Presbyterian Panel survey:
Most Presbyterians oppose same-sex unions
Meanwhile, with 73 percent of vote in,
Amendment O trails, 53-74
[Comments on this survey
are offered by Doug Nave and Barbara
Kellam-Scott.]
by Jerry L. Van Marter, Presbyterian News Service
[published here 3-8-01]
LOUISVILLE -- March 2, 2001 -- Though
a constitutional amendment expressly prohibiting same-sex union
ceremonies in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is trailing in voting by the
denomination's 173 presbyteries, a recent Presbyterian Panel poll
indicates that a majority of Presbyterians favors such a ban.
The statistically valid poll of church members,
elders, pastors and specialized clergy (ordained ministers not serving
congregations), conducted last August by the PC(USA)'s Research Services
office, found that 57 percent of members, 61 percent of elders, 50
percent of pastors and 30 percent of specialized clergy agree that
"Presbyterian ministers should be prohibited from performing a
ceremony that blesses the union between two people of the same
sex."
Similar majorities -- 67 percent of members, 66
percent of elders and 53 percent of pastors -- along with one-third of
specialized clergy, agree that same-sex union ceremonies should not take
place in Presbyterian churches.
Unofficial tallies of the presbyteries' votes on
Amendment O -- the commonly-called "same sex unions" amendment
-- show the measure trailing by a vote of 53 in favor and 74 opposed, a
pattern that would spell defeat for the amendment if it continues.
Eighty-seven votes either way are needed to decide the fate of the
measure.
Presbytery debates indicate that the discrepancy
between the poll results and voting patterns may have to do with the
wording of the proposed amendment, which does not mention "same-sex
unions."
It would add a new section, W-4.9007, to The Book
of Order: "Scripture and our Confessions teach that God's
intention for all people is to live either in fidelity within the
covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or in chastity in
singleness. Church property shall not be used for, and church
officers shall not take part in conducting, any ceremony or event that
pronounces blessing or gives approval of the church or invokes the
blessing of God upon any relationship that is inconsistent with God's
intention as expressed in the preceding sentence."
Twenty-two presbyteries that in 1996-'97 voted for
Amendment B -- now G-60106b of The Book of
Order, which established "fidelity in marriage between a man
and a woman or chastity in singleness" as the sexual standard for
ordination -- have voted against Amendment O.
Opponents of the measure argue that it is so vaguely
worded as to possibly proscribe other ceremonies, such as baptisms,
funerals and the Lord's Supper for same sex couples; that it is
unnecessary because The Book of Order already defines marriage
as between a man and a woman; and that it unduly infringes upon the
pastoral responsibilities of pastors and sessions.
Proponents argue that a Permanent Judicial
Commission's decision last spring that same-sex union ceremonies are
allowable in the PC(USA) "as long as they are not considered the
same as marriage ceremonies" has created a loophole in The Book
of Order that must be closed.
