DMcFadden
Puritanboard Commissioner
A survey published last week offers some interesting insights into the prevailing attitudes toward homosexuality among mainline clergy.
Mainline Protestant clergy are broadly supportive of equality for gay and lesbian Americans, according to a report
released today by some of the nation’s leading researchers on religion and politics. Their conclusions are based on
the most in-depth study ever conducted of theological and political attitudes among Mainline clergy toward lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in the church and society.
“Mainline clergy are generally more supportive of equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans than the general
public,” said Dr. Robert P. Jones, President of Public Religion Research, which conducted the study. “Clergy in
these denominations have wrestled with theological questions around sexuality and report that they’ve been moving
toward more supportive positions on equal rights in society and full inclusion in the church.”
The Clergy Voices Survey (CVS) is the only broad survey of Mainline clergy in seven years, and the most
comprehensive ever in scope. Findings on broad social and political attitudes and behavior during the 2008 election
cycle were released earlier this spring; the report released today analyzes the answers to more than 60 in-depth
questions about attitudes toward sexuality and the role of LGBT people in the church and broader society.
Martin Marty, a leading scholar on Mainline Protestantism, said the "Uncertain Middle" identified in the survey
illustrates a paradox of what he calls Ecumenical Protestantism. "Because it seeks to minister to an ever more
pluralist America and internally diverse church, it concentrates on conversation more than confrontation, dialogue
more than diatribe." Marty says this characteristic "represents one strength of this group of clergy who are wellsuited
to our current task of living justly together amidst our differences."
Mainline Protestants make up 18 percent of all Americans and nearly a quarter of all voters. The CVS surveyed
senior clergy from the seven largest Mainline denominations: United Methodist Church, Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, American Baptist Churches USA, Presbyterian Church USA, Episcopal Church, United Church
of Christ, and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The survey found significant differences across the
denominations on religious and political measures.
And Grymir is STILL in the PCUSA??? Rich, at least the ABC is "only" at the 20% level of approval for gay marriage!
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