[Magdalen] Bp. Wright OKs same sex weddings

[sally.davies at gmail.com]

Gah, take no notice of email I just sent. Disagreement between Inbox and
full Gmail!!
On Sun, 28 Jun 2015 at 12:37 PM <sally.davies at gmail.com> wrote:

> Well, here's the amazing thing. The understanding of marriage, even in the
> very conservative and cautious RC church, has changed tremendously in
> recent decades.
>
> A concept of personal commitment has replaced the centuries old assumption
> that marriage was about the families, and it's now recognised that whilst
> marrriages can produce and sustain children, that is not the primary
> purpose - after all, many hetersexual marriages are incapable of producing
> children and at times the partners know this before they marry.
>
> For me the pertinent facts are just two: firstly, people do not choose to
> be gay or lesbian, as Gail said people have lives not lifestyles.
>
> And secondly, the problem is not sex, it is love. The moral and spiritual
> expression of sexuality is a challenge for people today as it has always
> been, whether we are gay or straight. That does not change. Promiscuity is
> OUT. But love?? That is a game changer.
>
> It is not for nothing that the ancient world revered Love as a deity in
> itself - when it strikes you there is no fighting back. And I'm not talking
> about passing lusts or forms of self delusion, but the real thing, love
> between two people that lasts a lifetime and as Shakespeare says "alters
> not where it alteration finds".
>
> Sexuality is but an expression of "the marriage of true minds", a
> necessary one for the vast majority of people who are sexually wired (a
> significant minority is not and for them celibacy is fine though they may
> still value constant companionship).
>
> So there we have it. Scripture simplifies everything to do with sex, for
> the simple reason that it comes from a culture and era that was utterly
> patriarchal, where women were chattels and had no say in their own
> marriages.
>
> The Way of Jesus started an engine of change, fuelled by the Holy Spirit,
> which began to make a difference immediately and has continued to do so,
> though frequently opposed by the "rulers of this world" who seek oppression
> and confinement (the "spirit of slavery").
>
> And on the topic of spirit and spirituality, it may come as a surprise to
> some (though not to me) that there are churches - we have one in South
> Africa, in Pretoria - that are full on Evangelical and Charismatic,
> on-fire, tongue talking, God praising, faith-storming spirit filled and
> miracle expecting - that are also gay-welcoming with gay and/or lesbian
> leadership.
>
> In New Testament times, radical change in attitude followed when Jewish
> leaders such as Peter and Paul saw the Holy Spirit poured out on
> communities that they had considered outsiders or aliens. You realise that
> whilst you may think you're defending God's Kingdom, your attitude is
>
> I read about this church in a wonderful book introduced by Archbishop
> Desmond, called "Aliens in the Household of God". Highly recommended!
>
> Sally D
>
> On Saturday, June 27, 2015, Zephonites--- via Magdalen <
> magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:
>
>> David
>>
>> If sexual intercourse is per Scripture for marriage and marriage  is for
>> pro-creation, then I am afraid it certainly is relevant.
>>
>> Are you saying that when you perform a gay marriage that it is a celibate
>> relationship?
>>
>> Blessings
>> Martin
>>
>> In a message dated 27/06/2015 17:24:45 GMT Daylight Time,
>> magdalen at herberthouse.org writes:
>>
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 6/27/2015 11:36:32 A.M. Eastern Daylight  Time,
>> magdalen at herberthouse.org writes:
>>
>> David
>>
>> Well it  does actually.
>>
>> God calls same sex  intercourse an abomination  (Lev 18:22) >>>>
>>
>>
>> But apparently, there is no SPECIFIC  scriptural  condemnation of
>> same sex marriage.
>>
>> Marriage and  intercourse are not the same.  I thought we had  gotten
>> beyond  this confusion, but I guess not.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> David  Strang.
>>
>>
>>
>>