Dean of Washington’s National Cathedral: It’s a Sin to Oppose Homosexuality

[Ромејац]

WASHINGTON – The dean of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. claimed during his weekly address this past  Sunday that it is a sin to oppose homosexuality.

The message was part of a weekend tribute to the homosexual youth at the National Cathedral, and a commemoration of the death of Matthew Shepherd, whose slaying sparked the passage of the federal “hate crimes” bill signed into law by Barack Obama in 2009. During his speech, Gary Hall blamed churches across the country for influencing American beliefs about homosexuality.

“We must now have the courage to take the final step and call homophobia and heterosexism what they are. They are sin. Homophobia is a sin. Heterosexism is a sin. Shaming people for whom they love is a sin,” Hall asserted. “Only when all our churches say that clearly and boldly and courageously will our LGBT youth be free to grow up in a culture that totally embraces them fully as they are.”

He proceeded to claim that churches that oppose homosexuality produce a culture that is harmful to children.

 

 

“It’s more than tragic—in fact it’s shameful—that faith communities, especially Christian ones, continue to be complicit in putting our children at risk and abetting the attitudes that oppress them, thereby encouraging the aggressors who would subject our children to pain, humiliation, and violence,” Hall stated.

In an interview with reporters following the message, Hall said that he believes that “sexual orientation is a gift, and the religious question should be about how they responsibly use that gift.”

However, Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality says that Hall’s comments are indicative of a nation that is exemplifying Isaiah 5:20, which rebukes those who state that evil is good, and that good is evil.

“Gary Hall of the National Cathedral is sinning when he claims that opposition to homosexuality is a sin,” he told Christian News Network. “This is counterfeit Christianity in action—transferring the guilt before God from those who are committing sins (of which homosexuality is one) to those who oppose those sins.”

“Obviously, ‘hating’ homosexuals or being so fearful that you fail to offer the hope of the Gospel to people caught up in homosexual sin is wrong, but that’s not what Hall is talking about here,” LaBarbera continued. “He is ‘redefining Christianity’ and sin itself in a way that flips the truth of the Word of God on its head. … The danger is that this new heretical ‘sin-affirming Christianity’ is spreading in the evangelical Church.”

He noted that many such as Hall do not seek to defend other sexual behaviors that they know are sinful, but single out homosexuality as being somehow exempt from God’s law.

“They are not calling porn addiction a ‘gift from God,’ or preaching against ‘adultery-phobia.’ Once again, it’s only homosexuality—one of the best marketed sins in the history of the world—that is gaining favor in the corrupt Church,” La Barbera lamented. “Genuine Christians need to stand against this heresy and champion the real work of Christ in our culture, such as the many men and women who have left homosexuality behind as born-again believers.”

As previously reported, the National Cathedral pealed its bells this past June for nearly an hour in celebration of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a key section of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Hall also publicly participated in Washington’s homosexual pride march in 2010.

 

http://christiannews.net/2013/10/08/dean-of-washingtons-national-cathedral-its-a-sin-to-oppose-homosexuality/

[Ромејац]

National Cathedral Peals Bells, Holds Prayer Service to Celebrate Homosexual ‘Marriage’ Ruling

 

 

WASHINGTON – The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. pealed its bells yesterday for nearly an hour in celebration of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a key section of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Dean Gary Hall issued a statement yesterday praising the court for its ruling, and explaining why the Cathedral was clanging its bells to mark the occasion.

“We are ringing our bells at the Cathedral to celebrate the extension of federal marriage equality to all the same-sex couples modeling God’s love in lifelong covenants,” he said. “Our prayers for continued happiness are with them and with all couples who will be joined in matrimony in the years to come, whether at Washington National Cathedral or elsewhere.”

Hall stated that he believes Christians should welcome same-sex “marriage,” and that doing so would serve to demonstrate one’s faith in Christ.

“Today’s rulings advance civil marriage equality, but they should also serve as a call for Christians to embrace religious marriage equality. Countless faithful Christians have lived out their lives in committed same-sex relationships, and we have seen the fruits of their fidelity in our families, our congregations and our communities. If we use this historic moment to see more clearly how their faithfulness contributes to the common good, we will better be able to walk with our LGBT sisters and brothers as an act of Christian faith.”

At noon yesterday, the Washington Ringing Society pealed the bells in the ‘Gloria in Excelsis’ central tower, as did Episcopalians, Methodists and Presbyterians in the city, according to CBS News.

Hall also scheduled a special prayer service Wednesday evening at the Cathedral, inviting homosexuals throughout Washington to attend. Prior to the service, a number of ministers from the nation’s capital participated in a press conference to speak about why they believe that homosexuals should be allowed to marry. Linda Kaufman of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, Dwayne Johnson of Metropolitan Community Church, Rabbi Jessica Oleon of Temple Sinai and Dr. Dennis Wiley of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ were among those present.

However, as previously reported, a number of other Christian groups across the country issued statements yesterday expressing mourning and disappointment that our nation is further turning away from God and His Law.

Michael Marcavage of the Philadelphia-based evangelistic ministry Repent America called the ruling “an act of high treason against the holy, Most High God.”

“The reason why Christians fought to oppose attempts to redefine the Biblical institution of marriage is because we love God and our neighbor,” he said. “We love children and don’t want them to be raised in a nation that teaches them that it is permissible to live however one pleases. If God is not the standard of absolute truth, then who is?”

“Romans 13 declares that those in civil government are to be ministers of God for good, not evil,” Marcavage continued. “Despite the court’s ruling, it is not — and never will be — a marriage before God, but only a mirage.”

Rusty Thomas of Elijah Ministries in Waco, Texas likewise condemned the decision as being an offense against God.

“Our nation’s rulers keep poking their fingers in the eye of our holy God and they are going to find out the hard way that the Supreme Court is not supreme,” he said. “There is a court above them, where every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

“Even though our political leaders may reject Him and defy Him, God is the ultimate sovereign wherefrom all authority is derived,” said Joe Glover of Family Policy Network in Forest, Virginia. “Even in the wake of such an offensive and immoral Supreme Court decision, the Christian’s primary duty has not changed. … [We] will continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and unbelieving nation. We will do so on every battle front, including that of homosexuality.”

[Никола Поповић]

Is this a protestant church, National Cathedral? 

[Никола Поповић]

hahaha! well isn't it?

 

па ја као да буде на енглеском, одкуд знам? хахахах