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From: math1h3@JANE.UH.EDU (David H. Wagner)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: When SYSOPs Thunder
Message-ID: <Jun.2.23.47.54.1991.24914@athos.rutgers.edu>
Date: 3 Jun 91 03:47:55 GMT
Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu
Organization: University of Houston
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Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu

In article <May.30.00.32.07.1991.19270@athos.rutgers.edu>, lcrew@andromeda.rutgers.edu (Louie Crew) writes:
 
>Besides, many Christians disagree with the current majority view about
>homosexuality, and not just  the 10 percent of those of us who happen to be
>gay or lesbian; and dissenters far more clearly define that part of the
>Church in which I serve than do those whom you cite, Chuck....

"From the least to the greatest,
   all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
   all practice deceit.
They dress the wound of my people 
   as though it were not serious.
'Peace, peace,' they say,
   when there is no peace.
Are they not ashamed of their loathesome conduct?
   No, they have no shame at all;
   they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
   they will be brought down when they are punished,
      says the LORD.
...
Since my people are crushed, I am crushed;
  I mourn, and horror grips me.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
  Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no healing 
  for the wound of my people?"

These words of Jeremiah express some of the pain I feel, when a formerly
living and vital church shows it lacks the spiritual strength to expel
false teachers who want to dress people's spiritual wounds with false
comfort.

David H. Wagner
a confessional Lutheran		"The Church's one foundation
				Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
				She is His new creation
				By water and the Word.
				From heav'n he came and sought her
				To be His Holy bride;
				With His own blood they bought her,
				And for her life He died.

				"Though with a scornful wonder
				Men see her sore oppressed,
				By schisms rent asunder,
				By heresies distressed,
				Yet saints their watch are keeping;
				Their cry goes up, 'How long?'
				And soon the night of weeping
				Shall be the morn of song."
				--"The Church's One Foundation" v. 1,4
				--Samuel J. Stone, 1866.

My opinions and beliefs on this matter are disclaimed by
The University of Houston.

[Having permitted Louie's remarks, I can hardly refuse this, but I
have to say that I didn't have in mind replacing discussions on the
Biblical/theological justification or lack thereof for homosexuality
with trading condemnations.  --clh]