Being Episcopalian: Gay Rights

by Holly, ChicagoNow.com

Gay rights. I believe they have the right to all the legal protection that hetero people have...but the theology? That's murky to me.

While cleaning up one of my older blogs to prepare it for my ePortfolio, I stumbled across a post I made about moral theology of gay rights. Here's what I wrote back in January:

Bluntly put, I’m not sure yet about ecclesiastical recognition of gay marriage. I lean toward “no” because that’s what I grew up with, and I stick with my pre-set levels until I get the chance to read more about the issue, before I consider changing my mind...So, I’m not ruling out completely changing my mind about ecclesiastical recognition.

But civil recognition of gay marriage? YES. If two consenting people want to affirm their committed relationship, then that is their prerogative. Perhaps they’re liberal Episcopalians. Perhaps they’re liberal Jews. Perhaps they’re moderate but believe that gay relationships are acceptable. Perhaps they’re even atheist. Whatever the faith or lack thereof, if other people want to exercise their right or their religious beliefs, they have the right to make the most of it. That’s the beauty of this country. We can’t let any one religion or denomination overrule any other.

That is why I am so surprised that the US Bishops are making such a huge deal about gay marriage.

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