More Complex than the coverage

In an article in the Bee this morning about a change in Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church.  The parish, which is one of the largest in the region, chose to separate from the denomination, based primarily on the full denomination's decisions relating to the ordination and marriage of gays.

What concerns me, as one who has a lot of friends in the congregation, is that it seems to ignore some major issues.   The separation of this parish and possibly others came about because of changes demanded by the liberal end of the denomination - several of the liberals in the denomination are quoted in the article. They are concerned that one or more congregations take their scripture seriously.  The decision of the parish was not taken lightly.  They first negotiated with the denomination to gain control of the property, but that was delayed because one of the more liberal pastors in the region tried to overturn the agreement. The language of the majority was conciliatory but dogmatic hardly a place to begin reconciliation.  In spite of the discussion of inclusion what the liberals really wanted was the real estate.  In the end the level of extortion (which is covered in the article) was a payment of $1.2 million.

Ultimately, a good many of the Protestant denominations have been taken over by the political left who argue that regardless of other's beliefs, their interpretations should prevail and persons with differing understandings of key issues, should simply shut up.  What all of these discussions point out is that majority decisions do not necessarily settle complex issues.   Had the liberals taken a bit more time and been more respectful of the conservative point of view, the decision by the Fair Oaks parish might not have happened.