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MercyBurst
18th August 2007, 11:34 AM
I have re-written my blog post.

Protestant Church of the Namby-Pamby (http://scripturerefinersfire.blogspot.com/2007/08/church-of-namby-pamby.html)

Preamble

Jesus died for sinners. The purpose of the church is to spread this redeeming message to all sinners. Everyone sins and comes short of the mark. The church is supposed to be open to all sinners. Some of them just happen to be homosexuals. Homosexuals can be saved by Jesus Christ like any other sinner, just as the apostle Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 6:11 (http://www.htmlbible.com/kjv30/B46C006.htm#V11)
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Christians welcome homosexuals to church, but we do not welcome doctrine that promotes a sinful lifestyle. Some liberal-leaning churches have embraced sin rather than the sinner and that is what this article is about.

Introduction

I hesitate to use a label like "namby-pamby" for our liberal-leaning protestant church denominations. I don't want to offend someone, but the description seems to fit. Merriam-Webster's defines it as "an insipid weakling who is foolishly sentimental." The picture here is a church that lacks a biblical message, and its purpose is to make the members feel good about themselves, and about their sinful lifestyles. No change is needed in the heart of the believer, rather everyone is being told they are fine just like they are -- that Jesus took care of it all -- or even worse than that -- nobody was a sinner to start with.

Biblical Background

Someone might ask why the sin-affirming liberal-doctrine is so bad. There are many answers but let me present one that gives the picture. It's the Church at Corinth, and it's in the bible. This church was well known for its temple prostitutes and sexual perversions. As the bible put it -- even the world shuddered about the Church at Corinth. The apostle Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 5:1 (http://www.htmlbible.com/kjv30/B46C005.htm#V1)
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

Yes, a sickening picture where fornication was rampant. The Church of Corinth was utterly destroyed. Today, there is no Church of Corinth -- there are NO NEW MEMBERS. A dead church has NO MEMBERS, nobody sitting in the pews, nobody even preaches there anymore. And a dead church is measured by its MEMBERSHIP -- members keep a church alive. Are we getting the picture?


Attendence Statistics

Looking at the attendance numbers, it is clear that the liberal wing of the church is dieing. The following attendance statistics came from Church Executive Magazine (http://www.churchexecutive.com/) regarding the main line American church denominations.

The winners typically have taken the more conservative approach regarding the sin-pandering gay doctrine:

24. The Orthodox Church in America, 1,064,000 members, reporting an increase of 6.40 percent.
10. Assemblies of God, 2,779,095 members, reporting an increase of 1.81 percent.
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5,999,177 members, reporting an increase of 1.74 percent.
1. The Catholic Church, 67,820,833 members, reporting an increase of .83 percent.

Churches with no change:

5. The Church of God in Christ, 5,499,875 members, no increase or decrease reported.
6. National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., 5,000,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
8. National Baptist Convention of America, 3,500,000, no increase or decrease reported.
11. African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
12. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, 2,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
13. Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., 2,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported
16. Churches of Christ, 1,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
17. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 1,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
18. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., 1,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
19. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 1,432,795 members, no increase or decrease reported.
22. Baptist Bible Fellowship International, 1,200,000, no increase or decrease reported.
23. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, 1,071,615 members, no increase or decrease reported.

Some of the losers are conservative and some are not:

20. American Baptist Churches in the USA, 1,432,840, reporting a decrease of .57 percent.
3. The United Methodist Church, 8,186,254 members, reporting a decrease of .79 percent.
14. The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), 2,463,747, reporting a decrease or 1.01 percent.
2. The Southern Baptist Convention, 16,267,494 members, reporting a decrease of 1.05 percent.
25. Jehovah's Witnesses, 1,029,902 members, reporting a decrease of 1.07 members.


The worst losers are all very gay-affirming:

7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 4,930,429, reporting a decrease of 1.09 percent.
15. Episcopal Church, 2,463,747, reporting a decrease of 1.55 percent.
9. Presbyterian Church (USA), 3,189,573 members, reporting a decrease of 1.60 percent.
21. United Church of Christ, 1,265,786, reporting a decrease of 2.38 percent.

