Gay clergy pro or con?

Abdul Alhazred · #1 08-17-2005, 01:40 AM

A big deal in the more liberal religious denominations today is the question of gays being in the clergy.

This is mostly Christians and Jews, with a few one-offs such as Unitarians.

Some say yes, some are debating it,

In some cases tearing their denominations apart.

Those who have definitely said no are not liberal, though even in such as the Roman Catholic Church some are dissenting.

Please don't just vote, please post your denomination or philosophy and your reasons as well.

No this isn't a scientific poll in any way, no pretense of that. Just want to see the temper of the forum.

I am voting "Foul priestcraft is wrong regardless".

This poll will be running concurrently in SC and JREf, feel free to vote both places as well, if so inclined.

It is a seven day poll. Any answer after that will be ignored.

HighOnHotSauce · #2 08-17-2005, 02:00 AM

I voted yes, (Pro) I have no problem with gay persons being involved in some religious group, organization or cult in any capacity. I consider myself a Taoist atheist. It matters nothing to me if people are gay or not or whether or not they are clergy. If I belonged to some organized group of Taoist (although I see little need) and there was a member from whom there was much to learn and she or he was gay I would have no problem with that.

D. Scarlatti · #3 08-17-2005, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abdul Alhazred

"Foul priestcraft is wrong regardless".

Haha. Was there ever any doubt.

Skep · #4 08-17-2005, 03:02 AM

I'm an atheist. I voted 'other'. The manner in which any religious group chooses to organize itself is none of my concern.

Ensign Steve · #5 08-17-2005, 03:04 AM

I feel the same way. Remember when the Pope died and American Atheists or whoever was all up in arms about who the Church decides to canonize? The concensus among atheists I talked to was, "who cares?" :giggle:

ETA: As far as the poll, I abstain.

Ari · #6 08-17-2005, 03:08 AM

Gay clergy for some, miniature american flags for others.

I think in the groups that don't have a hate complex against gays, it's important for them to be recognized as just normal people. For those who do, any acceptance of gays will be evidence liberals are satanic and the end times are near, also known as business as usual.

HighOnHotSauce · #7 08-17-2005, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari

acceptance of gays will be evidence liberals are satanic and the end times are near, also known as business as usual.

viscousmemories · #8 08-17-2005, 03:54 AM

I am non-religious, and voted 'yes' because I oppose any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Abdul Alhazred · #9 08-17-2005, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighOnHotSauce

I voted yes, (Pro) I have no problem with gay persons being involved in some religious group, organization or cult in any capacity. I consider myself a Taoist atheist. It matters nothing to me if people are gay or not or whether or not they are clergy. If I belonged to some organized group of Taoist (although I see little need) and there was a member from whom there was much to learn and she or he was gay I would have no problem with that.

Gay friendliness noted.

Seven days. We'll see.

Abdul Alhazred · #10 08-17-2005, 08:43 AM

Here are links to the other polls. Smack 'em all

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.p...post1871025278
http://skepticalcommunity.com/phpbb2...pic.php?t=6929

seebs · #11 08-17-2005, 08:57 AM

To be picky, I'm not much for clergy as a concept, but I don't see any reason to care where they stick their wee-wee as long as it's consensual and consistent with their church doctrine.

fragment · #12 08-17-2005, 09:50 AM

What viscousmemories said.

Adora · #13 08-17-2005, 10:15 AM

I don't really care for "priestcraft", but I support them if that's what they want. There's no reason for the prejudice against them.

Abdul Alhazred · #14 08-17-2005, 02:14 PM

Quoting me, posted several elsewheres:

Much as I hate anti-gay bigoted religion, when such do not turn to violence, which is most of them, I am equally nauseated by the "God made me gay" crow

Godless Dave · #15 08-17-2005, 04:09 PM

I'm an atheist so I don't have a dog in this fight.

Ensign Steve · #16 08-17-2005, 04:19 PM

A straight atheist at that! :beagle:

Godless Dave · #17 08-17-2005, 06:56 PM

I mean if I ever start my own Church of the Sacred Herb, or something, I'd hate for outside groups to scrutinize our criteria for choosing clergy.

xyza · #18 08-17-2005, 07:16 PM

If it's okay to be sexually active as a priest then does it matter what their sexual orientation is?
At least if they allow them out of the closet then it may stop some of the prejudice, who believes that there are not already gay priests anyway?

Penni · #19 08-17-2005, 08:45 PM

Well, I really believe that there should be no discrimination against gays....but I voted no.

I voted this way because in my dark, shriveled little heart, I am in favor of churches and organized religion (particularly Christian denominations) doing anything that may cause rational people to open their minds to all the other ridiculous things about Christianity with the end goal that the entire religion would implode. I know, I'm totally mean and spiteful. But just like I hope Christianity in general doesn't get away with putting a good face on, I won't fake it and put a good face on myself, pretending that I want Christianity to reform. I don't care about any of the specifics about what religion does with itself, except that I will champion anything I think will contribute to its ultimate decline (only secretly and with close friends, though, because I don't reveal my mean, spiteful shriveled heart to everyone, ya know!).

Stormlight · #20 08-18-2005, 03:34 PM

I voted no ... not because I'm homophobic, but because as a Roman Catholic, I know that priests don't have sex. :innocent:

Well ... at least they should not have sex, so they should not be gay.

livius drusus · #21 08-18-2005, 03:40 PM

You can be gay and celibate, though, Stormlight. There are gay priests doing just that even as we type. :yup:

Abdul Alhazred · #22 08-19-2005, 10:21 PM

Total disclosure here.

I am gay, a strong atheist, and a small 'l' libertarian.

I wouldn't have bothered with this poll if it weren't for the fact that there are denominations tearing themselves apart over this.

godfry n. glad · #23 08-19-2005, 11:55 PM

I'm with Skep.

What do I care if the clergy are cheerful and happy?

It is amusing to me to hear "God loves everybody," and "God hates fags," coming out of the same person's mouth.

I sorta think that if christian congregations are adamant about this due to the Levitican admonition, then they ought to be held to the remaining 612 commandments in the same Old Testament book.

You!.....Yes, you with the cotton blend shirt! You are an abomination in the eyes of the lord. And you, too, shrimp salad eater!

beyelzu · #24 08-20-2005, 12:20 AM

no doubt, godfry. we are in agreement.

I however voted for the foul priestcraft option.