DEAR EDITOR:
Pertaining to the article appearing on the front page of the
Dispatch on Wednesday, Feb. 25, I found the comments made by the
United Methodist Pastor, Ted Pecot, and William Power Clancey,
Rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, to be deeply
troubling.
DEAR EDITOR:
Pertaining to the article appearing on the front page of the Dispatch on Wednesday, Feb. 25, I found the comments made by the United Methodist Pastor, Ted Pecot, and William Power Clancey, Rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, to be deeply troubling. First and foremost, as church leaders (clergy, teachers, pastors, priests, etc.) we are called to a higher standard.
Those who are placed in a position of authority to speak and instruct the people have a solemn responsibility in representing God. Failing to speak out to dissuade people from harmful lifestyles means that as pastor’s leaders, and teachers, we will be responsible for the harm, heartache and even loss of life “listeners” might experience.
Romans 1:18-27 describes clearly the homosexual lifestyle as indecent and harmful. What part of this is open to interpretation? One of the main arguments today is that a person is born with homosexual genes. Even if that were true, is that supposed to mean that all people with a propensity to drink should become alcoholics? It is like any other addiction.
I, personally, have found gay couples to be generous, caring and creative people, some of whom I consider friends. Does that mean I accept their lifestyle? No, but I can love them as valuable people. Clearly, the homosexual lifestyle is no more a sin than an adulteress affair, sex outside of marriage, lying, pride, etc. But a sin is a sin, and we need to call it that!
God ordained marriage between one man and one woman as the foundational building block of society. The homosexual lifestyle makes up approximately 2 to 3 percent of our population. Yet they exert incredible influence politically and socially. Why? Because the truth is not being preached from the pulpit. Because the Christian community has remained silent, not wanting to offend!
Just as there are natural laws, such as gravity, there are also moral laws.
Breaking those results in disastrous consequences, and love should motivate us to care enough to confront. The gay lifestyle isn’t healthy; indeed HIV/AIDS is a worldwide epidemic and millions will continue to die, and many are dying without knowing of God’s saving grace through His son Jesus Christ.
This is why it’s imperative that those in church leadership acknowledge the powerful truth of God’s word and preach it as if lives depend on it, because they do! It must begin in the church! God’s word, The Bible, is our highest authority!
If ever there was a time when our church leaders are called to be bold and passionate about Biblical truths, it is now!
Patricia Behrens, Gilroy
Submitted Thursday, March 11 to ed****@****ic.com
