Largest Lutheran group in US affirms traditional marriage
But urges respect for gays, lesbians
NEW YORK - A task force drafting a statement on sexuality for the nation's largest Lutheran group said yesterday that the church should continue defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
The panel, however, did not condemn same-gender relationships. The committee expressed regret that historic Lutheran teachings have been used to hurt gays and lesbians, and acknowledged that some congregations accept same-sex couples.
The report released by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is part of the denomination's yearslong effort to bridge internal differences over the Bible and homosexuality.
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a separate, smaller group, is theologically conservative and teaches that same-gender relationships violate Scripture.
Next year, the panel will decide whether to suggest changes in current clergy standards that bar gays and lesbians from being ordained if they are sexually active. After revisions, both proposals will be presented for a vote to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis.
The document released yesterday repeatedly states that sexual intimacy should be reserved for married couples, and condemns sex for personal gratification alone. "The church recognizes the historic origin of the term 'marriage' as a lifelong and committed relationship between a woman and a man and does not wish to alter this understanding," the report says.
The document expressed regret that Lutheran teachings have been used "to tear apart families with gay or lesbian members," and asks all Lutherans to welcome gays and advocate for legal protection for them.
A gay Lutheran group called the document disappointing, as did church members with traditional views of Scripture.
Lutherans Concerned/North America, which represents gays and lesbians, criticized the task force for urging respect for same-gender couples without providing religious rites for them to make a lifelong commitment.
"This draft merely tolerates, rather than celebrates, the presence of same-gender families in the church," said Emily Eastwood, executive director of Lutherans Concerned. "It is inconsistent and insufficient."
Mark Chavez, leader of Lutheran CORE and the WordAlone Network, which represent theological conservatives, argued that the document was not grounded enough in the Bible and could lead the church to allow each synod, or district, to set its own policy on gay clergy.
"It not only doesn't resolve anything, but it's going to make things worse," he said. 