tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post4045909725142367172..comments2024-03-12T08:04:47.314-07:00Comments on Naming His Grace: Tricia Dykers Koenig, "Marriage and the Book of Confessions" more than unconstitutional Viola Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09146967423654966140noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-49813331656298181922014-04-01T09:25:22.893-07:002014-04-01T09:25:22.893-07:00While it is true that last GA's moderator made...While it is true that last GA's moderator made that decision, that could change with a new advisor and moderator, but more importantly, even if the overture is voted on in debate the case could still be made that we would have a constitutional crisis if it passes. And we would. Viola Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146967423654966140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-75460016106847315132014-04-01T08:08:39.662-07:002014-04-01T08:08:39.662-07:00Viola, from my understanding of what the GA Modera...Viola, from my understanding of what the GA Moderator has said (backed up the by Stated Clerk), there is literally nothing the GA cannot vote on. When it comes to considering an overture, there is nothing that can be ruled out of order, regardless of how it conflicts with the Book of Confessions. Essentially, although the BoC is called "Part 1 of the Constitution," in reality it is treated like a reference resource. It has no authority to constrain what a majority of any particular GA feels like doing.<br /><br />John Erthein<br />DeFuniak Springs, FLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-56216236220100635662014-03-30T20:13:39.122-07:002014-03-30T20:13:39.122-07:00I believe he was hoping people like you would not ...I believe he was hoping people like you would not have so much glee: )<br />Viola Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146967423654966140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-36619090983465979272014-03-30T20:12:40.710-07:002014-03-30T20:12:40.710-07:00Yes, John that is from what I was referring.
He al...Yes, John that is from what I was referring.<br />He also wrote another to clarify and affirm what he had said. It can be found here: http://douthat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/06/on-persecution/Viola Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146967423654966140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-15398214361396200202014-03-30T19:41:00.135-07:002014-03-30T19:41:00.135-07:00You are right, I do take some glee in al this. How...You are right, I do take some glee in al this. However, let us not forget that Douthat also wrote in that column: "I am being descriptive here, rather than self-pitying. Christians had plenty of opportunities — thousands of years’ worth — to treat gay people with real charity, and far too often chose intolerance. (And still do, in many instances and places.) So being marginalized, being sued, losing tax-exempt status — this will be uncomfortable, but we should keep perspective and remember our sins, and nobody should call it persecution."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-50063443314862503992014-03-30T16:24:29.495-07:002014-03-30T16:24:29.495-07:00John, funny you should bring Ross Douthat up, he i...John, funny you should bring Ross Douthat up, he is my favorite NYT columnist. Have you read his book <i>Bad Religion: How we became a nation of Heretics</i>? And I read that column. <br /><br />It sounds like you have some glee over this, but I don't think that Douthat was suggesting that he thought it was a good thing. Instead he was just suggesting that the American church must realize that losing their tax exemption or business, etc. is a minor inconvenience compared to the drastic persecution of Christians in other lands. Viola Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146967423654966140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-89920964668367412822014-03-30T09:16:27.778-07:002014-03-30T09:16:27.778-07:00Viola - your posting highlights the problem that ...Viola - your posting highlights the problem that many churches will be having now that same sex marriages are heading for approval nation-wide. <br /><br />Conservative Catholic Ross Douthat, a NYT columnist , wrote in a column titled, "The Terms of Our Surrender"(March 1, 2014): "We are not really having an argument about same-sex marriage anymore, and on the evidence of Arizona, we’re not having a negotiation. Instead, all that’s left is the timing of the final victory — and for the defeated to find out what settlement the victors will impose."<br /><br />With this change coming in secular society, what will the churches do? The PCUSA will be having this discussion at this summer's General Assembly. In this discussion I am certainly willing to show as much grace to evangelical and orthodox Presbyterians as they have shown us over these many years.<br /><br />John McNeese<br />Ponca City, OKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com