News and Headlines

The news headlines and analysis tell us why the membership numbers are falling for these churches:


" Nashville's largest predominantly gay and lesbian church is joining a national Protestant denomination that has seen dozens of churches leave in the last year because of its support for same-sex unions.Holy Trinity Community Church in west Nashville officially will join the United Church of Christ in an installation ceremony Sunday. "


"The just-elected Episcopal presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, is a one-woman combination of all these things, having voted for Robinson, blessed same-sex couples in her Nevada diocese, prayed to a female Jesus at the Columbus convention and invited former Newark, N.J., bishop John Shelby Spong, famous for denying Christ's divinity, to address her priests."


"Katherine Schori, leader for the Episcopal Church denomination, calls homosexuality a gift rather than sin as Gene Robinson is ordinated."


"Who we are... Gay-affirming Baptists? No, this is not an oxymoron! American Baptist pastors decided that it was time to stand up and declare their affirmation of glbt people. AWAB members are Baptist churches, organizations, and individuals who have gone on record as being welcoming and affirming of all persons, without regard to sexual orientation."


"Church defies Presbyterian order to ban gay preachers."


"NEWS ANALYSIS: Methodists Divided on Gay Rights
Church leaders anguish over same-sex unions."


"Yet many conservative Presbyterians believe that passage of the so-called Fidelity and Chastity Amendment will end more than two decades of division over homosexuality. Describing the ordaining of gays as a "direct challenge of the scriptures," the Rev. Jack Harderer (http://www.cnn.com/US/9703/23/gay.preachers/harderer.jpg), a supporter of the amendment, said, "It has boiled down to the real watershed issue: (do) we believe in the authority of the scripture or do we not?"


"Lutheran leaders look to ease stance on gay pastors.


The Lutheran proposal, which is being spearheaded by Bishop Margaret G. Payne of Massachusetts, would maintain an official requirement that gays and lesbians abstain from homosexual relationships in order to qualify as ministers. But it would allow local church leaders to "refrain from disciplining" congregations that disregard that requirement and hire "partnered" gay or lesbian pastors."


"three years ago, the Presbyterian Church USA, at its general assembly in Birmingham, Ala., was turning itself into the laughingstock of the blogosphere by tacitly approving alternative designations for the supposedly sexist Christian Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Among the suggested names were "Mother, Child and Womb" and "Rock, Redeemer and Friend." Moved by the spirit of the Presbyterian revisionists, Beliefnet blogger Rod Dreher held a "Name That Trinity" contest. Entries included "Rock, Scissors and Paper" and "Larry, Curly and Moe." "

"The Presbyterian Church USA is famous for its 1993 conference, cosponsored with the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other mainline churches, in which participants "re-imagined" God as "Our Maker Sophia" and held a feminist-inspired "milk and honey" ritual designed to replace traditional bread-and-wine Communion. "


"When a church doesn't take itself seriously, neither do its members. It is hard to believe that as recently as 1960, members of mainline churches — Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans and the like — accounted for 40% of all American Protestants. Today, it's more like 12% (17 million out of 135 million). Some of the precipitous decline is due to lower birthrates among the generally blue-state main liners, but it also is clear that millions of mainline adherents (and especially their children) have simply walked out of the pews never to return. "


"When your religion says "whatever" on doctrinal matters, regards Jesus as just another wise teacher, refuses on principle to evangelize and lets you do pretty much what you want, it's a short step to deciding that one of the things you don't want to do is get up on Sunday morning and go to church."


"Despite the fact that median Sunday attendance at Episcopal churches is 80 worshipers, the Episcopal Church, as a whole, is financially equipped to carry on for some time, thanks to its inventory of vintage real estate and huge endowments left over from the days (no more!) when it was the Republican Party at prayer. Furthermore, it has offset some of its demographic losses by attracting disaffected liberal Catholics and gays and lesbians. The less endowed Presbyterian Church USA is in deeper trouble. Just before its general assembly in Birmingham, it announced that it would eliminate 75 jobs to meet a $9.15-million budget cut at its headquarters, the third such round of job cuts in four years. "


"The Anglican Communion is made up mostly of Bible-believing conservatives, while the majority of Episcopal parishes are characterized as liberal. The Episcopal Church has lost thousands of members over the years. Once 4 million strong, the church now has 870,000 parishioners, Schofield said."


