On the other hand, the assembly turned aside attempts to convey the PCUSA's blessing upon same-sex marriages.

The votes were close, reflecting the divided state of the denomination. The deletion of "fidelity and chastity" passed by a 53 to 46 percent margin. The proposals to redefine marriage were sidelined in a 51 to 49 percent vote. The assembly voted instead to send out for study around the denomination two documents on civil union and Christian marriage, one upholding the church's confessional teaching on the marriage of man and woman and the other putting all views of marriage on a level and urging "mutual forbearance."

The "fidelity and chastity" standard has been the subject of 4 nationwide presbytery votes in the last 14 years. It has been affirmed in all those votes.

Alan Wisdom, IRD's Vice President for Research and Programs and Director of its Presbyterian Action committee, commented:

"These votes are not a cause for rejoicing. Leaders of the PCUSA are still confused about the biblical teaching that channels sexual expression through the marriage of man and woman. But we can take comfort that people in local Presbyterian churches do uphold the teaching. They have proven that in 4 votes over the past 14 years to confirm the 'fidelity and chastity' standard for church officers. It is unfortunate that we will have to summon them again to defend that biblical standard in another set of presbytery votes over the coming year. But defend it they will.

"The decision to shelve attempts to redefine marriage was a relief. The sexual revisionists had seemed to have a solid majority to enact their agenda at this assembly. They had taken down 'fidelity and chastity' and they were gunning for marriage last night. But somehow, by God's grace, they came up short. The commissioners took a second look and decided that they weren't ready to tinker with this sacred institution established by God in creation and blessed by Jesus himself. We give thanks for that reprieve, but know that we have much work to do in helping Presbyterians and others to reappropriate the beautiful heritage of biblical teaching about how God brings together man and woman in marriage."

Alan Wisdom's paper "Is Marriage Worth Defending?" and articles on the PCUSA Special Committee on Civil Union and Christian Marriage are viewable on the IRD website. Wisdom is on site in Minneapolis and available for media interviews.

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MINNEAPOLIS: Presbyterian gay measures criticized by visiting pries

By Associated Press
July 09, 2010

An Orthodox Church theologian who was invited to greet the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has criticized its approval of non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy.

The Reverend Siarhei Hardun of Belarus said that vote and efforts to approve gay marriage looked to him like an attempt to "invent a new religion -- a sort of modern paganism."

Hardun added, "When people say that they are led and guided by the Holy Spirit to do it, I wonder if it is the same Holy Spirit that inspired the Bible."

The Orthodox priest's remarks drew applause from conservative Presbyterians who made similar arguments at the gathering in Minneapolis.

END