Thanks for those observations, Nevitt. I'll just add a quick comment (have to get ready for church :-) > I also think, however, that this is a > difficult position to defend scripturally. My suspicion is that those > who claim that scripture does not treat homosexuality as a sin have > to resort to a lot of rather fancy footwork and very careful > "analysis" of particular passages. Personally, I would "defend" it > through a rather skeptical and deconstructive theological view that > leaves most of Christian theology in smoking ruins. So, my view will > not be much help toward dealing with the conference. People often describe a welcoming theology as "not taking the bible literally" or "explaining the bible away". I don't think that's accurate. Everyone selects; everyone has to choose. It's the nature of the game. Biblical arguments against homosexuality tend to select passages about homosexuality and take those passages literally. But they usually don't take others literally: ban on pork, ban on images of God, what to do when there's mold in your house, women covering their heads in worship, only men teaching men, approval of slavery, polygamy, etc. So the question is, *how* do you take the bible seriously? Where do you put your focus? And *how* do you decide where to put your focus? Mennonites have a mixed track record on this score. We have a brilliant record on things like focusing on compassion, and on community discernment in the spirit. At the same time we have a dismal record in our tendency to define particular clothing or tools as worldly or righteous. That doesn't answer the question, does it? At least it ssuggests that we need lots of community discussion on issues like this in order to work out an appropriate position. My opinion: I think that because of what we've learned from science and other kinds of research, we should say that we Christians were wrong to call homosexuality a sin and repent from the oppression we have caused. I think it's appropriate now to hold that the biblical ideals of faithfulness apply to both straights and gays. I have also experienced that this kind of affirming congregational stance brings lots of rich resources into the church. Exclusion makes us weaker. Steve ------- Austin Mennonite Church, (512) 926-3121 www.mennochurch.org To unsubscribe: use subject "unsubscribe" sent to amc-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx