History is not only being made, but we live in a time that future generations will see as a revolution. One day, in retrospect, the Stonewall riot that began on June 28, 1969 may be as revered and as dreaded as October 31, 1517, the day Martin Luther hammered his gripes on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.
"It seems we are at the moment of fracture," the Rev. William Murdoch told the Boston Globe. Murdoch heads up a group of churches in New England that are leaving their various denominations to form a new union founded on the issue of homosexuality.
ABC News reports, "The debate over whether gays should be ordained is getting louder and more rancorous throughout denominations across the country and is threatening to rip apart congregations. [The] issue of ordinating homosexuals threatens schism in mainline churches."
The December 12 UK Telegraph reports, "In a dramatic escalation in the Church of England's civil war over homosexual clergy, scores of evangelical churches will break their historic links with liberal bishops who oversee their parishes. The deepening of the conflict represents the ultimate protest by conservative clergy against liberal bishops' support for homosexual priests who have used the Civil Partnerships Act to marry their boyfriends. Up to 100 churches have said that they intend to split from their bishops...That is likely to mark only the beginning of the schism..."
It will be very difficult for most of us to imagine - and shocking for many others - that acceptance of homosexuality and sexual diversity is responsible for something as huge as a Second Protestant Reformation, but the accumulation of facts may soon make it undeniable. Stonewall may take on a significance far exceeding it's meaning to the gay community.
Article comments
1 - Sam
Hi, I truly agree that this will be a reformation type event. The fact that social justice and equality should be modeled by the church and not fought has been blurred. The truth of scripture must be re-revealed as Luther did. The church has once again detoured into regulation and organization. My hope is that society can come together and unite in this endeavor as much as possible.
2 - Baronius
I see the analogy. Luther didn't set out to destroy his society; he lacked the foresight to understand the consequences of his actions. But he is responsible for the damage he did, because he knew he was being disobedient. He was only concerned with soothing his feelings of guilt. His pride ruined the lives of generations.
3 - D'oh
"destroy his society" - complete bunch of shit.
No one is talking about destroying anything, just that a portion of human beings be accepted and recognized as having the same rights as the rest of us.
Why is this even a problem?
Now, people from some persuasions try and drag otu excerpted portions of Leviticus to try and justify themselves and the bigotry that ensues.
But do those same folks know the rest of the "abominations" listed in Leviticus? Shellfish, wearing more than a single type of clothing material and a huge heap of other silliness is there, and ignored.
Try
this bit out anytime anyone tries to give you biblical shit from Leviticus.
Oh yes, and being "disobedient" is how the vast majority of human progress has occurred. Especially when it comes to the imposed stagnation that the Church has habitually advocated, you know, like why they called them the "Dark Ages"
4 - god
hey i completely disagree with u.one reason for protestant revolution was rampant homosexuality among celibate priests.gods wrath will come on you as WW3 false christians unless u repent!visit christstar.blogspot.com
5 - Christstar
Homosexuality is sin just as idolatary is sin.There are sins of varying levels.Jesus says sins against holyspirit will never be forgiven.These are high level sins.Also remember if ur sins are not forgiven u will rot in hell fire for all eternity.May the spirit open ur eyes.
6 - Christstar
Vatican created comunism but movment went out of their hand and is now destroying western society in the form of feminism,gay marriages.