Church denomination makes ruling to recognize gay marriage скачать в хорошем качестве

Church denomination makes ruling to recognize gay marriage

CINCINNATI (Larry Davis) -- After years of debate, a large Protestant denomination is recognizing gay marriage.The Presbyterian Church USA is expanding its definition of marriage to say that marriage is, between two, people, traditionally a man and a woman.While the greater Cincinnati area is predominantly Catholic, there are over 12,000 Presbyterians in the area. The Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church has been at the forefront of the pro-gay marriage movement for years. Church leaders are applauding the PCUSA's decision. But issues surrounding homosexuality have caused friction in the church and not everyone likes the decision to recognize gay marriage. The Presbyterian Church USA's decision to recognize gay marriage is welcome news to Knox Presbyterian Associate pastor Jana Reister. Pastor Reister says the decision gives ministers in the denomination a freedom of conscience. They can elect to marry or not to marry gay couples. Over the years, members of the Presbyterian Church have been at odds over the ordination of gays as church officers and whether they can be married in the church. It forced some churches to leave PCUSA. Some Presbyterian members formed their own churches, like the Evangelical Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield Township. Pastor Rich Lanning opposes the PCUSA's decision. More conservative members see it as an error because they interpret the Bible as saying marriage is between a man and a woman. Those in the Presbyterian Church USA are open-minded. Church leaders are asking members to have mutual respect for those who have theological differences and to let those disagreements play out. Follow Larry Davis on Twitter @larrydaviswkrc, and LIKE him on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter @Local12 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates!