Pastor Won’t Marry Heterosexuals
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Tue, November 15, 2005
- Viewed 42
- (18) comments so far
Pastor David Ensign of Clarendon Presbyterian Church says he'll perform "commitment celebrations" for heterosexual couples but they won't carry the weight of law. Ensign is giving up his authority to perform marriages on the state's behalf.
The pastor tells The Washington Post his conscious had been nagging him because he says Virginia's marriage laws are unjust and unequal.
The move comes as the General Assembly is set to take up for the second time a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.
The Clarendon church is a member of Presbyterian Church USA. A spokesman for the National Capital Presbytery says Ensign likely won't face any punishment.
This just in from the Associated Press: ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - A Presbyterian Church pastor in Arlington is protesting Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage by ending traditional marriages at his church, too…
Comments
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Brian La Croix on Tue, November 15, 2005
Wow, I get to be the first one! Woo hoo!
All I can say is this: I’m not surprised.
It’s stupid, but not surprising. My guess is that the members of his church who want to get married will finally get the idea that this person has no clue regarding the Biblical definition of marriage.
Brian
Royce Smith on Tue, November 15, 2005
Why are you wasting our time by publishing the antics of people whose denominations have completely walked away from the authority of the Bible? Giving press to people like this gives them the attention they want. Why not give us their email address so we can write and urge them to resign from the ministry and quit giving Christianity a bad name?
RevJay on Tue, November 15, 2005
After reading over the web site of the church and the pastor’s bio, I have come to the conclusion that this poor soul needs salvation. Let us all pray for his soul and the unfortunate members of his church who have probably never heard a gospel message of salvation in the ministry of this man. RevJay
Pastor Dan on Wed, November 16, 2005
What a shame that this man pretends to represent Christ and to minister in His name. he is a disgrace to the cause of Christ.
This is just another reminder for all of us to never compromise the standard of God’s word in any area of our lives and ministry.
Rev. Wright on Wed, November 16, 2005
Good for you Pastor Ensign! I am tired of my homosexual and lesbian friends being discriminated against and having NO rights when it comes to property issues and end of life rights!
You are causing a stir and I admire your passion and standing up for your convictions!
Rev. Rebekah on Wed, November 16, 2005
Thank you for supporting our gay and lesbian friends and standing in solidarity with them as they continue to fight for human rights.
Rev. Alan on Wed, November 16, 2005
This has nothing to do with religion. Pastor Ensign is trying to prove a point—that marraige comes with many adventageous rights. In this country, I thought that having equal rights for all law abiding citizens was a good thing. Descrimination written into our State constitutions? My faith, as a Christian, tells me to do no harm no matter a person’s sexual identity, race, etc. What does yours say about descrimination? Many Christians have gone out with well thought out plans and voted to hold back equal rights from tax paying Americans.
Peter Hamm on Wed, November 16, 2005
“This has nothing to do with religion”
Really?… Equal rights are important. I don’t want anybody go be discriminated against… But this is NOT a political statement when it comes from a minister, and the reason he is able to make this statement is that he is ACTING, or refusing to, in his position AS a minister.
But by denying the “sacrament” of marriage in the manner he is, this minister is making a statement, whether he means it or not, that he finds nothing wrong, from a religious standpoint, with same-sex marriage. Many in his denomination, as well as outside, will take exception with that, and if one takes the infallibility and innerancy of Scripture literally, then it is difficult at best to back up his “statement.”
That is why, in my opinion postings on this topic are about to turn ugly… (Let’s not be “rude” people… Love never is…) Brace yourself, Todd!
That said… We are all sinners, Jesus loves us all! He doesn’t love everything we do, but he loves us just the same…
Todd on Wed, November 16, 2005
That’s ok, Peter… that’s why I’m here. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
The purpose of this post (and posts like this) are to keep us aware. I do think it’s important that as church leaders we are aware of the cultural wars and moral wars that are going on around us.
Of course, this usually does inevitably end up in some kind of fight or division. And, as I’ve said before… that’s ok… just respect those who disagree with you and we’ll all be fine.
We’ve had a somewhat rational conversation about homosexuality here before; but when it comes down to the scriptures that so many of us point to that condemn homosexuality; those in favor of this ‘alternative lifestyle’ back off; wishing rather to talk about feelings and circustances than from the biblical meaning.
That gets frustrating. But I still find it fascinating to have an open discussion that doesn’t turn hostile.
Nuff said.
http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Todd
Rev. Alan on Wed, November 16, 2005
Peter, I appreciate your thoughts and I think you make a good point that this minister was making both a political and a religious/theological statement. I failed to make myself clear that when I was referring to this ‘not being a religious issue’ I meant the Propostions that have been passed were not religious issues. On a political level, I beleive to deny rights to taxpayers is wrong and unchristian. There will always be ministers and lay people alike who disagree on the morality of homosexuality and they have the right to turn down a couple asking for a Civil Union. I only protest when we right these things into our laws.
Rev. Alan on Wed, November 16, 2005
Forgive all the mispellings above. BTW, Todd, good even-handed web-site. You’ve done well at presenting the issues without clouding them up with your own opinions, etc. Thanks. It is a rare find these days.
Leila on Mon, November 28, 2005
He needs prayer for Salvation!
Pastor OH on Mon, November 28, 2005
You would wonder who is he serving the state or God and by whose authority is he marrying people God or the state . And by whom was he called to Preach the Gospel the State or God. Of course the Bible speaks of the fact in the last day perilous times will come and that the devil will even try the very elect of God. I think its all a pubilicity gimmick but he has to remember its not about him but its about God and he will have to answer and give account to God.
Jon Fistarus on Thu, April 13, 2006
The minister should hang his head in shame. He is not following the teachings of the bible. The bible says man should not lie with man as with a women, the bible says that if a wife is not a virgin on her wedding night she should be put to death, the bible says if you wear clothe of not the same fabric you should be put to death, the bible says that if a child does not obey his parents he should be put to death.
This minister is wrong and should be put to death. Isn’t the bible a wonderful thing?
Matt on Fri, April 14, 2006
...ok…um…
...jon…maybe you should clarify your sarcasm…
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