On 6/27/2013 3:29 PM, Tim wrote:

Not really, Harry.

I have a friend who is a pastor of an old line denomination who's beliefs have been steering towards social 'gay rights' for some time. He doesn't believe in 'gay marriage' but stands on the core of 'man and woman'. However, he is afraid that if the deciding powers of the church's national, or state (or even regional) council says he must perform same-sex marriages, then he feels he will be forced to abide. OR, he feels that there is a chance that he could be civilly charged in a discrimination suite, maybe lose his retirement and/or possibly forfeit his ordination license to preach in that denomination.

Seriously.

Complaining that church policy is dictated from above? That's funny...


http://www.clergyproject.org/

On Friday, June 28, 2013 11:12:43 AM UTC-5, thumper wrote:
On 6/27/2013 3:29 PM, Tim wrote:



Not really, Harry.



I have a friend who is a pastor of an old line denomination who's beliefs have been steering towards social 'gay rights' for some time. He doesn't believe in 'gay marriage' but stands on the core of 'man and woman'. However, he is afraid that if the deciding powers of the church's national, or state (or even regional) council says he must perform same-sex marriages, then he feels he will be forced to abide. OR, he feels that there is a chance that he could be civilly charged in a discrimination suite, maybe lose his retirement and/or possibly forfeit his ordination license to preach in that denomination.



Seriously.



Complaining that church policy is dictated from above? That's funny...





http://www.clergyproject.org/

I really don't know where you got the notion that I was directing my comment in such a way, or how your link even applies to what I was speaking of, but I'm glad you posted it anyhow. Because I see a double standard in one of the articles:

From Minister To Atheist: A Story Of Losing Faith
Read full article
April 30, 2012
NPR - by Barbara Bradley Hagerty

"...Teresa MacBain has a secret, one she’s terrified to reveal. “I’m currently an active pastor and I’m also an atheist,” she says. “I live a double life. I feel pretty good on Monday, but by Thursday — when Sunday’s right around the corner — I start having stomachaches, headaches, just knowing that I got to stand up and say things that I no longer believe in and portray myself in a way that’s totally false.”

So, I take it that because Teresa MacBain preaches against her beliefs (or lack of) because she feels forced to in some way (...just knowing that I got to stand up and say things that I no longer believe in and portray myself in a way that’s totally false.”) that she is to be felt sorry for?

Yet threatening to ruin a pastors retirement and/or revoking his ordination to force him to marry homosexuals against his convictions is justifiable?

hmmm.

On 6/28/2013 7:08 PM, Tim wrote:
On Friday, June 28, 2013 11:12:43 AM UTC-5, thumper wrote:

Complaining that church policy is dictated from above? That's funny...
http://www.clergyproject.org/

I really don't know where you got the notion that I was directing my comment in such a way, or how your link even applies to what I was speaking of, but I'm glad you posted it anyhow. Because I see a double standard in one of the articles:

From Minister To Atheist: A Story Of Losing Faith
Read full article
April 30, 2012
NPR - by Barbara Bradley Hagerty

"...Teresa MacBain has a secret, one she’s terrified to reveal. “I’m currently an active pastor and I’m also an atheist,” she says. “I live a double life. I feel pretty good on Monday, but by Thursday — when Sunday’s right around the corner — I start having stomachaches, headaches, just knowing that I got to stand up and say things that I no longer believe in and portray myself in a way that’s totally false.”

So, I take it that because Teresa MacBain preaches against her beliefs (or lack of) because she feels forced to in some way (...just knowing that I got to stand up and say things that I no longer believe in and portray myself in a way that’s totally false.”) that she is to be felt sorry for?

Yet threatening to ruin a pastors retirement and/or revoking his ordination to force him to marry homosexuals against his convictions is justifiable?

hmmm.


It's an organization that assists members of the clergy who no longer
share the ideology of their church administration and need to make a
change. It recognizes the complex practical and social consequences of
such a separation.

Sympathy is not the point.