Hello Andrew, Andrew Alder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>At 11:39 PM 14/12/03 -0500, Jonathan Arthur wrote: > >>Andrew Alder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> >Hmmm. I think you presuppose here that a person in a homosexual >> >relationship *is* qualified for ordained ministry, or at least that they >> >can be. But as I understand it, that's the main question. >> >>Yes. As I see it, the qualifications for ordained ministry are independent >>of sexual orientation. >But I don't think *anyone* is denying that "the qualifications for ordained >ministry are independent of sexual orientation". (1) >What *is* in question is homosexual *practice*. But I think it's also >agreed that orientation and practice are related but separate issues. So >on one of these two issues, orientation, there is agreement. On the other, >practice, there is no agreement. I believe I understand what you are saying. However, I'd like to suggest the issue is *still* one of orientation. I think many of us agree that one of the qualifications for ordained ministry is adherance to certain standards (e.g. faithfulness) in regard to the expression of the individual's sexuality (of whatever orientation). However, the issue is whether these standards are the same for homosexual and heterosexual people. One perspective on this issue is that the standards differ. This is fundamentally about orientation again because, in this perspective, the person's orientation alters the standards to be applied. As I see it, these standards are independent of sexual orientation. Cheers, Jonathan PS I guess there is a secondary issue here where we agree the standards are independent, but don't agree on what the standards are. __________________________________________________________________ New! Unlimited Access from the Netscape Internet Service. Beta test the new Netscape Internet Service for only $1.00 per month until 3/1/04. Sign up today at http://isp.netscape.com/register Act now to get a personalized email address! Netscape. Just the Net You Need. ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/insights-l-information.htm ------------------------------------------------------
