Changes

The Episcopal Church, the U.S. version of the Anglican Church, is divided over homosexuality and same-sex '''marriages.''' This is expressed in the ''Report of the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church''. This also states that "The Church vigorously denounces  discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation, [4.5]  An example of this was seen in 2005, when six priests faced being defrocked by the Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut because of their refusal to abide by the ECUSA's practice of ordaining homosexuals and conducting same-sex blessing ceremonies.  One of the six, Christopher Leighton of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Darien, confirmed there was a deep chasm between conservative priests and leaders of the diocese over biblical authority. "The Bible's very clear," he stated, "that the only acceptable expression of intimacy, in human beings, is between a man and a woman for life, and we call it holy wedlock. And the recent decisions of the Episcopal Church fly in the face of the scriptures and of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and world Christianity."<ref>http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/5/52005c.asp</ref>

The Episcopal Church, the U.S. version of the Anglican Church, is divided over homosexuality and same-sex '''marriages.''' This is expressed in the ''Report of the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church''. This also states that "The Church vigorously denounces  discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation, [4.5]  An example of this was seen in 2005, when six priests faced being defrocked by the Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut because of their refusal to abide by the ECUSA's practice of ordaining homosexuals and conducting same-sex blessing ceremonies.  One of the six, Christopher Leighton of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Darien, confirmed there was a deep chasm between conservative priests and leaders of the diocese over biblical authority. "The Bible's very clear," he stated, "that the only acceptable expression of intimacy, in human beings, is between a man and a woman for life, and we call it holy wedlock. And the recent decisions of the Episcopal Church fly in the face of the scriptures and of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and world Christianity."<ref>http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/5/52005c.asp</ref>

However, most opposition to the revisionist movement comes from outside the West. "Anglican groups in North America, Central America, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand and Southern Africa tend to lean toward an inclusive view of homosexuality. However, a majority of Anglican churches in Africa (where a major number of Anglican churches are located) and the West Indies hold that the Bible states that homosexuality is a sin, and they are threatening to leave the Anglican Church if the church continues to condone homosexual behavior."<ref>http://christianteens.about.com/od/homosexuality/f/EpisAngHomosexu.htm (liberal)</ref>  Peter Karanja, of the All Saints Cathedral Church in Nairobi, Kenya, may be seen as summing up the opposition in stating,  "We cannot be in fellowship with them when they violate the explicit Scripture that the Anglican Church subscribes to. It's outrageous and uncalled for."<ref>Time magazine, Aug. 11, 2003</ref>  

Episcopal conservatives have formed a rival church, the Anglican Church in North America. However, most opposition to the revisionist movement comes from outside the West. "Anglican groups in North America, Central America, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand and Southern Africa tend to lean toward an inclusive view of homosexuality. However, a majority of Anglican churches in Africa (where a major number of Anglican churches are located) and the West Indies hold that the Bible states that homosexuality is a sin, and they are threatening to leave the Anglican Church if the church continues to condone homosexual behavior."<ref>http://christianteens.about.com/od/homosexuality/f/EpisAngHomosexu.htm (liberal)</ref>  Peter Karanja, of the All Saints Cathedral Church in Nairobi, Kenya, may be seen as summing up the opposition in stating,  "We cannot be in fellowship with them when they violate the explicit Scripture that the Anglican Church subscribes to. It's outrageous and uncalled for."<ref>Time magazine, Aug. 11, 2003</ref>  

