Lutheran Group Addresses Marriage Issue

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 2:51 p.m. ET
NEW YORK (AP) -- A task force drafting a statement on sexuality for the nation's largest Lutheran group said Thursday that the church should continue defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
However, the panel 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 already 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.
Called a ''Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality,'' the report is a wide-ranging study of Christian views on sexual morality, premarital sex, domestic abuse and families.
But the most anticipated part of the document was whether the task force would recommend equal standing for gay and heterosexual couples in the 4.8 million-member church.
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.
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While many view this as an incremental step forward for the LGBT community, The Luthern Church still has a long way to go. In the meantime too much spiritual oppression and violence is being directed toward the LGBT community. This has a serious negative impact on youth who are trying to come to terms with their religion and their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Come see the film "For the Bible Tells Me So" which will be shown at The Journey Museum in Rapid City on April 5th at 6:30 pm. (O.M.)