Analysis

The following analysis comes from Rasmussen Reports. In summary the liberal congregations support the ordination of gay-lesbian pastors, but the supporting members typically don't attend church. The gay-pastorate doesn't get them back in church either.

From Rasmussen Reports June 30, 2006

Churchgoers Disapprove of Gay and Lesbian Pastors 86% Agree Government Should Stay Out of It.

Is it appropriate for gay and lesbian church members to serve as pastors and bishops in a Christian Church? Two thirds (67%) of those who attend Church weekly say no. Just 27% of those faithful worshippers say yes.

Self-identified Evangelical Christians oppose gay and lesbian pastors by an 80% to 15% margin. Other Protestants oppose such pastors by a 2-to-1 margin while Catholics are nearly evenly divided.

The only demographic group to favor gay and lesbian pastors are those who rarely or never attend church. Among this segment of the population, 49% believe such pastors are appropriate. Thirty-nine percent (39%) disagree.

Among those who attend churches that are growing, just 26% believe it is appropriate to appoint gay and lesbian church leaders. Sixty-six percent (66%) are opposed.

Opinion is more evenly divided in churches with declining attendance.Forty-four percent (44%) of those in declining churches say it is appropriate for gay and lesbian leadership appointments. Forty percent (40%) disagree.

Episcopal Meltdown

This section will be devoted specifically to the Episopal Church's delimma. Excerpts come from Reverend Earl Fox and his blog on the The Road to Emmaus (http://theroadtoemmaus.org/RdMp.htm).

Episcopal Crisis (http://www.theroadtoemmaus.org/RdLb/32Ang/Epis/Crisis.htm)

This is a reflective write-up by Tucker Carlson, episcopalian, news anchor, commentator, and pundit for MNBC. It looks at the progressive downward spiraling path taken by anglican leadership in america.


Why the Episcopal Church has Self-Destructed (http://theroadtoemmaus.org/RdLb/32Ang/Epis/ECUSASlfDstrct.htm)

"Bishop William Winterrowd ("In the Head, but not the Heart" 6/4/06), makes, I think, precisely the error which has brought the Episcopal Church to its demise -- pitting the legislative against the reconciliation mode, thus putting unity above truth. "

The Episcopal Tragedy and the Coming of Clarity (http://theroadtoemmaus.org/RdLb/32Ang/Epis/EpscTrgdy.htm)

"I am an Episcopal priest who has labored in that vineyard for over forty years, now watching the Church I loved and cherished self-destruct. There will be a resurrection of sorts, that is a division with one side conforming, more or less, to orthodoxy."

Conclusion

Jesus died for sinners, and that includes all of us. Carnal doctrine, on the otherhand, preaches that we are not sinners or that sin no longer matters. Sin-pandering "gay theology" is carnal preaching at its worst. If you claim the name of Christ I hope you haven't fallen for this destructive lie.

Homosexuals have a moral challenge that is difficult. Don't surrender them to satan by telling them it's ok to practice this sexual perversion. It doesn't matter what humanistic psychologists or political special interests say about it. They aren't the experts on morality -- God is.

Don't be a Christian that goes for PC instead of JC. The bible is clear on this issue. There IS NO debate. Those that raise issues with the bible translations show their own ignorance. The bible and Jewish history both tell us in very clear terms that sex with the same sex IS SIN under ALL circumstances.

Good day and God bless.

MrJim
19th August 2007, 10:32 AM
Wow, pretty nice job there MB

I think I would move the UMC & the ABCUSA outta the "conservative" column...I go to ABCUSA and it does tend to lean a bit to the left. UMC definitely is left.

MercyBurst
20th August 2007, 08:27 AM
Wow, pretty nice job there MB

I think I would move the UMC & the ABCUSA outta the "conservative" column...I go to ABCUSA and it does tend to lean a bit to the left. UMC definitely is left.

Thanks MrJim. As you can tell, I have labored for the truth. I need to write a conclusion for this article. I'll send you a blog link.

