Episcopalians Vote to End Gay Ban

Episcopalians simply have to give up Christian doctrine to think Christ thought homosexuality is acceptable!

Unless the Episcopal Church provides the same rites of marriage for LGBT couples as offered to heterosexual couples; they simply are another male dominated oppressive religion. No religion should be supported who clings to this medieval prejudice.

To Donna Blaha in Tampa, FL: when ever I read comments such as yours, it brings tears to my eyes and my heart skips a few beats. Your unconditional love for your gay children over the teachings of the church, in my mind are a true representation of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Gay men and women have suffered much over the years at the hands of the church, and some churches have struggled to repair that damage. There will always be those within the church that will hold fast to the traditional teachings, and in the process may lose the love of a gay son or daughter. And ultimately, the church itself becomes fractured which is in itself a sad state affairs as the initial purpose of religion is to unite all in the love of Christ. Bless you, dear woman for your comments, and for your love of not only your children but your love of all equally.

The world is changing before our eyes. Homophobia is disappearing slowly, but surely. The reactionary holdouts who are too rigid to change, fundamentalists of every stripe (the Westboro Baptist church comes to mind here), will be more & more isolated; shrinking islands of bigotry in a sea of tolerance. I personally know many Catholics and a few Mormons who disagree with their own church teaching on this. So, don't be too discouraged by the anti-gay ranting from those decrepit old farts who hold power in the church hierarchy; they may pretend to speak for all their members, but they don't! Consider this: a few years ago, gay marriage won by popular vote in the approx 90% Catholic nation of Spain. The bishops, etc., pulled-out all the stops in a futile effort to defeat it: "its a sin," "unnatural," "immoral," "you'll go to hell," "ITS THE FREAKING CHURCH TEACHING FOR CHRISTSAKES!" It mattered not. The good Catholics of Spain knew in their hearts what was right, and voted "si"!

Like Rey, I was raised Catholic & should join the Episcopalian Church as well, except I live in Fort Worth.

I left the Catholic Church long ago and became an Episcopalian. I am a straight woman who raised my two children as Episcopalians. Although neither of my children are church-goers, I felt the Episcopal Church was progressive and open-minded and didn't fill their heads with hang-ups and guilt. Both of my children are now grown, and both are gay. I am happy I did not raise them Catholic. That church has always been homophobic and hostile toward women. I would not support any church that discriminates ... that's not the message of Christ.

As a quasi-Episcopalian (partner is one...), I have sat back and watched with amusement at the last two priests that we have had, both of whom have had affairs with parishioners and left the church as a result. I can only assume that's more family values at play? Anyway, I do have a vested interest in all of this as our particular church did, apparently, hold a same-sex commitment ceremony and a lot of discussion resulted (the old money members were not happy, but it apparently didn't bother the younger members). Anyway, I wish they would just allow gay/lesbian priests and Bishops, it would just be so much easier. It's going to happen eventually and perhaps it's best that the Church let those antiquated backward thinking zealots break away (and, leave the church assets behind).

I won't give one penny to a church or attend a church unless their religion allows gay/lesbian marrriages. That is the Unitarian Universalists, United Church of Christ, Metropolitan Church of Christ, Reformed Jews, and Conservative Jews. All other religions need to change their bigoted policies or lose their tax exempt status in my opinion. P.S. - If the Episcopals ever do allow same-sex marriage and some bigoted churches rebel, let them leave the US church, but leave the church property and belongings behind.

Time for the Methodists to get in line.

Yay! I may join the Episcopalian church if this keeps up. (Raised Catholic and definitely NOT loving it)