A huge step forward for same sex marriage happened this week. The Presbyterian Church, in the United States, have decided that they will change their constitution that marriage “is between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.” This will mean that same sex couple will be allowed to have their weddings in Presbyterian churches in states where same sex marriage is legal. Along with this vote the presbyteries voted this past June to allow same sex couple to be married by clergy, again in states that allow same sex marriage, however if the clergy does not want to perform the ceremony in the church they do not have to. This vote in the change in their constitution will be in effect June 21.
There were 171 regional presbyteries that were allowed to vote for the change in the constitution. There were about 86 presbyteries that voted yes this past Tuesday. Though this vote does come with a price for the Presbyterian Church has been losing members for many years now and they have been becoming a part of the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, who seem to be more strict in their teachings of the religion. This vote is probably going to cost more people to leave the Presbyterian Church and become more evangelical.
From the report by The Presbyterian Outlook, it goes into the split reactions to the new change to their constitution. In the report an evangelical is quoted saying “I think we are listening to each other rather than listening to Scripture and the voice of God through Scripture . . . We’ve eroded some of our ability to stand on the teachings of Scripture by this vote.”
While on the other hand the executive director of More Light Presbyterians was quoted saying that “it really feels like an affirmation of their sacred covenant of marriage.” Even though others may leave the church more same sex couples will feel safer to attend service at the Presbyterian Church and may make the congregation grow. Still there are debates if same sex couples being married is against Scripture or not. Those who feel id goes against Scripture are the ones that left and the ones who don;t are the ones who stayed.
Either way the Presbyterian Church has joined the ranks of other churches that allow same sex marriage like Quakers, and United Church of Christ. And this is a change that is needed for this day and age. About 36 states have legalized same sex marriage. If those couples are still religious they may want to get married in a church and if they are a part of these denominations that is completely possible.
By changing the words in their constitution it means that if they were to want to change the language again it would be very difficult. They would have to go through the process of voting again and needing the majority of the vote. So, making this decision is extremely important and carries a heavy weight.
Photo:Marie De Jesus/AP