-MB

tulc
26th August 2007, 01:42 PM
About the only thing I wouldn't agree with would be this part:
I hesitate to use a label like "namby-pamby" for our liberal-leaning protestant church denominations. I don't want to offend someone, but the description seems to fit. Merriam-Webster's defines it as "an insipid weakling who is foolishly sentimental." The picture here is a church that lacks a biblical message, and its purpose is to make the members feel good about themselves, and about their sinful lifestyles. No change is needed in the heart of the believer, rather everyone is being told they are fine just like they are -- that Jesus took care of it all -- or even worse than that -- nobody was a sinner to start with.
...because no one calls someone a namby-pamby and isn't trying to offend them. :) Otherwise it seems to sum up what you honestly believe. :)
tulc(just a thought) ;)

MrJim
26th August 2007, 05:57 PM
About the only thing I wouldn't agree with would be this part:

...because no one calls someone a namby-pamby and isn't trying to offend them. :) Otherwise it seems to sum up what you honestly believe. :)
tulc(just a thought) ;)

It is an odd name~what would tulc recommend:idea: ?

tulc
26th August 2007, 07:16 PM
Well being a liberal I would just call it the gospel but I did go to dictionary.com and plugged namby-pamby into the thesaurus and these came up:
banal, bland, flat, inane, innocent, innoxious, inobnoxious, inoffensive, insipid, jejune, kind, milk-and-water, namby-pamby, painless, safe, sapless, unobjectionable, unoffending, weak
were it me? I'd pick "kind" but "sapless" I thought gets the message across and isn't as offensive, what do you think? :scratch:
tulc(who loves words!) ;)

MrJim
26th August 2007, 07:25 PM
Well being a liberal I would just call it the gospel but I did go to dictionary.com and plugged namby-pamby into the thesaurus and these came up:

were it me? I'd pick "kind" but "sapless" I thought gets the message across and isn't as offensive, what do you think? :scratch:
tulc(who loves words!) ;)

Church of the Sapless^_^ ?

Church of the Jejune works, since few know what that even means...

Greeble
28th August 2007, 07:41 AM
I stopped reading at "namby pamby"

MercyBurst
30th August 2007, 01:50 PM
Church of the Sapless^_^ ?

Church of the Jejune works, since few know what that even means...

The branch with no sap withered and died. I kind of like the analogy.

How about "The Church of the Withered Branch?"

MercyBurst
30th August 2007, 01:53 PM
I stopped reading at "namby pamby" Why is that?

MercyBurst
30th August 2007, 02:48 PM
PS everbody -- I added a conclusion to the OP.

tulc
30th August 2007, 04:04 PM
The branch with no sap withered and died. I kind of like the analogy.
Kind of thought you would, to me it's less...rude? then namby-pamby, and still gets what you (I think) are trying to get across. :)

How about "The Church of the Withered Branch?"
That's not bad either. :)
tulc(hey striving for good writing is always admirable) ;)

MercyBurst
30th August 2007, 04:26 PM
Kind of thought you would, to me it's less...rude? then namby-pamby, and still gets what you (I think) are trying to get across. :)


That's not bad either. :)
tulc(hey striving for good writing is always admirable) ;)

How about this thread tulc, do you ave any ideas on it:

http://foru.ms/t5884596-church-of-the-nambla-pambla.html

kiwimac
30th August 2007, 04:30 PM
Apart from the fact that you are equating church SIZE with 'righteousness' it seems ok.

tulc
30th August 2007, 05:16 PM
How about this thread tulc, do you ave any ideas on it:

posted there! ;)
tulc(kind of liked it actually) :)

MercyBurst
30th August 2007, 08:28 PM
Apart from the fact that you are equating church SIZE with 'righteousness' it seems ok.


The mormon church is in the "growing category." I don't feel that religion is entirely righteous.

MercyBurst
30th August 2007, 08:31 PM
posted there! ;)
tulc(kind of liked it actually) :)

The pedo-priests aren't you cup of tea either. Good for you.

BlackSabb
16th September 2007, 04:04 AM
I have re-written my blog post.

