Power From The Pulpit

RELIGION NEWS



Religious News (Gay)
Black Pentecostals vote values, but reject ‘religious right’ label
Friday, November 26, 2004


MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Like other evangelical Christians, leaders of the Church of God in Christ want to limit abortion and bar same-sex marriage. But that doesn't mean the predominantly black Pentecostal denomination considers itself part of the “religious right” or supporters of the Republican Party. “I've seen the tone of the religious right,” said G.E. Patterson, the church's presiding bishop. “It seemingly was born out of the fact that African-Americans were making too many gains.” Patterson's church, often referred to simply as COGIC, reports having more than 6 million members across the United States and in 57 countries. While COGIC agrees with white evangelicals that the Bible is the primary source of spiritual authority, its ideas on government social programs and protecting the rights of minorities differ, Patterson said. Bush won the support of 78 percent of white evangelicals, who were stirred in part by issues such as abortion and gay marriage. But Patterson said those issues alone were not enough to bring COGIC into the Republican camp. “There's a lot more to morality than just those two points,” he said.

Pope says attempts to destroy family as institution deeply wounds society
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope John Paul II warned against attempts to tamper with what he called “the irreplaceable” institution of marriage-based family, saying Saturday that such efforts would deeply wound society. John Paul has been an outspoken opponent of gay marriage. His speech to participants in a meeting of the Vatican's council on family matters did not mention any specific issues. But it appeared to refer to moves by some countries and cities to recognize marriage between gays and to grant social benefits deriving from marriage — such as inheritance or pensions — to cohabiting couples who are not married. “Family, based on marriage, is a natural, irreplaceable institution and fundamental element of the common good of every society,” the pope said. “Whoever destroys this fundamental fabric of human coexistence, by not respecting its identity and by distorting its tasks, delivers a deep wound to society and often provokes irreparable damage.”

Church of England leaders ignore same-sex weddings
LONDON — The Civil Partnerships Act, which recognizes same-sex unions, becomes law next year, and, under increasing pressure to conduct gay weddings, Church of England bishops are turning a blind eye to such ceremonies, the Times reported. In England alone, Anglican priests presided over 10 percent more ceremonies to bless lesbian and gay partnerships, according to the Times. The Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement, in response to the rise in gay unions, will increase its printing of same-sex liturgy as officials expect 1,000 blessings each year — compared to this year’s 300 — when the partnerships act becomes law, the newspaper reported.

Muslim parents encouraged to allow gay tolerance teachings
TORONTO — Premier Dalton McGuinty last week advised Muslim parents to allow their children to attend public school classes that include instruction on tolerance of gay men and lesbians, the London Free Press reported. Along with Education Minister Gerard Kennedy, McGuinty tried to reassure parents upset about “anti-homophobia education” approved by the Toronto District School Board at a downtown school, the newspaper reported. “I think it's important all our children have the opportunity to learn about those things that distinguish one of us from the other, and that they learn to respect those differences,” McGuinty told the Free Press. Students at Market Lane public school were shown videos that depicted the feelings of children who are taunted at school because their parents are gay, and the viewings sparked controversy, the newspaper reported. Muslim parents said their children should be excluded from such teachings on religious grounds, and alleged that their religious beliefs are being trampled upon, according to the Free Press.

Pastors organize to protest Ariz. same-sex union ban
PHOENIX — A group of Christian pastors will speak out against efforts to pass a state constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage because members believe it threatens religious liberty in the state and across the country, the Arizona Republic reported. No Longer Silent — Clergy for Justice, a group that includes about 150 members, contends that a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage amounts to persecution of a minority religious group by a majority, the Republic reported.