How Liberalism Harms Churches

February 24, 2012 | Filed under Christianity,Gay Marriage,Leftist Tolerance,Religion,The Religious Left | Posted by

Occasionally, members of the religious left do something that gets reported in the national news. The latest example of such is featured in the FOXNews.com story “Presbyterian minister censured for officiating same-sex marriages”. The story states the following:

The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ruled in a 9-6 verdict issued Tuesday that the Rev. Jane Spahr of San Francisco deliberately violated church law when she conducted the marriage ceremonies in 2008.

. . . The six members who voted against censuring Spahr said punishing her sends the message that gay couples “are children of a lesser God.”

It should be noted and emphasized that this particular story pertains to just one Presbyterian denomination.  Not all American Presbyterians are members of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Unfortunately, too many Americans (including journalists) are unaware of that fact, and so whenever a PC(USA) controversy is reported in the national news, people are given the impression that the controversy pertains to all American Presbyterians. If you read the above-mentioned news story, you will see that it can give such an impression to its readers.

As I see it, plenty of Americans are naïve about the vast buffet of church groups that exist in the USA, and so they get the wrong idea about the diverse beliefs of church groups that use a common word in their names. Thus, whenever one church group becomes famous (or infamous) for its liberal policies, non-liberal church groups are harmed because not all people know the difference between the groups.

Just for the record, there are Presbyterian denominations in the USA that predate the formation of the PC(USA), and those other denominations don’t share the liberal beliefs of the PC(USA).

Indeed, the liberalism that permeates the PC(USA) has resulted in a significant exodus from the PC(USA). Not only have individual congregations lost members, but also, entire congregations have left the PC(USA) in response to the denomination’s embrace of liberalism.

That is how liberalism harms churches.

[Personal Note: I used to be a member of the PC(USA). It's liberalism drove me away.]

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Posted by on February 24, 2012.
Filed under Christianity, Gay Marriage, Leftist Tolerance, Religion, The Religious Left.
A refugee from Planet Melmac masquerading as a human. Loves cats*. In fair condition. A fixer-upper. Warranty still good. Not necessarily sane.[*Joke in reference to the TV sit-com "Alf", which featured a space alien who liked to eat cats. Disclaimer: No cats were harmed in the writing and posting of this profile.]

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  • SoBeRight

    It’s nice to hear that some churches evolve and change with the times.

    But the vote of 9-6 in favor of censuring this individual suggests your claim that liberalism permeates the church is just hateful rhetoric. Clearly that is not the case.

    • GarandFan

       Ever notice when you disagree with a liberal point of view it’s because you’re “hateful”?

      Or is this just projection?

    • Sky__Captain

      So you have first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of the (PC)USA?
      I would thin the 6 commission members voting against censuring the minister demonstrates the authors point about the liberalism of the PC(USA).

      I agree with GarandFan, the only “hateful rhetoric” in this thread so far is being spouted by you, little one.

      Are you going to threaten to ban me now?

  • ackwired

    I suspect that a great deal of damage has been done to people by those whose primary concern was the welfare of the institution of the church.  This is true of all denominations.  I wonder if Jesus had anything to say about it.

    • The_Weege_99

      I didn’t see concern for the church but for the Christianity it is teaching. Some Christians believe the Bible matters. Apparently, you believe in treating it like Democrats treat the Constitution – that it says, or doesn’t say, whatever you wish it to say or not say.

      • ackwired

        A gratuitous insult at the first opportunity.  I wonder if Jesus had anything to say about that.  It is my understanding that the authority lies in the congregation in the Presbyterian denomination.  I’m happy that you were able to find a congregation where you were more comfortable.

  • http://www.wizbangblog.com David Robertson

    There is much more going on in the PC(USA) than the censure of a retired minister. The schism in the denomination has been well documented by religious websites, and the cause of the schism has been liberal postions adopted by a significant number of PC(USA) presbyteries, one of which was adopted by the denomination’s General Assembly.

    It is not hateful to point out that liberalism has harmed churches. The fact that you disagree with what I say does not mean that what I say is motivated by hatred. The claim of “hatred” is nothing but a tactic used to prevent discussions and debates.

  • JD Mays

    I’m a member of an Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC).  We left the PCUSA as a result of their neglect of orthodox beliefs and tendency to pander to left wing political causes.  It’s great to be free!