Protestant Church of the Namby-Pamby (http://scripturerefinersfire.blogspot.com/2007/08/church-of-namby-pamby.html)

Preamble

Jesus died for sinners. The purpose of the church is to spread this redeeming message to all sinners. Everyone sins and comes short of the mark. The church is supposed to be open to all sinners. Some of them just happen to be homosexuals. Homosexuals can be saved by Jesus Christ like any other sinner, just as the apostle Paul wrote:


Christians welcome homosexuals to church, but we do not welcome doctrine that promotes a sinful lifestyle. Some liberal-leaning churches have embraced sin rather than the sinner and that is what this article is about.

Introduction

I hesitate to use a label like "namby-pamby" for our liberal-leaning protestant church denominations. I don't want to offend someone, but the description seems to fit. Merriam-Webster's defines it as "an insipid weakling who is foolishly sentimental." The picture here is a church that lacks a biblical message, and its purpose is to make the members feel good about themselves, and about their sinful lifestyles. No change is needed in the heart of the believer, rather everyone is being told they are fine just like they are -- that Jesus took care of it all -- or even worse than that -- nobody was a sinner to start with.

Biblical Background

Someone might ask why the sin-affirming liberal-doctrine is so bad.


Now to begin, I do not accept the homosexual lifestyle. Just to be clear. Your article was very indepth, no question about that.

Now if I had more time, I might do a similar article about how many deaths were caused by fundamentalists as opposed to liberals.

How many liberals isolated themselves in communes and had shoot outs with the authorities, and burned themselves down or poisoned themselves en masse?

How many liberals throughout history killed fundmantalists for their fundamentalist heresy, and burned them at the stake?

How many wars and crusades in history were created by liberals attempting to subvert the fundamentalist hoardes?

How many liberals allied themselves with unGodly, political, racial and nationalist organisations, in the name of their liberal Christianity? Organisations such as the communists, KKK and the Nazis?

How much of society today is in fear, loathing and trepidation by the word "liberal" as opposed to the word fundmametalist. When you ask the average person in the street who they associate religious violence, persecution and terrorism with, is the answer liberals, moderates or fundmantalists? I think you know the answer.

Let's do an indepth analysis of this and shed some light on who is really worse and who has a more appalling track record throughout human history: liberals or fundamentalists.

NewGuy101
16th September 2007, 04:36 AM
deleted

BlackSabb
16th September 2007, 05:42 AM
Black Sabb, please correct me if I'm wrong but you don't fit the definition of conservative as stated in this forum. If so please don't refrain from debating.

Thank You.


http://foru.ms/showthread.php?p=38709006#post38709006


Ok then, I won't refrain from debating. Thank you.

NewGuy101
16th September 2007, 01:42 PM
Ok then, I won't refrain from debating. Thank you.

I'm sorry I thought we were in the main section, as far as I know liberals can debate here.

BTW your response was very disrespectful, you knew what I ment.

BlackSabb
17th September 2007, 03:36 AM
I'm sorry I thought we were in the main section, as far as I know liberals can debate here.

BTW your response was very disrespectful, you knew what I ment.


Sorry, I didn't mean that. I was hoping you would see the funny side of it.

Samuel_Rigby
25th September 2007, 10:49 PM
I have re-written my blog post.

Protestant Church of the Namby-Pamby (http://scripturerefinersfire.blogspot.com/2007/08/church-of-namby-pamby.html)

Preamble

Jesus died for sinners. The purpose of the church is to spread this redeeming message to all sinners. Everyone sins and comes short of the mark. The church is supposed to be open to all sinners. Some of them just happen to be homosexuals. Homosexuals can be saved by Jesus Christ like any other sinner, just as the apostle Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 6:11 (http://www.htmlbible.com/kjv30/B46C006.htm#V11)
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Christians welcome homosexuals to church, but we do not welcome doctrine that promotes a sinful lifestyle. Some liberal-leaning churches have embraced sin rather than the sinner and that is what this article is about.

Introduction

I hesitate to use a label like "namby-pamby" for our liberal-leaning protestant church denominations. I don't want to offend someone, but the description seems to fit. Merriam-Webster's defines it as "an insipid weakling who is foolishly sentimental." The picture here is a church that lacks a biblical message, and its purpose is to make the members feel good about themselves, and about their sinful lifestyles. No change is needed in the heart of the believer, rather everyone is being told they are fine just like they are -- that Jesus took care of it all -- or even worse than that -- nobody was a sinner to start with.