The attitude of the Episcopal Church toward homosexuality is partly seen in its reaction to the election of an openly gay, non-celibate priest, [[Gene Robinson]], the father of two grown daughters who had lived openly with another man for 13 years, as Bishop. On June 7 2003, the [[New Hampshire]] diocese of the Episcopal Church elected Robinson as its Bishop. The national church approved this, with 62 of 107 bishops convening at the  General Convention in Minneapolis, Minn. on Aug. 5, voting to support the canon. Robinson met his current partner in 1988, and their house was blessed by Bishop Douglas Theuner. In 2008 they were legally "married" under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, with Robinson claiming to be a June "bride."  Robinson later revealed that he struggled with [[alcoholism]] for years. <ref>[http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2167942/posts Robinson's speech: Divisive, as expected]</ref><ref>http://lifeanddoctrine.blogspot.com/2009/01/bishop-gene-robinson-rick-warren-barak.html</ref><ref>Gay Episcopal Bishop Prepares for June Wedding, U/Miami News Service, December 4, 2007</ref>  In April, 2005, Robinson promoted Planned Parenthood  targeting "people of faith" to promote abortion rights and comprehensive sex education. He also attacked traditional interpretations regarding [[homosexuality and the Bible]], and exhorted, "The story of freedom in Exodus is our story. ... That's my story, and they can't have it."<ref>Gay bishop backs Planned Parenthood, The Washington Times, April 15, 2005</ref>  Robinson's ordination and his positions here are seen to manifest a "different Jesus" and Spirit (2Cor. 11:4; Jude 1:4,11,12).

The attitude of the Episcopal Church toward homosexuality is partly seen in its reaction to the election of an openly gay, non-celibate priest, [[Gene Robinson]], the father of two grown daughters who had lived openly with another man for 13 years, as Bishop. On June 7 2003, the [[New Hampshire]] diocese of the Episcopal Church elected Robinson as its Bishop. The national church approved this, with 62 of 107 bishops convening at the  General Convention in Minneapolis, Minn. on Aug. 5, voting to support the canon. Robinson met his current partner in 1988, and their house was blessed by Bishop Douglas Theuner. In 2008 they were legally "married" under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, with Robinson claiming to be a June "bride."  Robinson later revealed that he struggled with [[alcoholism]] for years. <ref>[http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2167942/posts Robinson's speech: Divisive, as expected]</ref><ref>http://lifeanddoctrine.blogspot.com/2009/01/bishop-gene-robinson-rick-warren-barak.html</ref><ref>Gay Episcopal Bishop Prepares for June Wedding, U/Miami News Service, December 4, 2007</ref>  In April, 2005, Robinson promoted Planned Parenthood  targeting "people of faith" to promote abortion rights and comprehensive sex education. He also attacked traditional interpretations regarding [[homosexuality and the Bible]], and exhorted, "The story of freedom in Exodus is our story. ... That's my story, and they can't have it."<ref>Gay bishop backs Planned Parenthood, The Washington Times, April 15, 2005</ref>  Robinson's ordination and his positions here are seen to manifest a "different Jesus" and Spirit (2Cor. 11:4; Jude 1:4,11,12).

More recently, the Episcopal Church's triennial national convention in Anaheim, Calif., passed a resolution allowing for the ordination of gay bishops. Though officials did not created liturgical rites to bless same-sex unions, they approved a compromise measure that allows bishops, especially in states where same-sex unions are legal, to bless the relationships.<ref>Washingtonpost.com,  July 18, 2009;  "Episcopal Bishops Can Bless Gay Unions"</ref>

In 2009, the Episcopal Church's triennial national convention in Anaheim, Calif., passed a resolution allowing for the ordination of sodomite bishops. Though officials did not created liturgical rites to bless same-sex unions, they approved a compromise measure that allows bishops, especially in states where same-sex unions are legal, to bless the relationships.<ref>Washingtonpost.com,  July 18, 2009;  "Episcopal Bishops Can Bless Gay Unions"</ref>

 

On May 15, 2010, the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of [[Los Angeles]] ordained lesbian Mary Glasspool, of Baltimore, before 3,000 people, who burst into applause at the end.<ref>Associated Press, May 15, 2010</ref> <ref>http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100514/episcopal-church-set-to-ordain-lesbian-bishop/print.html</ref> This is the first time a lesbian ha been ordained in any church calling itself Christian, it being contrary to the source of the term, the Bible, (Acts 11:26) which condemns homosexuality, and which also upholds the headship of the man.<ref>http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/WOMENPASTORS.html</ref>

===Assemblies of God===

===Assemblies of God===