with dogs? Would that make it OK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal_Crawford Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Why would they do that Ed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fgoodwin Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 I'm not Lutheran, I'm Episcopalian (another denomination going through similar issues), but I like BSA membership policies just the way they are. If an ELCA (or ECUSA) church doesn't want to charter a Boy Scout Troop, they don't have to. But they shouldn't impose their views on BSA (I'm not saying they are). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evmori Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Makes no difference why Hal. Would their endorsement make it OK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GernBlansten Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Ed, you must have been in Rick Santorum's district. I just love that man on dog angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal_Crawford Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Of course not, Ed; animals are incapable of consent. Why do you equate homosexuality with bestiality? Do you believe that homosexuals are not human? Hal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GernBlansten Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 One good thing to come from this is the potluck dinners might have more flair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal_Crawford Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 What? Are you saying that Tater Tot Hotdish lacks a certain "je ne sais quois"? (If I spelled that right my HS French teacher has just died and gone to heaven). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packsaddle Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 The real risk and real danger here is a creeping tendency toward health food and (dare I say it?) vegetarianism. It will be interesting to see if the ELCA eventually has the same experience with BSA as the UUA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evmori Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Of course not, Ed; animals are incapable of consent. Why do you equate homosexuality with bestiality? Do you believe that homosexuals are not human? I'm not equating homosexuality with bestiality nor do I believe or ever state homosexuals are not human. What I am asking is if the ELCA said and ordained pastor could participate in bestiality would that make it OK? Stop trying to spin it your way Hal & answer the question! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal_Crawford Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Ed: No it wouldn't make it OK, which I already said, BTW. Neither would it make murder right if they said that pastors could kill people. But they don't and they wouldn't. It is apples and oranges and you know it. And that ain't spin. Hal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortridge Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 This is a stupid question ... but does the Institutional Head/Chartered Organization Head have to be a registered member of the BSA? Or just the COR? I'm not seeing a position code on the adult application ... don't know if it's covered by the recharter process or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evmori Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Well then Hal, since the ELCA is allowing homosexuals to become pastors, does that make homosexuality OK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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