Biblical Background

Someone might ask why the sin-affirming liberal-doctrine is so bad. There are many answers but let me present one that gives the picture. It's the Church at Corinth, and it's in the bible. This church was well known for its temple prostitutes and sexual perversions. As the bible put it -- even the world shuddered about the Church at Corinth. The apostle Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 5:1 (http://www.htmlbible.com/kjv30/B46C005.htm#V1)
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

Yes, a sickening picture where fornication was rampant. The Church of Corinth was utterly destroyed. Today, there is no Church of Corinth -- there are NO NEW MEMBERS. A dead church has NO MEMBERS, nobody sitting in the pews, nobody even preaches there anymore. And a dead church is measured by its MEMBERSHIP -- members keep a church alive. Are we getting the picture?


Attendence Statistics

Looking at the attendance numbers, it is clear that the liberal wing of the church is dieing. The following attendance statistics came from Church Executive Magazine (http://www.churchexecutive.com/) regarding the main line American church denominations.

The winners typically have taken the more conservative approach regarding the sin-pandering gay doctrine:

24. The Orthodox Church in America, 1,064,000 members, reporting an increase of 6.40 percent.
10. Assemblies of God, 2,779,095 members, reporting an increase of 1.81 percent.
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5,999,177 members, reporting an increase of 1.74 percent.
1. The Catholic Church, 67,820,833 members, reporting an increase of .83 percent.

Churches with no change:

5. The Church of God in Christ, 5,499,875 members, no increase or decrease reported.
6. National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., 5,000,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
8. National Baptist Convention of America, 3,500,000, no increase or decrease reported.
11. African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
12. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, 2,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
13. Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., 2,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported
16. Churches of Christ, 1,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
17. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 1,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
18. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., 1,500,000 members, no increase or decrease reported.
19. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 1,432,795 members, no increase or decrease reported.
22. Baptist Bible Fellowship International, 1,200,000, no increase or decrease reported.
23. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, 1,071,615 members, no increase or decrease reported.

Some of the losers are conservative and some are not:

20. American Baptist Churches in the USA, 1,432,840, reporting a decrease of .57 percent.
3. The United Methodist Church, 8,186,254 members, reporting a decrease of .79 percent.
14. The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), 2,463,747, reporting a decrease or 1.01 percent.
2. The Southern Baptist Convention, 16,267,494 members, reporting a decrease of 1.05 percent.
25. Jehovah's Witnesses, 1,029,902 members, reporting a decrease of 1.07 members.


The worst losers are all very gay-affirming:

7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 4,930,429, reporting a decrease of 1.09 percent.
15. Episcopal Church, 2,463,747, reporting a decrease of 1.55 percent.
9. Presbyterian Church (USA), 3,189,573 members, reporting a decrease of 1.60 percent.
21. United Church of Christ, 1,265,786, reporting a decrease of 2.38 percent.

News and Headlines

The news headlines and analysis tell us why the membership numbers are falling for these churches:


" Nashville's largest predominantly gay and lesbian church is joining a national Protestant denomination that has seen dozens of churches leave in the last year because of its support for same-sex unions.Holy Trinity Community Church in west Nashville officially will join the United Church of Christ in an installation ceremony Sunday. "


"The just-elected Episcopal presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, is a one-woman combination of all these things, having voted for Robinson, blessed same-sex couples in her Nevada diocese, prayed to a female Jesus at the Columbus convention and invited former Newark, N.J., bishop John Shelby Spong, famous for denying Christ's divinity, to address her priests."


"Katherine Schori, leader for the Episcopal Church denomination, calls homosexuality a gift rather than sin as Gene Robinson is ordinated."


"Who we are... Gay-affirming Baptists? No, this is not an oxymoron! American Baptist pastors decided that it was time to stand up and declare their affirmation of glbt people. AWAB members are Baptist churches, organizations, and individuals who have gone on record as being welcoming and affirming of all persons, without regard to sexual orientation."


"Church defies Presbyterian order to ban gay preachers."


"NEWS ANALYSIS: Methodists Divided on Gay Rights
Church leaders anguish over same-sex unions."


"Yet many conservative Presbyterians believe that passage of the so-called Fidelity and Chastity Amendment will end more than two decades of division over homosexuality. Describing the ordaining of gays as a "direct challenge of the scriptures," the Rev. Jack Harderer (http://www.cnn.com/US/9703/23/gay.preachers/harderer.jpg), a supporter of the amendment, said, "It has boiled down to the real watershed issue: (do) we believe in the authority of the scripture or do we not?"


"Lutheran leaders look to ease stance on gay pastors.


The Lutheran proposal, which is being spearheaded by Bishop Margaret G. Payne of Massachusetts, would maintain an official requirement that gays and lesbians abstain from homosexual relationships in order to qualify as ministers. But it would allow local church leaders to "refrain from disciplining" congregations that disregard that requirement and hire "partnered" gay or lesbian pastors."


"three years ago, the Presbyterian Church USA, at its general assembly in Birmingham, Ala., was turning itself into the laughingstock of the blogosphere by tacitly approving alternative designations for the supposedly sexist Christian Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Among the suggested names were "Mother, Child and Womb" and "Rock, Redeemer and Friend." Moved by the spirit of the Presbyterian revisionists, Beliefnet blogger Rod Dreher held a "Name That Trinity" contest. Entries included "Rock, Scissors and Paper" and "Larry, Curly and Moe." "

"The Presbyterian Church USA is famous for its 1993 conference, cosponsored with the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other mainline churches, in which participants "re-imagined" God as "Our Maker Sophia" and held a feminist-inspired "milk and honey" ritual designed to replace traditional bread-and-wine Communion. "


"When a church doesn't take itself seriously, neither do its members. It is hard to believe that as recently as 1960, members of mainline churches — Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans and the like — accounted for 40% of all American Protestants. Today, it's more like 12% (17 million out of 135 million). Some of the precipitous decline is due to lower birthrates among the generally blue-state main liners, but it also is clear that millions of mainline adherents (and especially their children) have simply walked out of the pews never to return. "


"When your religion says "whatever" on doctrinal matters, regards Jesus as just another wise teacher, refuses on principle to evangelize and lets you do pretty much what you want, it's a short step to deciding that one of the things you don't want to do is get up on Sunday morning and go to church."


"Despite the fact that median Sunday attendance at Episcopal churches is 80 worshipers, the Episcopal Church, as a whole, is financially equipped to carry on for some time, thanks to its inventory of vintage real estate and huge endowments left over from the days (no more!) when it was the Republican Party at prayer. Furthermore, it has offset some of its demographic losses by attracting disaffected liberal Catholics and gays and lesbians. The less endowed Presbyterian Church USA is in deeper trouble. Just before its general assembly in Birmingham, it announced that it would eliminate 75 jobs to meet a $9.15-million budget cut at its headquarters, the third such round of job cuts in four years. "


"The Anglican Communion is made up mostly of Bible-believing conservatives, while the majority of Episcopal parishes are characterized as liberal. The Episcopal Church has lost thousands of members over the years. Once 4 million strong, the church now has 870,000 parishioners, Schofield said."


Analysis

The following analysis comes from Rasmussen Reports. In summary the liberal congregations support the ordination of gay-lesbian pastors, but the supporting members typically don't attend church. The gay-pastorate doesn't get them back in church either.

From Rasmussen Reports June 30, 2006

Churchgoers Disapprove of Gay and Lesbian Pastors 86% Agree Government Should Stay Out of It.

Is it appropriate for gay and lesbian church members to serve as pastors and bishops in a Christian Church? Two thirds (67%) of those who attend Church weekly say no. Just 27% of those faithful worshippers say yes.

Self-identified Evangelical Christians oppose gay and lesbian pastors by an 80% to 15% margin. Other Protestants oppose such pastors by a 2-to-1 margin while Catholics are nearly evenly divided.

The only demographic group to favor gay and lesbian pastors are those who rarely or never attend church. Among this segment of the population, 49% believe such pastors are appropriate. Thirty-nine percent (39%) disagree.

Among those who attend churches that are growing, just 26% believe it is appropriate to appoint gay and lesbian church leaders. Sixty-six percent (66%) are opposed.

Opinion is more evenly divided in churches with declining attendance.Forty-four percent (44%) of those in declining churches say it is appropriate for gay and lesbian leadership appointments. Forty percent (40%) disagree.

Episcopal Meltdown

This section will be devoted specifically to the Episopal Church's delimma. Excerpts come from Reverend Earl Fox and his blog on the The Road to Emmaus (http://theroadtoemmaus.org/RdMp.htm).

Episcopal Crisis (http://www.theroadtoemmaus.org/RdLb/32Ang/Epis/Crisis.htm)

This is a reflective write-up by Tucker Carlson, episcopalian, news anchor, commentator, and pundit for MNBC. It looks at the progressive downward spiraling path taken by anglican leadership in america.


Why the Episcopal Church has Self-Destructed (http://theroadtoemmaus.org/RdLb/32Ang/Epis/ECUSASlfDstrct.htm)

"Bishop William Winterrowd ("In the Head, but not the Heart" 6/4/06), makes, I think, precisely the error which has brought the Episcopal Church to its demise -- pitting the legislative against the reconciliation mode, thus putting unity above truth. "

The Episcopal Tragedy and the Coming of Clarity (http://theroadtoemmaus.org/RdLb/32Ang/Epis/EpscTrgdy.htm)

"I am an Episcopal priest who has labored in that vineyard for over forty years, now watching the Church I loved and cherished self-destruct. There will be a resurrection of sorts, that is a division with one side conforming, more or less, to orthodoxy."

Conclusion

Jesus died for sinners, and that includes all of us. Carnal doctrine, on the otherhand, preaches that we are not sinners or that sin no longer matters. Sin-pandering "gay theology" is carnal preaching at its worst. If you claim the name of Christ I hope you haven't fallen for this destructive lie.

Homosexuals have a moral challenge that is difficult. Don't surrender them to satan by telling them it's ok to practice this sexual perversion. It doesn't matter what humanistic psychologists or political special interests say about it. They aren't the experts on morality -- God is.

Don't be a Christian that goes for PC instead of JC. The bible is clear on this issue. There IS NO debate. Those that raise issues with the bible translations show their own ignorance. The bible and Jewish history both tell us in very clear terms that sex with the same sex IS SIN under ALL circumstances.

Good day and God bless.
This is one of the best posts I've read in a long time! Thanks for this MB!!

Simon_Templar
26th September 2007, 04:14 PM
Now to begin, I do not accept the homosexual lifestyle. Just to be clear. Your article was very indepth, no question about that.

Now if I had more time, I might do a similar article about how many deaths were caused by fundamentalists as opposed to liberals.

How many liberals isolated themselves in communes and had shoot outs with the authorities, and burned themselves down or poisoned themselves en masse?

How many liberals throughout history killed fundmantalists for their fundamentalist heresy, and burned them at the stake?

How many wars and crusades in history were created by liberals attempting to subvert the fundamentalist hoardes?

How many liberals allied themselves with unGodly, political, racial and nationalist organisations, in the name of their liberal Christianity? Organisations such as the communists, KKK and the Nazis?

How much of society today is in fear, loathing and trepidation by the word "liberal" as opposed to the word fundmametalist. When you ask the average person in the street who they associate religious violence, persecution and terrorism with, is the answer liberals, moderates or fundmantalists? I think you know the answer.

Let's do an indepth analysis of this and shed some light on who is really worse and who has a more appalling track record throughout human history: liberals or fundamentalists.
well, liberalism, as it exists today is largely a function of modernist philosophy and as such doesn't really exist much prior to the 14th or 15th century.

Thus to talk about relating the ideas of liberalism to issues prior to that would be like trying to discuss the ancient track record of automobiles.

Even the "liberalism" of the 14th-18th centuries was significantly different than that of today.

For example, I'm a radical conservative/fundamentalist today, but then I would have been considered a radical liberal.

However, looking at your examples from the modern age. Both communism, and nazism were the product of social liberalism and the ideas that produced them are the same ideas that have been accepted by religious liberals.